Page 16 of Hidden Fate

“We need to assign everyone a room,” Vlad said as he entered the house after Thorn.

After a few seconds, we’d all crammed inside. Elliott flopped on the couch. If I sat down, I’d be asleep in seconds.

Saphira pointed at the couch. “I’ll sleep here in front of the door. I’m tired of bunking with people.” With a lifted brow, she glared at Elliott.

He rolled his eyes but moved down the couch, clearing a spot for Saphira. “Just wait until I’m a dragon.”

“Everly and Thorn should have some privacy for at least a night, so Vlad and I can room with Peter.” Cassidy walked over to the doorframe on the right. A hallway left of the stairs led to a bedroom. The stairs were directly in front of us, with some sort of table to the right, but the wall cut off most of my view.

“I guess that means Eva, Dad, and I are rooming with Cassidy and Vlad in the attic.” Elliott pouted.

Sol bounced on his feet. “If you don’t want to stay in a room with them, I can.”

Cheeks flaming, Eva stared at the wooden floor but smiled shyly.

“What?” Theron shook his head. “No. They’re family. They should stick together.”

“Yeah, man.” Elliott scowled and crossed his arms. “You sleeping in the same room as my sister? Not happening.”

“We’ll take a room down here,” Thorn said and guided me to the hallway. “You all can figure out the rest. I need sleep.” The pressing heat swirled harder between us, a desperate emotion taking hold.

The rest of the group continued to talk, but I couldn’t focus on them. Thorn was struggling.

We headed down the hallway to the first door and stepped into the master bedroom. The wooden floor and beige color scheme matched the rest of the house, and a king-size bed sat against the far wall. Thorn locked the door and placed his head against the wood as those emotions he’d been holding back burst through him.

I stepped toward him and wrapped my arms around his waist. It was my turn to take care of him in whatever way he needed.Just know I’m here.

He spun around in my arms, his eyes darkening.I know.His lips touched mine as his tongue begged for entrance.

And just like that…all my exhaustion was gone.

CHAPTERSIX

As his tonguestroked into my mouth, my body warmed. It had been over twenty-four hours since we’d had sex, which felt like forever. My stomach clenched with need, but I pushed it aside…for now.

My dragon roared in protest as I pulled back, breathless. Thorn countered my move to eliminate the distance I’d put between us.

Hands on his chest, I pushed him back hard enough for his eyes to open, allowing me to see his gorgeous sky blue irises. I’d already memorized every diamond fleck in them. They were one of my favorite parts of him and the first thing I’d noticed, even at night in a car.

His brow furrowed.What’s wrong?

You’re upset, and I want to make sure you’re all right before we go further.I cupped his cheek, noticing his long lashes framing those eyes.Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for sex, but I don’t want you to use that as a remedy to ignore what’s going on inside you.

Blowing out a breath, he frowned and clenched his jaw.That’s the last thing I’d ever want you to think I was doing.He lowered his forehead to mine and wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close.

In fairness, I didn’t think it was intentional.I smiled sadly.But you did just lose your biological father, and you’ve been a mess of emotions since we left the barn.I kissed his cheek.I don’t want to push, but I also don’t want to taint our bond, even accidentally.

He nodded and took my hand, leading me to the bed. We sat on the mattress, my hand running along the gray paisley comforter as we scooted up to lie back on the two oversized pillows.

Lifting our joined hands, Thorn stared at the wood-paneled ceiling. “You’re right. I’ve been struggling. I hated him forso long, and then for him to denounce Drake and apologize to me, only to die right after…” His pain and guilt flared through our bond. “I…I don’t know how to feel. On the one hand, I’m still angry. It took all ofthisfor him to finally see the truth? But then I feel guilty for being mad.” His voice cracked, and I turned to him as his eyes glistened.

“You haveeveryright to be hurt, angry, and confused. The king screwed you over, and even after he realized what he’d done was wrong, he wasn’t willing to stand up to Drake…until it was too late. He doesn’t get a pass just because he’s dead.”

The thing was, I understood how Thorn felt…somewhat. My heart clenched over the loss we shared. “Mom was an amazing mother to me, but when she died, not only did I lose her, but I got left with Peter. I was so angry about it, but I didn’t have anywhere else to go or anyone else to help me. Though I wasn’t madat her, I felt guilty about being angry at all because she was gone. It took me a while to realize it’s okay to be upset and that sometimes, life hands us crap, and we have to figure out a way to move on.”

“I’m so damn sorry you had to go through that.” Thorn’s face twisted in agony. “I wish I could’ve been there to help you. That you could’ve leaned on me.”

“I’ve come to believe that everything happens for a reason.” A tear trickled down my cheek, my vision clouding. “But the point is, I felt guilty for being mad. If she hadn’t married Peter, Elliott and Eva wouldn’t be here, and though we weren’t close then, I still loved them and couldn’t imagine a world without them.”

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