I tore myself away from the door and stalked down the hall toward my room, every step heavier than the last.My pulse dragged like thunder through my veins — slow, brutal, impossible to ignore.Tomorrow I’d have to look her in the eyes again — those eyes that should hate me, fear me — and pretend I wasn’t fighting the urge to claim what wasn’t mine.
I was losing that fight.
And when the last thread snapped, there wouldn’t be a goddamn thing left in me resembling restraint.
35
Neve
“You have a visitor.”
Atlas’s voice filled the doorway before he did, deep enough to roll down my spine.I blinked up from the book I was pretending to read, confusion prickling through me.A visitor?Here?Inhishouse?
My pulse skittered.“Who?”
He only raised a brow, that unreadable calm carved into every line of him.Then a shadow shifted behind him, and…
“Zelda?”
I squealed before my brain fully caught up.I was already off the bed, my bare feet slapping against the hardwood, launching myself at her like a child who’d been starved of candy.She laughed as I crashed into her, her bangles clinking when she wrapped her arms around me.
“Oh my sweet girl,” she rasped into my hair, squeezing me tight enough to crack one of my bones.“Look at you.”
I stepped back, breathless, and looked awkwardly at Atlas, who had moved and was giving us space in that silent, watchful way of his.Always present.Always deadly calm.
I reached out and grabbed his forearm before he could retreat fully.His muscles tensed under my fingers; his eyes snapped to mine.For a second, everything stilled.There was no noise as time stood still.It was just him.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
He studied me like I was something fragile he was terrified of breaking.“Enjoy your time with your friend, Neve.”His voice lowered, soft but firm.“I’ll be right outside if you need anything.”
Something warm flickered in my chest — dangerous, stupid warmth — and then he was gone, the door clicking shut behind him.
Zelda pulled me back toward the bed with a grin.“Oh my God, Neve.What is this?”She gestured around the room — the soft sheets, the warm light, the quiet order that didn’t match my old life at all.“How did you end up in a stranger’s house like some little lost dove?”
I sat cross-legged across from her, picking at the hem of my top.“It’s complicated.”
Her eyes narrowed.“Complicated like… you’re in danger?Or complicated like… you ran off with a hot man and didn’t text me?”
“It’s not—” I stopped.Because neither answer was wrong, technically.“Zelda, I’m safe.I promise.I just… I can’t come home yet.”
“And the bruises on your arms?The ones on your face?How am I supposed to believe you’re safe?”
“This?”I asked, touching my cheek.“This was just a misadventure.You have to believe me—I’m okay.I’m going to be okay.”
She stared at me for a long moment.Her face softened.“You know I read your cards, right?You can’t lie to me.Not really.”
I rolled my eyes.“Don’t start.”
“Oh, I will start.”She bumped her knee against mine.“But first, I need to put you out of your misery.Paolo finally asked me out.”
That pulled an actual smile from me.“No.”
“Yes.”She preened.“Weekend date.Dinner, dancing, possibly something sinful.I’ll let you know.”
I laughed, and it felt strange and wonderful and a little painful.Like remembering how to breathe after being underwater for too long.
“And when are you coming home to move in with me?”she pressed.“You already promised.I’ve got your side of the wardrobe cleared out.”