Page 47 of When Eden Falls

“You’re being disrespectful.”

“I’m being disrespectful? Me?” I looked at Havav who waslounging back in his chair, eagerly watching mine and Rooke’s interaction. He genuinely looked as though he was enjoying this. “Am I not allowed to voice my opinion?”

Rooke’s dark eyes flashed with authority as he gave one subtle shake of the head. Nux, I’d never felt so exasperated with him, or at least since adolescence. I felt hot and irritable. I wanted to shout at him, tear him apart. Why was he standing up for this male chauvinistic pig?

“You two,” Havav drawled from his seat, “have an extremely interesting relationship.” Both Rooke and I looked at him. He was smirking, glancing between the two of us. His wide nostrils flared several times as if he was smelling—scenting us.

He sat forward, still with a pompous smirk on his face. “Miss Eden, I sense you are not in the mood to socialise this evening.”

I swallowed down my aggression, only for it to be replaced by a wave of sorrow. “I…” I glanced at Rooke. His eyes had softened. “Yes, you are correct. I’d rather be alone.”

“Very well.” Havav sighed. “Although I do enjoy your company on most occasions, you may leave us.” He clicked his fingers and Dybgo stepped forward. “I sense we won’t be seeing you for a few days anyway.” A frown pulled at my brow, and he smiled, exposing his elongated canines. “We shall catch up in a week or so.”

Avoiding Rooke’s eyes, I stood up as gracefully as I could. Without a single acknowledgment to anyone, I strode down the long room towards the door, my head held as high as possible. I hated this place. I hated Havav, especially.

Dybgo appeared at my side, opening the main door to the corridor. We walked in silence back to my rooms, plodding down corridor after corridor. My mind was a jumbled mess. The silence only made it worse.

Dybgo’s golden armour shining in the light of the blue lanterns caught my eye as he made a motion to open the door to my apartment. I placed my hand on his arm, halting him. “Dybgo?”

He peered down at my hand, which felt frozen compared tohis warm skin. I pulled my fingers away immediately. No one touched here. Only when they mated.Nux!

“I’m sorry. I forget,” I whispered.

“Don’t be.” His voice matched my own.

I peered up at the tall Akquarian, aware his eyes were glistening. There was so much meaning hidden in them, so much sorrow I hadn’t noticed before. “What did he do to you…because of me?”

He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter.”

I wanted to cry. It did matter.

Glancing at the floor, I forced a stabilising breath into my lungs. The thought of him being punished because of my actions was gut wrenching. It was then I noticed his pale feet. They weren’t webbed like Havav’s or the other Akquarians, they looked the same as a human male, or was it just the angle the light caught?

“Eden, I shouldn’t have left you on your own. It was my duty to protect you…”

“And you did.”You ripped the frigging door off to get to me. I looked up at him again. “You did.”

His eyes wandered the planes of my face as if he wanted to say something else. Fighting the urge to reach up and embrace him, I reached for the door handle instead, halting as the door cracked opened. “Thank you, Dybgo…for saving my life.”

A forlorn smile briefly touched his lips, and he inclined his head. “It was my honour.”

I slipped in through the crack in the doorway and closed it gently behind me. Resting my head on the cool stone of the door, I suddenly felt alone, scared. I loathed the feeling that gnawed at me when Rooke and I were in conflict. I despised Havav and this palace. I hated being the cause of someone else’s grief. And with that thought, I heard Dybgo’s delayed footsteps leave on the other side of the door.

C h a p t e rF o u r t e e n

I didn’t wake until after midday. I felt exhausted, mentally more than physically, and after last night, my mind had taken forever to switch off.

Trying to ignore my grumbling stomach, I forced my eyes to remain shut, encouraging another bout of sleep to take over. However, hushed voices next door caught my attention. Several moments later, I heard a dual set of footsteps enter the bedroom.

Under my eyelashes, I watched Cora and Zamya approach. Cora was holding a steaming glass of what looked like…was that tea? I opened my eyes fully, sceptical by Zamya’s frown and Cora’s fake smile. “What are you two up to?”

I felt the foam mattress bounce beneath me as Cora perched on the edge of the bed. Zamya pulled a wicker stool closer, sitting directly in front of me.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Zamya asked gently, resting her elbows on her knees.

“Tell you what?”

“That you nearly died yesterday?”