Page 56 of A Debt of Darkness

“You don’t need to prove anything to anyone. You’re perfect. My equal—and I’m so fucking proud of you, lea.”

The room freezes, but it doesn’t.

Ivy snaps her head up and looks at me in the way I’d feared and hoped for, making all my dreams come true and giving me the terrible power to break her heart. The same dreadful power she’s held over me since the moment I first saw her.

Ryan and Matt stare at me, mouths open in surprise, stunned into silence, unable to believe what they’ve heard.

I ignore them, giving the girl I hated who’s become my everything all my attention. She’s more than I deserve and everything I dreamed, and I’d give anything for her—and my heart beats for the first time in centuries as my little lion purrs against my chest.

17

CHANGING HER

HENRY

Ivy cups her mug and drinks her tea, slurping ever so slightly. It’s adorable and even Ryan’s melting. She’s irresistible and my second keeps staring at her as if she’s an unsolvable puzzle he can’t bring himself to abandon.

I smirk, because I know the feeling.

Ivy’s extraordinary, and not because she’s my mate. I’ve never met anyone as captivating or infuriating in all the centuries I’ve lived through—and she’s slurping her tea, completely oblivious to how fucking magnificent she is.

The afternoon passed easily after the tension died down. Ivy’s been clingy and I adore it. I’d happily let her follow me around like a lost puppy and I’m tempted to get her a collar and leash. One designed for her. That no one else has ever worn and is set with rubies. My cock loves the idea, and it’s all I’ve been thinking about for the last hour.

I am so indisputably fucked.

Matt rolls his eyes at Ryan, interrupting one of his stories. He’s modified the ones he’s told, leaving out the gore and setting them in today’s world. He’s also made me out to be a bumbling idiot, and Ivy’s laughing wildly at the grossly exaggerated tales of my misfortune.

“I think we should go.”

“I haven’t finished…” Ryan’s protest is cut short when Matt slides next to him and grabs his thigh.

Ryan laces his fingers through Matt's and their affection becomes obvious. I glance at Ivy, uncertain how she’ll react. She might not have noticed their warmth before and some humans still hold odd beliefs.

Ivy's eyes lock onto their interwoven hands and then dart up to their faces.

“Are you...”

Ryan turns and edges forward, putting his body between Ivy and his partner. It's subtle but clear as daylight if you know what to look for.

“Married?”

Matt throws his head back and laughs as the tension breaks. Ryan experiences Ivy's unrivaled capacity to surprise, as she asks a question that negates the need to ask more. The thought that their relationship could cause a problem hasn’t even crossed her mind and she's offering unconditional acceptance as if it's the most normal thing in the world.

“No,” Ryan says, too shocked to say more than one syllable.

“He needs to work harder if he wants that,” Matt teases. “And his brooding ass needs to lighten up.”

Ivy giggles and Ryan shakes his head, complaining Matt has a lot of work to do too.

“Come on,” Matt says, hauling Ryan to his feet. “They need time alone. So do we.”

My second stares at me and insists we need to talk. Alone. Ivy hitches a breath and she's nervous, suddenly fiddling with her hands.

“I'll be outside, lea. I won't lock the door.”

She exhales and nods, and I glare at Ryan, annoyed he's made her uncomfortable. The door shuts behind us and I listen for any indication she's panicking. Ivy hasn't tolerated being alone since her confinement, and I’m hoping it’s the lock that’s triggering her response.

“That was a clusterfuck,” Ryan hisses. “We all get possessive over our partners, but for fuck’s sake, Henry, control yourself.”

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