Page 73 of The Monster's Wife

Ali continues to fight my hold for all she’s worth. “Silence...”

I stagger back as she lands a solid kick to my shin. Somehow, I always manage to forget she was raised as heir to Faere throne, and as such, learned methods of defending herself.

“Stop, you infuriating woman!” I command as her nails rake down my arms.

“Come now, kitten. You didn’t think you’d be rid of me that easily, did you?” Malice purrs.

I take several steps back into the darkened alley, yanking Ali along with me. She finally stops struggling as she spots Malice.

I release her, but I’m shocked to see she’s holding her bracelet. I’ve never seen her without it on.

“You fucking dick,” she hisses, slamming her palm into Malice’s suddenly solid chest. “I almost broke a bead for you.”

I frown, staring at the bracelet. My head tilts as I appraise it. I’d like to know what that means.

“That’s extremely heartwarming to hear.” He pulls her flush with his front. “And if you had, I’d be spanking your ass raw right this very moment.” He kisses her cheek. “Never use your magic in front of the council. Certainly not to save me. I assure you, I’m very hard to kill.”

“I couldn’t stop myself from at least trying,” she admits, her gaze darting away. “You’re important to me.”

I’m still quite focused on the necklace and the bracelet, which has slithered its way back around her wrist. My mind travels back to our wedding day and the gift the small child gave her immediately before Ary was stabbed. The bracelet was of a similar style with large beads, but details beyond that have faded with time.

“We need to get somewhere safe,” Hex warns. “It’s going down out there. The wyvern fled.”

“Good,” Malice says, chuckling. “Otherwise, I would’ve had to find a way to free him. Kash was a wretched man, in case there were any doubts.”

* * *

Malice sits on one corner of the sofa, stretched out across the bed portion that I now know is called a chaise lounge. Ali kneels over him, cuddled up close. Hex, the poor besotted bastard, sits practically on top of Malice’s right side. He’s got a hand on Ali’s back.

They look like quite the comfortable threesome, but once again, I’m on the outside, staring in like a voyeur to their private moment.

Atlas storms inside the back door of his house. He’s loaded down with take-out bags, but he drops them on the coffee table before leaning over, pulling Ali’s mouth to his, despite the fact she’s resting on Malice’s shoulder. Again, I wish I knew that was an option. The sad thing is, I’m pretty sure it isn’t forme.

I shake away the bitter ache that radiates in my stomach. She said she wanted to work on things between us, and that won’t be possible if I can’t let go of the hurt and resentment.

“Explain,” Atlas growls, jabbing a finger at Malice.

“The wyvern is an acquaintance with a bone to pick with the dearly departed Kashius.” Malice snorts. “Are you hungry, kitten?”

Ali nods, leaning up on her knees.

Atlas sighs, digging in the bag and handing Malice a sandwich. The nightmare unwraps it, pulling his shadows tight against his form as he offers Ali a bite.

“My veggie burger?” she asks, looking at Atlas over her shoulder.

“Like I’d try to feed you beef.” He scoffs, grabbing out a few other packages and handing them out.

Apparently, he instinctively knew Malice would be offering it to her. It’s taken years for Hex and I to understand each other at that level.

Ali bites into the outstretched burger and moans in delight.

I set down the sandwich in my hand. I’ve no appetite for it at the moment. “Back to the show you put on...”

“Ah, yes. I needed a public way to dispatch of Kash’s shell. The wyvern needed to...” He laughs, shrugging. “Burn off a little of his rage. It worked out in the end. They’ll certainly not be expecting Kash to report for duty come Monday morning.”

“That’s true.” Atlas takes a seat on the floor near the edge of the couch and passes Ali a bottle of water.

It’s no great wonder the human realm is filled with plastics, but after drinking a glass of water from the tap, I understand the necessity, even if it is quite disheartening.

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