Wait!
Stop!
But it’s already too late. He’s gently peeled off the plaster I’ve had on the side of my neck even before leaving the jet.
“There.” His voice is soft and gentle. “That’s better.” And so is his touch as he rubs that tiny branded spot on the side of my neck. “It’s not something you’re supposed to hide. You’re mine, after all—”
Icelle raises a brow (no subtitles needed for that one) and Raiden starts snickering again while all I can do is sputter—
“Just like I’m yours.”
Aaaaaaah.
I don’t even have time to process what he’s just said before he’s bending his head close to mine, his voice dropping to a whisper that’s meant for me alone as he guides me gently into the chair.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t around when you woke up. I didn’t want people to know I was—”
I slam my foot on his in panic.
He winces. Barely. The tiniest flinch, so small you’d miss it if you weren’t looking for it, but I see it, and something in my chest goes warm.
“Does that mean you accept my apology?”
“It meansshut up and go away," I mutter under my breath.
He chuckles.
“I’ll miss you too, princess.”
Then he kisses the top of my head, gently guides me the rest of the way down into the chair, and straightens.
“I’ll see you later.”
He walks out of the room, and at that time, it didn’t really sink in to me, how Arkane isn’t the type to ever look back. Later, when it’s already too late, I’d find myself wishing it did, because that would’ve made a world of difference.
But because it didn’t...
The rest of the family arrives in quick succession, and I find myself enveloped in this strange, cozy sense of warmth even when everyone starts calling me princess, and I do mean everyone, their very posh and dignified parents included.
The ribbing continues, and I’m just feeling warmer and warmer—
Could this be the difference between a house and a home?