Page 106 of Ink Deep Devotion

“We’re going to need more drinks.” She holds her cup up and signals for the stewardess, who nods.

I watch as she blinks rapidly as if she’s arguing with herself mentally. Whatever secrets lie in her past are her biggest struggle, and I’ve seen it play out over the weeks we have shared a dorm.Honestly, I think she fights sociopathic tendencies. I’ve seen her have no empathy at all, but then, at times like this, she mentors me. Sure, it’s twisted and sinister, but it’s the thought that counts.

“Someone tore me down,” Nova mutters, she stares at the ice in her plastic cup with so much hate it should melt it.“Someone betrayed me, then burned me. They turned me to ashes,” Her fingers squeezed the cup, bending the plastic.

“And then what happened?”

She raises the cup to her mouth and begins to chew on the ice.“I took all my ashes, mixed them with my tears, and formed a clay. Then I sculpted myself to stand again, and then I used the memories as fuel.”

The urge to hug her is overwhelming. But I know Nova would shove me away if I hugged her.“Is this person at Empire University?” I dare to ask.

She glances down at me, eyes narrowed and cold. They blink with a warning to tread lightly.

I swallow.“Was it Titan?” I whisper and wait with bated breath. Nova and Titan have this whole dark delight going on. They flirt by threatening each other. It’s no secret on campus that Titan has marked Nova as his. No one except me speaks toNova in fear Titan will destroy them. I should be worried, but I know Nova is likely the only woman who can handle Titan King, and she likes his twisted attention.

“I haven’t asked Titan anything regarding you.” I add. I want to help her, and I feel an obligation to. She’s like this wild cat that has been living alone. She uses her claws because that’s the only thing that has kept her alive. She never speaks of her past; all I know is what I googled, which told me her parents died in a helicopter crash, but like most kids here, I don’t think Nova was close to her parents. That isn’t what broke her.

“Why?” Her lips press thin.

I reach out and touch her forearm.“Because you’re my friend, too.”

She looks ahead as if that word pains her.

“Was it Titan?” I ask again.

“No.” She reaches for my drink and gulps it down.

“If you ever need to talk about it, your secrets are safe with me.”

“How sweet.” She hisses mockingly. There are those claws again. Like me, Nova isn’t used to having girlfriends; we both approach it differently. She lashes out while I keep trying to hug her.

I always try to save wild beasts because, deep down, I am one, and no matter how feral I become, I just want to know someone will save me in the end.

???

I’m tipsy.

No, I’m drunk.Oops, that’s the wall. Walk straight, come on, you can do it.

"Is the hallway tipping?"

"No, that's your sanity finally taking a ride down the slide." Nova chuckles. "Don't worry, being insane is fun, and it's the perfect excuse for acting the way we do."

We drank way too much after we had our little heart to heart, and then we laughed so much I think I sculpted a six-pack from all my giggling on the plane ride home.

As I push open our door, it flies open.“Whoops!” I stumble forward, laughing into strong arms that catch me. Icy blue eyes burn a hole in me.“Why do you always catch me at the wrong time, Dash King?” I slump into his arms, relishing in the flexing of his muscles as he holds me to him.

“Just let me fall… asleep in my bed so I can dream of you.” I am so tired and hungry. I should eat before I drink so much.

“What did you do?”

He’s pissed. Shocking, I know.I try to roll my eyes, but I’m so drunk I think I blink inside.“Why do you have to speak?” I reach up and touch his mouth.“Why can’t you just shut up and kiss me?”

Nova snorts as she bends over, laughing.

“I’m not drunk. I’m tippy...tipping,” I squeeze my eyes shut. "Tipsy, that’s the one. Okay, maybe I am a little drunk,” I mutter.

“Where were you?” Dash roars, hands gripping me tight, then tenderly as he checks me for any sign of injury.“You didn’t answer my calls. You left the state without telling me.” He shouts.

---