Page 71 of The Devil's Hunt

"Apparently, it's mine too," I muttered.

"You're in good company," he nodded toward Kai and Theo. "You're one of us now," Archer reassured me. "You're drawn to those who share the same darkness, or maybe it's the other way around."

"What do you mean?"

"Maybe we are all drawn to you." He reached out and placed his hand on my cheek. "My queen."

With those words, his hand slowly moved down my neck, and his lips found their way to mine. I felt his hands move around my neck, and when he pulled away, I followed his gaze to my chest. A ruby heart pendant rested heavily around my neck.

"Wh-What is this?" I asked, tracing my fingers over the smooth heart.

He smiled, a secretive look in his eyes. "I had this made for you. It's a blood ruby. A reminder that I belong to you."

"Oh," I breathed, running my fingers over the delicate chain. "This is...beautiful. You didn't have to get me anything. I have no doubts about the two of us."

"If you ever do…" His voice trailed off, and he got a distant look in his eyes.

I cupped his cheek with my hand. "Don't disappear on me."

He blinked and looked at me, confused. "What?"

"When you disappear into your mind like just now. Please don't leave me behind. Take me with you."

Archer's eyes softened, and he leaned in closer, brushing his lips against mine. "I'll never leave you behind, Mila. You're my anchor."

I nodded, accepting his promise as his words sank into my heart. It was then that I realized how much faith I had in us.

"Tell me about your mother."

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "She's...intimidating."

"Kind of like you, then?"

He chuckled, a small smile lifting the corners of his lips. "I guess so."

"What's she like?" I asked curiously, leaning closer to him.

Archer's eyes flickered with a distant memory, his gaze lost momentarily before he spoke. "She's strong, like you. A force to be reckoned with. She raised us to be the best, to never back down, and to always fight for what we believed in."

"Sounds like she's proud of her children."

"She is. But when it comes to me, she's always been more cautious. I'm the baby, you know? The wild one. But I promise you, Mila, she'll love you as much as she loves the rest of us."

"I'm sure she's lovely," I said, but my words were filled with doubt.

Archer smiled, his green eyes twinkling. "Once she meets you, I have no doubt she will be thrilled that I've finally found the woman I've been searching for."

"I hope so," I murmured, finishing my drink and pouring another glass.

"And honestly," he whispered, his breath warm on my skin as his lips brushed against the sensitive spot below my ear, "It's not every day your baby boy brings home a queen to present to his family."

"And what about your father?" I asked, trying to ignore the buzz of the champagne flowing through my veins and the goosebumps he had caused as he touched the spots he knew drove me wild.

"Fuck my father," he growled, his grip on me tightening. "Just smile and try to avoid him as much as possible," he grumbled, his mood suddenly soured. He shifted and rested his back against the seat, and it felt like there were miles between us.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you," I apologized, reaching out to touch him.

He shrugged off my hand and turned away, his jaw clenched in anger. I took it as a sign to leave him be and joined the others in conversation. But every so often, I caught glimpses of him staring at me.

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