Page 43 of Saint

Nix reached across the table and rested a hand over Yejun’s, instantly silencing him. “I won’t hurt you, June. I’m not my cousin. I care about you, for real. Even after what you did to me, I haven’t stopped caring. I just…needed some time and some space.”

“I scared you,” he repeated.

“Yeah.”

“You don’t have to force yourself to forgive me all at once,” Yejun said. “Knowing you’re willing to try at all already means a lot to me. I’m trying not to be greedy. I don’t want to force you, not again. Not like that day.”

Thank gods Lake was there because if he hadn’t been, there was no telling how far Yejun would have actually gone.He’d been so caught up in his own emotions, he’d ignored all of the signs that Nix was telling the truth. That Nix hadn’t used or tricked him like Iris had.

“Understanding why you acted the way you did is one thing,” Nix replied tentatively, easing his hand away and settling back into his seat. “But that doesn’t erase the damage you’ve done. It doesn’t magically make the way you made me feel vanish. Sometimes, it’s hard being around you, Yejun.”

“Will you come back to the studio?” It was probably too soon to ask, but he wanted Nix to know how he was feeling. Didn’t want to hide behind bravado anymore. “I’ll leave the door open, you don’t have to be sealed in alone with me. I miss those quiet moments. I miss you keeping me company while I work.”

Nix quirked a brow. “And the sex?”

“I miss that too,” he said without skipping a beat. “But I know better than to ask for that. I just want to be with you again—in a nonsexual way, I mean. Will you come?”

He thought about it, and just when Yejun felt for sure his heart was going to explode from his chest from the wait, Nix picked up the small gold fork and took a bite of the cake. “Maybe. I mean, a deal is a deal, and you did make Lake.”

Yejun frowned.

“Come, I mean,” Nix added with a grin.

“At least you’re joking with me again.” That was a good sign. “Do you want anything else aside from the cake?”

“A burger and fries.”

“You got it.” Yejun stood but before he could take more than one step away, Nix’s voice stopped him.

“If your mom ever hits you like that again,” he said quietly. “Call me.”

He cocked his head. “Why, Firebird? What are you going to do, light her on fire?”

The corner of Nix’s mouth tipped up, but the look in his eyes was steely. “Something like that.”

West had been right the other day.

Nix fit right in.

Chapter 13:

The house was quiet when Nix got there. He took his time removing his shoes at the door before heading up to Lake’s bedroom. Nerves ate away at him, but there was also anticipation, and this strong sense that something important was about to happen.

As much as he hated admitting it, mostly because it was barbaric and controlling, the Night of the Nightshade had turned him on. Really, he couldn’t be blamed, could he? He was the intended sacrifice, after all. If not for Juri stepping forward, it would have been Nix led up that spiral staircase earlier.

Would Lake have been the one to take him there?

Or would it have had to be all three?

That thought doused some of the fire licking at his lower region, but not enough to get him to change his mind. Birthdays were meant to be special, that was how Nix had been raised, andthis was the only thing he could think of that the Imperial might actually want.

It didn’t hurt that he was thinking ahead. If he treated Lake well for his special day, there was a good chance that consideration would be returned once Nix’s birthday came around. Getting the upper hand, no matter the means, was never a bad idea.

He carefully took off and folded his clothes, setting them off to the side before climbing onto the bed. The skylight above showed a darkening sky, and he vaguely wondered if Yejun had made it to the match yet.

Nix hadn’t expected to see the Demon at the hospital, but he’d been more surprised when he’d realized the older woman Yejun was with was mostly likely his mother. Curiosity had gotten the better of him and he’d stuck around, though he’d been telling the truth when he’d said he couldn’t hear much of their conversation.

Yejun had seemed like he was barely holding himself together during the entire exchange though. It’d been odd, watching him contain himself, seeing his pinched expression and the way he held himself stiff as his mother talked down to him.

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