Scarlet leans forward, her expression softening.“It’s nice to meet you formally, Harlow.Especially without all the earlier drama.Don’t worry, we don’t bite.”Her smile sharpens.“Well, most of us don’t.”
Kyson’s eyes narrow, sharp and assessing, but he says nothing.
Rowan swings his feet off the couch and strolls over, bowing low and absurdly dramatic.“Rowan, at your service.Resident genius.Occasional drunk.Always handsome.”
Harlow laughs again, this time easier, and my chest eases a fraction.Before I can usher her further, a heavy thud echoes from the hall.
Harlow startles, body tensing against mine, just as a blur of spotted fur barrels through the doorway.
Elfde.
The leopard prances in like she owns the place, a limp rabbit clamped in her jaws.Blood drips from her whiskers as she drops the kill at Kyson’s feet with smug pride.Harlow makes a strangled noise and nearly leaps into my arms.Her nails bite into my skin as she clings to my arm.
I rub my thumb over her knuckles.“That’s Elfde,” I tell her.“Our watchcat.”
Her eyes are wide.“That isnota cat.”
Scarlet laughs.“Don’t worry.She only bites when she’s told to.”
Elfde saunters over, her tail flicking.She sniffs at Harlow with her head low.Harlow freezes, and for a single moment, the whole room is tense, waiting to see what will happen.Then Elfde nudges Harlow’s hand with her massive head and chuffs, and the whole room exhales as one.
Harlow lets out a shaky laugh.“She’s ...beautiful.”
Scarlet grins.“See?She likes you.”
Harlow dares to stroke behind her ear, and Elfde purrs at the affection, the sound like rolling thunder, before she settles at her feet.The room relaxes with her.
Riggs finally moves.He steps forward, broad and steady, his presence like a calm tide against the noise of everyone else.His eyes meet Harlow’s, kind but searching.“Harlow, right?I’m Riggs.”
She nods, her voice soft.“Hi.”
He smiles, genuine and unhurried.“Welcome to our chaos.Can I get you something?Water?Wine?Something stronger?”
“Water,” she says, relief slipping into her tone.
He inclines his head.“Coming right up.”
She watches him go, and for the first time since she walked into this room, I see her shoulders loosen.I wonder what she sees when she looks at him?Does she sense his calm, or does he disarm her as easily as everyone else he meets?
Rowan leans closer, stage-whispering, “Careful.Riggs is the nice one.That’s how he gets you.”
Scarlet snorts, and Kyson glares.Harlow’s laugh bursts free, bright and unguarded, and everyone smiles.I look down at her, her fingers still curled in mine, her lips still swollen from my kiss, her eyes softer than when the night began, and I know.
She isn’t surviving this.She’s living it.She’ll stay.Not because I’ll force her.Not because I tell her she must.But because she wants to.