Page 38 of Conquering the King of Storms

“You’re talking about them as if they’re not completely sane and right next to you,” Ayla snapped, her voice sharp.

Damn, I was impressed.

Look at her standing up for the kings, of all people.

Okay, impressedandslightly annoyed. Us human chicks were supposed to be a team.

“They’re actually not allowed to talk directly to either of you, remember?” Ivy reminded Ayla quickly. “It’s a cultural thing.”

Ayla’s face twisted into a grimace. “They do it all of the time?”

“Yup.” I popped my lips on the p. “Gets really annoying, we know.”

Ivy nodded in agreement. “So, Storm can navigate all of us back through the caves… and help Ayla breathe underwater?” She looked at Sirus.

Though I didn’t turn around to look at him, I felt his slight movement as he dipped his head in a nod.

“Perfect, let’s get the hell out of here.” Ivy jumped up to her feet.

“Storm needs to sleep first,” I said, before she got too excited about leaving. “And we need to eat. I’m too slow, so he’s been carrying me the whole time.”

His fingers squeezed my hip lightly. “I’m fine, Sway.”

“Sway? Okay, that’s adorable.” Ivy glanced between us. “What’s the verdict, though? Stay, or go?”

I said, “Stay,” at the same time Sirus said, “Go.”

Turning, I shot him a glare. “You need to rest.”

“I need to get us out of here,” he corrected. “I’m fine. We’ll get you something to eat, and then we’ll leave.”

That’s what I got for trying to look out for him, I guess.

I huffed. “Fine.” Pushing his hand off my hip, I crossed the cave and plopped down on the floor near Ivy and Tariq.

“We made a ton of sea-monster jerky,” Ivy told me. “If you want, we can eat on the way.”

Geez, they were all going to team up against me. So much for trying to look out for the asshole who’d been carrying me and feeding me for days.

“Great, let’s go.” I stood back up stiffly.

“Can you show me how you ripped your skirt?” Ivy checked, walking beside me as I stalked toward the foul-smelling sea monster. “It looks badass, and this thing has been driving me crazy.”

“No, she cannot,” Flame growled at her. “Those thighs are mine to see, Vriva.”

She rolled her eyes at me, as if saying, “Men.”

I couldn’t relate, so I just shrugged in response.

“Can you keep up with the fae dudes yet?” I asked Ivy.

“Maybe ifsomeonelet me walk. He likes carrying me too much, though.” She shot her man a playful glare. Their fingers were already intertwined, and I tried hard not to envy her for it.

Sirus didn’t even want totalk to me.

“Damn right I do.” The king tugged her closer, and his arm slid around her waist.

I felt more than saw Sirus catch up to me. He fell into step beside me, and I didn’t look over at him.

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