Chapter 156 Chapter 156

Chapter 156 Chapter 156
"Bound?” I echoed softly.
“For life, for death, for every messy century in between.” Aquila straightened his coat, then reached out and brushed a stray feather from her shoulder like he hadn’t nearly been strangled ten seconds prior. “No papers, no vows, no priest—just us. And all the trouble we can get into.” his eyes literally sparkled as he reached out and grabbed her hands.

He really looked like a man in love...
Nayara swatted his hand away, but her lips twitched ever so slightly. “You are the worst thing that ever happened to me.”
“And yet you keep me around.”
“Only because no one else would put up with you.” She turned back to the rest of us, all business again in an instant.
“Now—enough of this nonsense. We have lingered too long as it is. Seeing as the moon is climbing high, and the shadows are growing bolder, I take it that you'll be staying the night?”
I glanced toward the Asher with a subtle frown. “Staying the night? If I knew, I would have prepared some clothes."

" That's not an issue; I always keep spares. We'll definitely find your size in the closet." Nayara reassured me, and I nodded. But wait...

I glanced around again towards the shelves this time. " Seth?"
I just realized he wasn't even in the room when all that drama was happening. But at the mention of his name, he looked up, fingers still resting lightly on the spine of a heavy black book. He didn’t want to leave. I could see it in the way his brow furrowed, the way he leaned toward the shelves like they were calling to him.
“I see you've taken a liking to my books,” Nayara said, softer than I’d ever heard her speak since we met. “Ode to death, that one is a particular favorite of mine actually. Would you like to read it?” she asked, turning her full attention to him now.

Chapter 156
Seth's eyes widened for a moment, almost in excitement, before his body returned to that cool form; then he nodded once as he pulled the book out and stepped away from the shelves. He moved to her side, quiet and steady. Surprising everyone.
Nayara's brows lifted, just a fraction, but she recovered quickly.

"How adorable." She gestured toward a quieter corner of the library, where a single armchair sat beneath a window, moonlight pooling silver across the floorboards. "Sit. I'll fetch you a lamp so you're not squinting like some half-blind mole."

"Hang on, can he even read?" Aquila voiced, clearly still irritated by the attention his wife or mate was now giving Seth, who was innocent.

" Fair point," Nayara turned to him, "Which is why you'll be reading to him."

"What?! I swear, you all are just trying to turn me into a nanny at this point." Aquila complained before turning to Seth. "Sorry, Seth, it's nothing personal."

A low growl came from Seth as his grip on the book tightened.

"Why can't Crystal do it?" He asked.

"Because she needs to rest," Asher spoke up, and I turned to look at him.

Aquila looked utterly betrayed.

"And I don't?"

Nayara pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Must every conversation with you become an argument?"
Aquila brightened.
"Speak for yourself, madame." He sighed, "But, fine, come on, I guess I have some spare time."

Aquila took the book from Seth and ushered him towards the corner. He might behave as though he didn't want the job of looking after Seth, but I could see how Aquila seemed to soften up a bit now compared to the earlier days when he was still a cub.

"First try to make me give you baths, now reading you books? What's next? Do I tuck you in now?" Aquila grumbled under his breath. But he knew that was all he could do right about now without angering Nayara any more than she was.

The woman turned towards a door and walked towards it before pausing and looking back. " You two, come with me."