Page 69 of Avidian
We make it back home,and Malachi heads straight for the fireplace, stacking logs and coaxing a fresh fire to life. The crackling warmth fills the room, and I can’t help but plop down on the big, fluffy rug right in front of it, kicking off my boots and pulling my beanie from my hair.
“Tonight might have been one of the best nights I’ve ever had,” I admit, stretching my legs out toward the fire’s glow.
Malachi sits down beside me, the light casting shadows over his sharp features. “Me too.”
I scoff, shaking my head with a laugh. “Malachi Volkov, rich and charming. I’m sure you’ve had countless nights far better than this one.”
But he doesn’t laugh. Instead, he leans in, brushing his fingers through my hair, tucking the loose strands behind my ear. His touch is so gentle it steals the air from my lungs.
“Yeah,” he murmurs, his dark-brown eyes locking with mine, “but the company is what made tonight so great.”
I smile, feeling strangely shy even though I don’t know why. “Tell me what you were like as a child,” I ask, changing the subject. I can only imagine how awful it must have been growing up with Orin as a brother.
Malachi tilts his head back, thinking for a moment before answering. “Hmm, I guess I was a bit of a dick,” he admits, the corner of his mouth quirking up. “But Aunt Irina whipped me into shape. My father would say she made me soft, but I think that’s because I don’t have the stomach for the things my brothers do.”
He stretches out beside me, and I can’t help but smile at the idea of a young Malachi—mischievous but with a good heart, already resisting the darkness of his family. “If I stay here, would you want me to join Solace? Be on your team?” I ask, watching his face closely.
His expression shifts, and he looks away toward the fire, the flames flickering in his eyes. “It’s dangerous,” he says. “I wouldn’t stop you if it’s what you wanted, but I don’t want to see you get hurt either.”
I lean my head on his shoulder, letting the warmth of the fire and his presence soothe me. “It can’t be any more dangerous than what my life has been until now,” I point out.
He doesn’t answer right away but moves his arm, draping it around me and pulling me closer to his side. The weight of it feels grounding, protective in a way I’m not used to.
“You’re nothing like what I expected, you know,” he says.
I glance up at him. “What do you mean?”
He looks down at me, his gaze steady but thoughtful. “I don’t know. The way my father spoke about you, I thought you would be…different.”
I turn to face him fully, raising a brow. “Different how?”
His lips twitch into a small smile. “Colder, maybe. Hardened by everything you’ve been through. But you’re not. You’re strong, but you’re also warm. Kind.”
I can see how serious he is. “You’re not what I expected either,” I finally say.
“Good unexpected or bad unexpected?” he asks, the teasing lilt back.
I laugh softly, shaking my head. “Good,” I whisper, steeling a glance back at him.
“Have you ever been in love?” The question escapes before I can stop myself.
Malachi’s brows knit together as he leans back, his fingers absently running along the seam of the couch. “I don’t think so,” he finally says, his gaze fixed on the fire. “I’ve been in relationships, cared for people, but love? I wouldn’t go that far.”
I tug my knees up, wrapping my arms around them as I try to shake the surprised feeling.
“What about you?” He shifts slightly, angling himself toward me. A faint smirk curves his lips, softening the weight of his question. “Has the clever demon ever been in love?”
I laugh quietly, running a hand through my hair to buy myself a second to answer. “Once,” I admit.
He tilts his head, his interest sparking. “Really?”
“Really.”
His gaze sharpens, studying me like he’s trying to peel back my layers. “I’m surprised,” he says. “Given?—”
“Given that I’ve been in captivity for eight years,” I cut him off, smirking slightly to hide the sting behind it. “You can say it. It’s true.”
Malachi exhales softly, his hand dragging over his jaw. “So who was he?” He hesitates then adds, “Where is he now?”
