Page 134 of Emylia

“Actually, I do.”

“It’s not like we were playing hide the pickle,” Sebastian said casually.

I choked. My face went up in flames. “Bastian.”

“Oh, sorry,” he added innocently. “I meant—sating the beast, slipping the pork sword into its sheath, draining the venom from the viper.”

“Sebastian!” My voice was a shrill squeak as I caught the puremurderin Maalikai’s eyes.

Sebastian just shrugged like Maalikai’s presence was barely worth noticing. “He didn’t acknowledge me, so I thought I’d help clarify. You did want me to be helpful didn’t you?”

I stepped between them, red-faced and fuming. “We didn’t have sex! I had sex with neither of you!”

“Well, that’s a relief,” Sebastian quipped. “Because judging by your little light show last night, I wasn’t impressed. Or maybe that’s why she chose me to stay–she needed someone who knew how to actually finish her.”

“I swear to the Gods, if you sayone more word, I will strike you down with lightning where you stand.”

“I was just trying to be helpful.” Sebastian said, a dangerous smile flickering up the corner of his mouth, like he already knew how this would end.

“Like Nexus you were,” I snapped, my voice shaking. “You’re being childish.”

But I remembered Maalikai’s words from the night before. The ones about whose name I had screamed. And maybe I understood now. Maybe this was his way of leaving a mark—his own brand of reckless, desperate love.

Infuriatingly, Sebastian’s smile only grew.

“Do you hear that?” he said, cocking his head toward the hall. “Sounds like someone’s coming.”

My heart dropped. I turned toward the shattered doorframe.

Footsteps. Approaching fast.

Gods-damn it.

Sebastian took one slow, deliberate step toward Maalikai, eyes blazing.

“And just so you’re clear—” he said softly, “it was my name on her lips last.”

“I don’t think I want to know.” Startled, my gaze caught on the dark looming figure standing in the doorway–my uncle.

His eyes swept over the three of us, lingering on Sebastian–still shirtless. He didn’t say a word, but the crinkle at the corners of his eyes said everything.

Amused.

Knowing.

Dangerous.

“I see that you somehow got through a locked door, just add that to the list of defenses I will have to update to keep you out of trouble.” Uncle Thrainn’s words were serious, but his eyes glinted mischievously.

“I didn’t do anything,” I shot back.

His eyes travelled over Sebastian then landed on Maalikai.

Rubbing the back of his neck with his hand, Maalikai looked entirely guilty. “Ah yeah, that may’ve been me.”

“Oh really, and what makes you thinkyoucan defy my orders?” Disapproval rumbled out of my uncle as he crossed his arms over his chest.

Maalikai straightened like this wasn’t the most awkward moment of my entire existence. “Thought someone might be... attacking.”

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