Chapter 24 Chapter Twenty -four
ASHER
Much later into the night, after the chaos of dinner had more or less simmered down and everyone had returned to their respective quarters for the night, I, however, remained awake, pacing back and forth in my room like a ghost with unfinished business.
I felt…uneasy. Hot. Tight in my chest.
I couldn’t really find the words to better define what I was feeling right now. But I knew one thing, and was certain about it. It was because of her.
Crystal.
Was my approach wrong? Was I too direct about the bounty? Did I…scare her?
All these questions bothered me too deeply, but what vexed me even more was that I couldn’t even work up the courage to go apologize to her.
To explain that I wasn’t trying to scare her and I really wanted to protect her. But would she even believe that I wanted to protect her?
But she should. If it weren’t for me, she would have been hurt, or worse…
My brows drew together in a deep frown as a low grunt left my lips.
That’s all I’d been doing. Grunting and huffing like an animal that was navigating through new territory.
That was what she was.
A new experience I didn’t know how to handle, even if it had been my decision to bring her back with us.
I took a deep breath, then exhaled before pulling my shirt over my head. The heat was becoming unbearable.
Then I took off my mask next. I held it in my hand for a moment and the image of her reaching for it hit me. What was she thinking trying to take off my mask?
I didn’t like how she got close, but when I held her hand? I felt a jolt of electricity course through me, and almost instantly, that annoyance I felt dissolved into nothingness. In its place was this inexplicable urge to pull her close as I stared into those angry violet eyes, which told me I was wrong. That she would fight me if it came to that. And even if she did want to do that, I wouldn’t even try to stop her.
I tossed the mask onto the bed with less grace than when I’d slipped it on. Letting the ugly scar on my ruined face breathe for the first time today.
A crude smile carved into the corner of my mouth as I poured myself a drink then kicked it back with one swift move. The liquor burned, but not as much as the fire in my chest, but almost just as hot.
“To think the universe would bring you my way again…” I moved, walking back to the hearth then over the burning fire. The warmth was a welcoming feeling, but more than that, something about watching fire burn through wood came with clarity.
“…It must be destiny.”
My smile twisted into a bittersweet feeling as I pushed off from the fireplace and walked back to my desk and sat in the plush chair that absorbed my weight. The decanter was still half full…Miridath would be proud of me. Because on any other day, I would have been on my third bottle, but this…I’ve barely even touched it.
My reflection stared back at me from the golden liquor as I ran my finger across the scar that cut diagonally across my face.
“How cruel can you be destiny?” I sighed, leaning back against the chair. “Would she even remember me? Perhaps not. But still…”
A long, almost forgotten memory from my past came rushing back. Too many moving images that were zeroed down to two things.
Fire…and those piercing violet eyes that could command anyone’s attention without even trying.
“To think you’d grow up to become a lawyer.” An airy chuckle left my lips before crusting over as I sat upright again and reached for the bottom drawer in my desk. I pulled it open, but never took out what was inside.
I merely studied those items for a moment, before shutting them back again.
Aquila was right. Dragons did have a bad habit of hoarding things that should have been tossed out or forgotten. It is our pride and our burden. A twisted obsession to own. But for me, memories are priceless.
No matter how…unforgiving they might be.
A sharp knock at my door tore me from the memory before it could drag me any deeper.
I could think of only one demon who’d come knocking at my door so late into the night. He didn’t even wait for my response before he pushed it open a crack, and a cat slipped in.
My golden eyes zeroed in on the feline and I rolled my eyes as he sauntered towards me with that elegant feline grace.
“Going hunting?” I asked when he hopped up on my desk and made himself comfortable.
“I’m still contemplating it.” his voice came from the cat's mouth before a soft swirling smoke curled around him and he reverted back to his more…human form. Tail gone.
But otherwise, still sitting perched at the edge of my desk.
“The women east to the hummingbird sanctuaries are most delicious.” he licked his lips.
“You shouldn’t be preying on those humans.”
“What? It’s just for the sex. It’s not like they don’t want it.” he huffed, crossing his arms over his chest like an offended child. “Besides. I don’t discriminate. I love all women, beasts, and humans.”
“But don’t you hate the humans?”
“Men.” he corrected. “I hate their men.”
I shook my head and poured myself another drink. It was too late in the night to banter logic with him.
“So, tell me, dear friend.” A terrible feeling settled in my gut when I saw the way his eyes lit up. “When will you take the girl?”
I knew it.
“I won’t be doing anything like that,” I say to him. “She’s a guest.”
If it were even physically possible, Aquila’s entire body seemed to roll in exasperation
ration. “That’s all talk, brother, and freshness is fleeting.”
Freshness?