Chapter 160

Adrian Kael

I lift my chin and move forward; I step over his body without even casting a glance, like someone stepping on an insect that deserves no pity. David follows right behind, with calm steps.

We walk to the storage room where the drugs are kept. David opens the door, and the heavy smell of powder and chemicals fills the air. I glance around the room: stacked bags, open boxes, dust on the floor, and I sigh, weary.

"I don't know how my god had the patience to manage all this trash."

I look back at David.

"Separate small quantities of powder. Package them and deliver them to the kitchen crew and Navarro's group. If the guards want some, take some portions for them too... but if anyone gets too greedy, they'll regret it."

He swallows hard and nods, visibly tense.

"Deliver them discreetly," I continue, in a firm tone. "No prisoners nearby. I'm not in the mood to get my hands dirty with blood today."

"Yes, sir," he replies quickly.

I turn my back and walk out.

In the corridor, I head toward the mess hall, and a huge smile breaks across my face when I see him standing by the door. Magnus. My god. I run to him without thinking.

"Love." I hug him tightly, burying my face in his chest, inhaling that delicious scent that drives me mad.

My heart races the moment I feel his arms wrapping back around me. It always gets to me: every time Magnus reciprocates anything, my entire body vibrates.

I lift my gaze to him.

"You woke up sooner than I expected." I rest my chin on his chest, watching him with devotion. "I thought about bringing the food to the cell."

He rolls his eyes.

"I woke up with my stomach growling and realized you weren't in bed. So I decided to come. I was also tired of being locked up in there all the time."

I can't help myself: my eyes fall to his mouth. And before I even think of moving, he cups my cheek and leans in.

The kiss hits me like fire.

His lips press against mine—hot, firm, delicious. A groan escapes my throat when his tongue touches mine, soft at first, but full of flavor. The fresh taste of toothpaste is still there, mixed with his unmistakable taste, an addiction.

I slide my hand through his hair, pulling slightly, deepening the kiss as if I wanted to merge with him.

Magnus grips my waist tightly, and that gesture of possession pierces through me like a bolt of lightning.

Damn, it’s so exciting to feel that he wants to have me too.

The world vanishes. There is only the heat of his mouth against mine, the shiver that explodes down my spine every time he moves his lips with such calm, firmness, and provocation.

I want more, always more.

We break apart only for lack of air, both panting. He rubs my lower lip with his thumb, and it almost makes me moan again.

"Let's eat." His deep voice slides out naturally. "I'm starving."

I take his hand and kiss it tenderly, a small smile escaping me.

"Of course, love."

I intertwine our fingers and pull him with me into the mess hall, ignoring all the stares following us.

On the way, I cast a quick glance toward the kitchen and lock eyes with TJ. He understands without me needing to say a word; a simple look is enough for him to know what to do.

I led my god to our table, the same corner as always, where no one dares to approach. As soon as we sit, I turn to him, unable to contain the instinct to care for him.

"How is your body feeling?" I ask softly, concerned, rubbing the back of his hand with my thumb. "It's not hurting, is it?"

He stares at me with that calm that drives me insane.

"I'm fine," he answers simply. "My back hurts a little, but nothing you need to worry about."

I smile—a small smile, but full of emotion. I hold his hand and kiss it slowly, feeling the soft taste of his skin that both calms me and drives me mad at the same time.

"I always worry about you, love."

Magnus looks at me intensely, his gaze so steady and warm that I feel my heart stumble inside my chest.

"And how are you?" he asks. "Did you manage to sleep?"

The question catches me off guard.

No one had ever asked me if I was okay—never.

And even though I never cared about that before, with him… it’s different.

Even if it's not concern, even if it's just politeness, it still affects me. The simple fact of hearing his voice, of feeling like he wants to know, messes with everything inside me.

I feel a laugh escape, short, almost shy, and loaded with something I didn't even know I could feel.

I lower my gaze to our intertwined hands on the table, as if that touch were the only thread holding me to reality.

"Not much," I confess. "I was still shaken by the dream. It was so real... I'm afraid that one day you'll run away from me."

He sighs.

"I won't, Adrian." His firm voice hits me head-on, silencing everything inside me. "And I'll be honest here and now: if you do something or say something that hurts me, I will. I won't care if you kill me or break my legs. But as long as you don't hurt me, I won't run."

I slowly lift my gaze and stare at him, unable to say anything.

"I admit I already like your presence," he continues. "Your kisses... and this sickly care of yours. I like it."

His words tear through me like a silent explosion. For an instant, everything vanishes: the noise of the mess hall, the stares, and the entire world. I only hear the sound of my heart beating far too fast.

My whole body trembles. The air seems to escape my lungs. My eyes sting. I… I don't know what to do with this absurd happiness. It's as if my chest can't contain it all.

He likes me.

My god… likes me.

My breath comes shallow and irregular, and my laugh mixes with a shaky sigh. I feel the floor vanish beneath me.

Magnus quickly cups my face in his hands, startled.

"Hey, you're breathing too hard." His tone turns serious. "What the hell is this? Are you going to die on me now?"

A weak laugh escapes my lips, and I rub my cheek against his palm, nesting into his touch.

"I'm just happy," I pronounce with a hoarse voice, overcome by emotion. "So happy, love."

And it’s the truth.