Page 115 of Seasons of War
“Where's my mom?” he asked. “What has she been doing while you two got dressed up?”
No, no, no. Zayne was not blaming Adelle for this.
“She's doing charity work,” Mellie said. “She's been busy all day.”
Something flickered in Zayne's expression, perhaps concern.
“There's drinks and food in the kitchen.” Mellie tugged at his jacket. “Eat, babe.”
While Kira tried to avoid joining them, Mellie found her after a few minutes and tugged her along. Adelle joined them then, swooning over both Kira and Mellie, before Zayne led her away. He spoke with his mom too quietly for Kira to hear.
It was easy to imagine what he said though.You left them alone all day to play dress up?His lecture must have gone something like, and then Adelle would say she trusted Kira, because she did. Besides, they spent the day with loyalists who served high-ranking families.
“Don't let Mellie get to you.” Brock leaned against the bar, drink in hand. “She means well. You don't have to worry about me.”
“I'm not.”
“Good. Don't worry about him either. Ignore him when he's like this.”
“He's always like this.” She accepted a drink he offered. “I'm not sure if I said it before, but thanks for helping me at Dr. Cooper's.”
Unlike Zayne, Brock didn't seem to mind showing his feelings. Compassion warmed his tone. “I'm sorry that happened to you.” But then he straightened. “Mellie thinks we're bonding, and now it looks like Zayne does too. Nice knowing you.” With that, he wheeled away to grab a plate of food.
Kira looked at Zayne, and her shoulders clenched. She should have told the masseuse the knots in her muscles were all from him.
“Today was fun, Mellie.” Kira tried to make her smile look genuine. “I'm worn out. I'll head back to my room.”
Mellie hugged Kira tight enough to hurt. “I owe you,” she whispered in her ear. “I feel better talking to you.”
With a nod, she squeezed Mellie's shoulder and said her goodbyes.
Kira felt lost in a daze on the walk to her room, dressed up in clothes she could never afford to own, and walking around like family when she was a prisoner. The sensation of unrealness held onto her so ferociously that she didn't notice Zayne's presence. Not until she tried to open her door, and he shoved it closed with his forearm.
She jumped a little, startled.
Arm resting against the door still, he stared at the crack beneath. “You didn't do anything wrong. It's difficult for me to let go of control when there's so much at stake.”
Something inside her melted, despite the fact that she tried to stop it. Zayne still looked mad, but maybe she wasn't the one he was upset with.
“I promise I didn't say anything to Mellie to endanger her,” Kira said.
“She endangered you with her friendship.” His expression looked grim.
If Kira carried her stress in her shoulders, then his entire body carried his. That masseuse would have never been able to get him to unwind.
“Tell me you remembered what I said.” Now he looked at her with all that intensity of his.
He didn't stand particularly close to her, but more near than usual, and she sensed every bit of his imposing form. Every bit of herself. The dress that clung to her curves felt as exposing as the towel now, and her mind traced the edges of the space between them. They saw more of each other than they were supposed to, just like at Dr. Cooper's in the kitchenette.
“I did.” Kira struggled to find her voice. “She's loyal.”
“Good. Think critically about what you say in front of her.”
“I will.”
He lowered his arm, allowing her access to the door. “Goodnight, Kira.”
Her heart beat so fast, and she wasn't really sure why. Every conversation with him felt so intense. “Night, Zayne.
