Page 26 of No Honor Amongst Shifters
Unfortunately, he couldn’t do that.He wasn’t even sure he’d be there.He’d push to be, but Elijah’s main concern was protecting his clan members, and Roslin was one of them.He’d have to obey Elijah’s orders, so if Elijah told him to stay home, that was what he’d do.
Luckily, Elijah was reasonable.Roslin was sure that if he asked to stay with Alcott, he’d be allowed to.Elijah would probably warn him that it would put him in danger, but Roslin expected it.They would all have to fight for their lives, including the human clan members.He could be useful through his psychic ability, and he was willing to put himself in danger to help the clan and protect Alcott.
Knowing that in just a few days, they’d be sneaking into cockatrice territory and attacking them and the coven meant that Roslin was running out of time.If he wanted something more with Alcott before the fight, he needed to talk to him.If he stayed silent, he might never know what might have happened between them.
He wasn’t planning on dying, and he hoped nothing would happen to Alcott, either, but he couldn’t ignore the fact that it was a possibility.Roslin had never been into this kind of fight.He’d never faced cockatrices and mages.If it wasn’t for his brothers, he’d have left the clan as soon as he realized how much trouble they were in.
But this was where all of them belonged.It was their home.
Elijah would be working most of the night, but there was little everyone else could do except wait for his orders.That meant that once they were done talking, Alcott could be walked back to his room.Misha offered to do it, but he didn’t look surprised when Roslin volunteered, too.
“Take care of him,” he said softly as they both watched Alcott talk to Terrence.
“I’ll do my best, but I’m only human.”
“Alcott’s capable of protecting himself physically.I was talking about his heart.”
Roslin didn’t know how to answer that.Luckily, he didn’t have to because Elijah called Misha over, and Misha rushed to him after patting Roslin’s shoulder.Roslin didn’t have to wait long for Alcott to realize that he was standing there alone and say goodbye to Terrence.He was fretting when he reached Roslin, which was endearing.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were waiting for me?”he asked.
“It’s fine.I don’t have anything else to do at the moment.”
“We should all get some sleep.I don’t know if we’ll attack tomorrow or in a few days, but we need to be ready.”
“Does that mean you’ll be going straight to bed after this?”
Alcott’s cheeks flushed, and he looked away.Roslin was learning how to deal with him, so he knew to give him some space.That was fine with him.He liked walking with Alcott even when the two of them didn’t say anything.The silence wasn’t as awkward as it might have been with someone else.Roslin wasn’t wondering whether or not he should say something or what he should say.
Well, hewaswondering all those things, but waiting a few more minutes wouldn’t change anything.
Alcott was still silent when they reached his bedroom.He paused at the door and waited for Roslin to unlock and open it, then turned toward him.He bit his lower lip but didn’t say anything.It was clear he wasn’t ready, and Roslin didn’t mind taking over.“Can I say something?”
Alcott shrugged but didn’t look at him.It wasn’t a no, so Roslin decided to say what was on his mind.
“I know we haven’t talked about the case or anything else when it comes to us, and I’m not sure you want to do it now considering what’s waiting for us, but I wanted to tell you that you matter to me.If we both make it out alive, I’d like to see where things go between us and if we can have a future together.I know you’re planning on leaving, but maybe you don’t have to.”
Roslin didn’t say he’d follow if Alcott left because he didn’t want to push him too hard.Besides, it wasn’t something he’d given a lot of thought to.It would be ridiculous for him to follow a man he wasn’t dating, right?
Alcott opened his mouth, then snapped it shut.He looked a little lost, so Roslin decided to make it easier on him.He leaned forward and pressed his lips against Alcott’s forehead, then stepped back.“I’ll go down to the kitchen to get some food.I’ll be right back.”
Alcott nodded.He didn’t try to stop Roslin when he walked away, but that was okay.He clearly needed some time and space, so Roslin was giving him that.
He turned the corner but waited until he heard Alcott’s bedroom door close before heading to the kitchen.Alcott was in his room, which meant he was safe.Maybe it would be a good idea for Roslin to waste some time.He’d told Alcott what was on his mind and what he wanted.Alcott needed to think about whether or not it was something he wanted, too.
Roslin hoped the answer would be yes, but he wouldn’t push if it was no.They didn’t have enough time left, but he’d do his best never to hurt Alcott.He’d already been through enough.
* * * *
THE FAINT GLOW OF THEsetting sun filtered through the window of Alcott’s room, casting long shadows across the floor and the bed.Alcott sat on the edge of the bed, shoulders tense, hands clasped tightly together as he thought about what was coming.
He might not survive it.Roslin might not survive it.In fact, since Roslin was human, there was a good chance he wouldn’t.Alcott could defend himself from a cockatrice shifter as long as he shifted, too.Roslin only had his ghosts to protect him.
They hadn’t known each other long, but Alcott couldn’t imagine losing him.Roslin had taken care of him when most of the clan despised him.Maybe it wasn’t a surprise that Alcott had fallen for him.Maybe what he felt was fake, and he wouldn’t have felt it if they’d met in normal circumstances.
Or maybe he’d always have fallen for Roslin.
A soft knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts.He didn’t need to guess who it was since Roslin had told him he’d be right back.The sound of the key turning in the lock sent Alcott’s heart racing.Roslin stepped inside, his tall frame filling the doorway.He carried a tray, as promised.There was a gentleness in his gaze that always seemed to soften the edges of Alcott’s anxiety.
