Page 91 of Entranced By the Basilisks

“Not yet. I misspoke.”

Armand gives me a look that tells me he isn’t convinced, but I ignore it.

“Sigmund thinks you’re on his side. Are you?”

Armand snorts. “My job is to keep Sigmund from starting trouble.”

“And you think he’ll start trouble with me?”

“It’s not even a question. It’s awhen,” he says like it’s a law of nature and I suppose it is.

There’s a small amount of bitterness dredged up that Sigmund’s ire and abuse are so well known among serpent kin, but Ari was the only one to ever do anything about it.

“And if he comes after me, you’ll what? Stop him? Join him?”

“Remind him that the head of the Circle would be displeased.”

So, no. He wouldn’t stand between me and Sigmund. Ari is the only one who will do that.

“We will be at the presentation,” I say.

“Of course you will.”Or I’ll make you.The subtext is clear and unmistakable, but it just makes me tired. All the posturing and politics of our kind make me tired.

Armand takes a step back, expecting me to continue my trek to the library.

Suddenly and viscerally, I regret that I’m on my way to the library instead of heading home to Emilia and Ari. The encounter with Armand brings into focus how limited our time may be together. Or maybe I just crave the press of Emilia’s soft body and Ari’s sharp command. Either way, a wave of homesickness hits me.

I freeze midstep toward the library.Why can’t I go back to them?Why do I need to forsake my yearning for them? My staff has been handling everything remarkably well, so well in fact that it makes me wonder if my frenzied pace of working was ever actually needed. Had I worked myself so hard all of these years to make up for the absence of things in my life? Every time I pulled myself away from Ari, I’d throw myself into work to forget the ache of it. To reinforce that the position the library gives me in life is the only thing that can’t be taken away from me.

But things have changed.

The library isn’t the most important thing in my life anymore. I have a home and someday, if the Circle doesn’t do anything catastrophic, I will have mates. I don’t want to always be away at work.

I inhale and a freeing sensation lifts my chest. I may always have the instinct to be a workaholic, but our life together won’t be me always working late. I refuse to sacrifice the triad we’re forming for anything, even the career I’ve worked so hard for.

I turn and head back home. I send a quick text to Agnes, and she lets me know that there’s nothing that needs my attention today and I should have an actual vacation. I tell her I plan to.

Armand’s eyes follow me. The attention flares against my senses. He probably thinks I’m heading back to warn them that I’m being followed and why. Let him think that.

I will be warning Ari and Emilia, but that’s not the reason for my redirection.

I want my mates.

* * *

“No,that delivery date is not satisfactory. The buyer wants it by the week of the fifteenth or no sale,” Ari’s voice is stern from the kitchen and a spark of heat hits me.

I follow his voice to find him sitting at the counter with his laptop open.

He catches sight of me in the doorway and his mouth curves in a warm smile before the speaker on the phone says something that displeases him, and he snarls. The masochistic part of me that enjoys Ari’s ire as much as his kindness has my body tightening.

“That would be very informative if I or the buyer cared. Do what you have to in order to hit that date or consider this transaction void.” Ari hangs up without a farewell and then his gaze is back on me, making my lower belly tight with anticipation.

“You’re back early,” he says.

My throat tightens, but I keep my reasons to myself. Ari is fully committed to this triad, but the feeling in my heart is soft and vulnerable. It’s easier to focus on other things even while basking in the company of my mates. “Armand was following me.”

Ari’s brow creases in confusion and I want to roll my eyes.

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