Page 194 of Bane of the Wild Hunt

“You don’t need to thank me! I was honoured to be in your confidence,” I reassured him honestly.

He was quiet for another long time, looking so pensive that I began to get nervous again.

“I should not have kissed you,” he said, and my heart absolutely plummeted just as fast as it had begun to soar. “You were right. I… I was feeling a lot of emotion, and I did not know how to express it. So… Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For seeing my truth and for being sensitive to how I was acting and feeling in that moment,” he clarified.

I did not know what to do with the confusing medley of relief, guilt, and dismay that squeezed my heart, so I merely lowered my head and nodded. I did not want him to see the brittleness of my emotions just then. I didn’t even trust my voice enough to speak.

“I had no right to kiss you like that during a time when I was… overcome. But I also cannot forget… how it felt. Or how you kissed me back.”

Holy fuck.Holy fuck.

“But of course, I kissed you back,” I managed to reply, impressed when I managed to keep my voice calm, and I raised my eyes to him. I had no idea what to make of his expression that was somehow hard and uncertain.

“I have not been kind to you,” he insisted.

“But I have seen who you really are when it is just you and Riordan,” I admitted tentatively, and he turned his head to look at me in surprise. “And you cannot blame me for wanting to know that person more. He is protective, loyal, and sweet. He smiles easily and laughs often.”

Orion was so shocked that it was a moment before he could recover himself and look away from me.

“Don’t say things like that to me,” he said softly.

“Why not? It is true. And if all you ever allow me is friendship, then I will take it because I’ve seen what kind of friend you are. I’d be honoured,” I continued softly.

He did not seem to know how to respond, and I knew he must not fully trust my words. I ached to promise him it would be alright. I would never hurt him. But I had no doubt that he would bolt if I tried to push too much.

“I also wanted you to know, if it… means anything, that I did not only kiss you because I was overwhelmed. The emotion only gave me the impulse to act on what I’d been feeling for some time,” Orion admitted softly.

I could not draw in a breath, much less give an answer, for many long moments.

“It means something to me,” I insisted, glancing up to meet his nervous eyes.

I saw his relief before he looked away, and I wanted to reach for him, but I could tell by the stiffness of his body that he did not want to be touched just then. There was more that he needed to tell me.

“I am not… Amira, the truth is I have never been with a woman by choice. I feel safer with male lovers.”

“I understand that!” I told him. “But… Riordan says love is more than sex, and I did mean what I said before. If all I ever have from you is friendship, then I would find such joy in that, Orion.”

His handsome face softened, and the corner of his full mouth curved slightly as if he were amused, but he did not look at me. And yet, I was helpless to look away from him as the tension bled out of his body, and he leaned a little more comfortably against the tree.

“I do not wantonlyfriendship, Amira. I only need… time and patience,” he clarified.

Holy fuck.

“I think… I could manage,” I replied after a moment, making sure my voice was light and playful rather than rough and eager with my excitement.

His smile widened, andgods, he really was gorgeous when he smiled. Even if it was still a bit fragile looking, and he had not turned it fully on me yet.

But I could not help grinning as I looked ahead toward Riordan to see if he had noticed we were talking.

Instead, my eyes were drawn to the portal. I had been too distracted to notice the sky in the Spring Court had begun to look rather terrifying.

I squinted at it, tilting my head in confusion when I saw the way it was moving. Roiling as if it were a black fog writhing beyond a transparent veil.

“What isthat?” I asked Orion, and he lifted his head to look in the same direction.

---