Page 65 of Love's Ace

“We need a place close enough to Love’s Ace that I can keep an eye on it, so we know when it’s clear to sneak in. We’ll just have to be careful. Don’t worry—I found a house we can stay in this time.” Thank the gods for technology and the fact I could pay fora few weeks’ stay somewhere nicer than a shitty hotel. At least we wouldn’t have to worry about Theo running into other people then.

“Can webethat careful?”

We had to be more than careful. That close to the apartment building, there was every chance another cupid would see Theo at some point, but one thing I’d been trained on my entire life was the fact that cupids didn’t attack one another, that we never fought our brothers and sisters.

I knew if it came down to it, I would break that law if one of them found Theo and attacked. Breaking those laws had never been a possibility in my mind before. Now, it almost felt inevitable.

“We’ll be fine.”

I wondered if he could taste the lie on my tongue the same way I could feel the pain streak through his chest again.

“Wren…” Theo’s voice was still soft, trailing off like he didn’t have the strength to question me anymore. His eyes were still on the ground, the fear of looking up and catching sight of someone who would trigger his anger so palpable it was painful to see.

At least I could takethatfear away, for now.

“Shh, come on. We can talk once we’re inside.”

“I—” I wrapped my arms around him and let my aura spread over both of us. As soon as his fingers skated the length of my spine, my wings sprang free like they’d been anxious to feel his touch, and I let out a soft, shuddery sigh.

I wasn’t going to get tired of how it felt. The way his digits, gently brushing against the base of those muscles, were nearly enough to make me dizzy. I took a deep breath and launched us into the air instead of lingering on the sensation.

Later.

Later, when we were safe… Maybe then.

Theo let out a sigh and pressed his face to the crook of my neck. He seemed to respond to flight the same way I did—his body relaxed against mine, his arms holding me tight, but the tension drained away the higher we took to the air.

It was almost a shame that it was such a short flight, because touching down on the ground in front of the house brought back the worry the cool air had stolen away.

Theo was silent beside me as I punched in the code I’d gotten on my phone to grab the keys, and he was quiet as we took the few bags we had—and my weaponry—to the bedroom, once we’d made sure there was no one else in the house.

It was better than the hotel rooms… and I had to admit it was almost a relief when I dropped my bow onto one nightstand by the bed and Theo threw his backpack onto the other. We hadn’t really discussed anything, hadn’t made what was happening between us clear…

But he wasn’t going to one of the other bedrooms. He wasn’t trying to put distance between us.

He actually collapsed onto the bed and threw his arm over his face as soon as he drew the bedroom curtain, and his voice came out muffled when he spoke.

“I know you know this isn’t safe.”

He sounded soft, and a little disgruntled. There was a moment where I hesitated, where I wasn’t sure what kind of response to give. I was used to replying to everything with sarcasm, with an air of apathy that would make anyone realize I didn’t give a shit about the danger.

I usuallywouldn’thave.

But this was different, and I knew the reason why. Before, I’d only had to worry about myself.

And now…

Well…

I sat down on the bed and gently traced the curve of Theo’s arm where it covered his face, moving to thread my fingers through the brown strands of his hair and squeeze gently until I felt the tension leach from his body.

I never knew that touching someone could actually feel so good.

He slowly lowered his hand so he could look at me over his forearm, and I didn’t miss the faintest flicker of red in his dark gaze, proof that we had to figure this out sooner rather than later. Still, his expression softened when I carefully stroked through his hair again—these gentle touches were as foreign to him as they were to me.

“Maybe it isn’t safe, but it doesn’t feel dangerous right now, does it?” I kept my voice light, a gentle tease.

His eyes narrowed.

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