Page 21 of The Bonds of Nyx

I huffed and grumbled, “I thought we were talking about Kerry.”

“No, now we’re talking about a certain Prince Charming, whose shirt you currently have.”

“How’d you know it was his?” I asked, brows furrowing as I sat up.

She shrugged. “Mint. It’s like, overwhelming and all him.”

I sniffed the air, and while I could faintly smell it, there was nothing overwhelming about the shirt. “Sure,” I drawled, scooting off the bed. “I’m going to change. Elias thinks the shirt will help with the nightmares.”

I barely caught the way Thea’s brows rose up into her hairline before I locked myself in the ensuite. I flipped the light on and stared at myself in the mirror.

“God, what a mess,” I muttered, shaking my head. What were people seeing when they looked at me? Surely not the future Queen. Surely not someone who is supposed to sit on a throne and…rule the entire supernatural race?

I could barely handle nightmares. How was I supposed to be a leader?

I sighed and quietly got ready for bed, donning Adrian’s shirt and letting his scent envelop me. Even if I didn’t fully believe Elias, I couldn’t deny the slight comfort it brought.

~

Little was available at the safe house to keep the kids entertained. Yet, Eloise was set on making sure they weren’t completely cooped up in Kerry’s bedroom all day.

“We want a picnic,” Eloise stated, her hands on her hips as she stared Thea and me down in the kitchen.

Thea raised her brows, glanced at me, and then turned to face Eloise fully. “Oh?”

“Fresh air is good, and there’s nothing to do here.” Eloise lifted her chin, though I could see the exhaustion in her blue eyes. “We’ve been stuck inside for days, and it’s unhealthy.”

Thea and I shared a look. Sympathy pooled in my friend’s eyes as she pressed her lips into a line.

“I think that sounds like a good idea,” I replied, turning back to Eloise. “Good thinking.”

Eloise blew out a slow breath. “I can get the girls ready.”

“Any special requests?” Thea asked, motioning towards the empty kitchen. “I can whip up something fun for us.”

My sister hummed under her breath for a moment before shaking her head. “Maybe something sweet.”

“Okay, go get the girls, and we’ll prepare the rest,” I said, wringing my hands as she rushed out of the kitchen and towards the stairs. Once she was out of earshot, I turned to Thea. “You get started. I’m just going to let someone know the plan.”

“Right,” Thea replied, nodding. “Can’t let them think you got kidnapped ten feet from the house.”

I snorted and rolled my eyes. “I’ll be back soon.”

The large layout of the safe house confused me. There were bedrooms on both floors, two offices—one occupied by Maeve, the other for teamwork I assumed—and the basement. It didn’t feel right going and disturbing Maeve, considering how much she was already doing for me, so I instead turned towards the basement.

There was a gym down there, and I assumed whoever wasn’t out on patrol would likely be there. I punched in the code to the security door, which I’d been given when we’d arrived, and waited for the click of the lock turning before pushing it open.

The light in the stairwell automatically flickered on and guided me down towards the garage. The smell of diesel and metal tickled my nose as I made my way down and was quickly met with the thumping of fists against a punching bag and soft grunts.

I followed the sounds and stopped when Rowan came into sight. He wasn’t alone, joined by a dark-skinned Indian woman, who held tight to the bag he was currently punching. Her nose twitched, and she looked up briefly, our eyes meeting.

“Time,” she said, her voice hard as she stepped back from the bag and Rowan. “I’ll give you two a moment.”

My chest gave a sharp tug as he watched her move away to a table set up in the corner. His brow furrowed in confusion, before his gaze swung in my direction. He paused with his hands on his hips.

“Ivy?” he asked, taking a step towards me. “Is everything okay?”

Mouth dry, I nodded. “Yeah,” I replied, trying to offer him a reassuring smile. “I was just hoping to talk to one of you about something.”

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