Page 61 of The Never List
Rylee nods, her shoulders loosening beneath my arm so quickly I didn’t even realize they were tense before now. I shift my arm from her, sliding my hand up and down her back. Is she nervous because of how small the room is and the way our powers fill it? I’m used to the constant weight of the power when we’re all together, but I forget that she hasn’t been exposed to it that long.
“So, you think the Faders and Ashlanders could be one and the same?” she asks.
“Perhaps,” Pierce answers, and Rylee gives a little laugh that shocks us all.
“What’s funny, love?” I ask, unable to stop my own smile. I love the sound of her laugh, especially this raw, unexpected one.
“It’s funny that you think an oppressed people who barely scrape by forfood, let alone money, could amass any sort of magic and create the weapons they attacked you with a few weeks ago.” She shrugs. “Doesn’t add up to me. If I had to guess,” she continues, “I’d put my money on Erithmore. They have the numbers and the wealth, and rumors abound about their magical capabilities. The only things that have kept them off our shores for so long are the protection from the goddesses and the threat the kings and yourselves pose. And with the Choosings happening every year—if their spies have learned that finding your mate willunlock the full potential of your already impressive powers, that would be another reason to keep them from a direct attack. But a stealthy one? Before you come into your full power?” Another shrug as she reaches for my drink, then drains the contents.
I look to Jax. Rylee expressed the same theories he did not moments ago. There’s something there—pride, maybe, or curiosity—but he doesn’t open his mouth to say anything.
“Time will tell,” Pierce says. “We’re working on uncovering who they are and what exactly they want, but they’re very good at slipping into the shadows.”
“Is there anything I can do?” Rylee asks, genuine concern fluttering over her face. “To help you?” She poses the question to each of us.
“You’re already doing enough,” Pierce answers.
“By being here,” I explain. “By entertaining the idea of choosing us.”
“Oh,” she whispers, a little surprised. “Well… I meant—”
“We know,” I say. “I promise, if there is a job you can do for us, we’ll let you know. For now, you have enough on your plate learning the ins and outs of our cities, our people, being in the public eye every time we step outside, and not to mention tolerating the four of us.”
Rylee laughs. “That’s not exactly a hard day’s work. I’m capable of more. I can carry more of the weight, if you need me to.”
I feel the guys’ powers crackle in the room at her declaration—a snap of curiosity and warmth that lets me know they’re starting to see what I’ve seen for weeks now.
On a silent cue, each of us stands, the meeting comingto a close. Rylee steps out of my embrace to say goodbye to Pierce, who kisses the back of her hand before leaving. Jax barely gives her a nod before he disappears, and then it’s Axl who’s scooping her up into one of his traditional bear hugs, holding her at his eye level. Something hot zaps through me at the sight. She looks so small in his big arms, and he maneuvers her so damn easily. Fuck, I can’t wait for the day when I can watch him make her come.
“I have a job you can do,” Axl says, his tone lilting on the side of seduction.
Rylee is grinning at him, their chemistry an undeniable, palpable thing. “What’s that?”
“Sayyesto me now,” he says, smiling at her. “Tell me yes, Rylee. Tell meyesright this second, because the moment you step foot in my territory, I’m going to claim you so many times you won’t be able to explore my city for at least a week.”
I see the heat churning in her eyes, the delight at his directness. Just the thought makes me contemplate asking him to stay. Asking him to find out right here and now if she can handle us both, but I clamp down on the idea. I have two nights left with her all to myself, and I won’t waste them. Sharing her will come soon enough.
Rylee runs her fingers through some of Axl’s hair, the touch familiar, claiming, but she glances at me, almost as if she’s asking permission. She doesn’t belong to me solely, and if there is anyone I’d ever share a treasure like her with, it’s my friends, the Legends.
I dip my head, winking at her, and she turns her focus back to Axl.
“Yes,” she whispers, a giddiness to her tone.
Something like a howl comes from Axl as he spins her in a circle. “I like you,” he says, sliding her down his body before setting her on her feet. “You’re adventurous. We’re going to have so much fucking fun.” He playfully smacks her ass as a way of goodbye. “See you in two days,” he calls over his shoulder before leaving the room.
Rylee huffs out a laugh before padding over to my side. “That was fun,” she says, sliding her hands up my chest. “What are the plans for the rest of the time you have me?”
“Tomorrow evening, we have a dinner with the kings,” I answer, and I swear the air goes right out of her. I crouch slightly, snaking my arms around her and lifting her to my height. “I know,” I say. “But it’s standard. You’ll have one at the end of every month in the cities.”
She nods, and I watch as she accepts the information and files it out of the way.
“But,” I continue, “tonight, I have something special planned for you.”
“You do?”
I trail my nose over the tip of hers, breathing her in. Fuck, she smells good, feels so soft and pliant against me like this. “It’s our last night together,” I say, knowing from history that tomorrow after the dinner she’ll be in no mood to play. “I’m going to make it count. You up for it?”
A shiver works through her as she nods. “Always.”
