Page 109 of Phantom Flower

Ilya pouted dramatically, clutching his hand to his chest like he had been mortally wounded.

“Awww, don’t be jealous, Dima! I was just being friendly! Rai is my favorite little fairy now. We’re practically besties.”

I could not help it. I laughed.

“You’re insane,” I told Ilya, shaking my head. “And my name is still Rei.”

“Details,” Ilya said with a dramatic wave. He leaned in conspiratorially, eyes sparkling. “So tell me, did Dimitri cry when you were in the hospital?”

Dimitri’s grip on my waist tightened.

“Ilya,” he warned.

Ilya grinned wider, completely unbothered.

“What? I’m just asking! Our big bad boss went soft for a pretty boy. Character development. Beautiful.”

I bit my lip to keep from laughing again. Dimitri looked two seconds away from actually shooting him.

“Can we please just get to class without you starting a knife fight in the hallway?”

Ilya winked at me. “No promises, Rai. But for you, I’ll try.”

Dimitri growled under his breath and started walking again, keeping me tucked firmly against his side. Ilya skipped along beside us.

As we walked down the hallway, more people stared. A few even took out their phones before thinking better of it and putting them away when Dimitri glared in their direction. Ilya, of course, waved at everyone like we were in a parade.

“Morning, peasants!” he called cheerfully to a group of staring juniors. “Yes, it’s true. The fairy is back. And he’s got one very scary man now. Take notes.”

“Ilya,” I groaned.

“What? It’s accurate!”

Dimitri’s hand slid lower on my waist.

“Mine,” he muttered against my ear.

I felt my face heat up, but I leaned into him anyway.

“I know,” I whispered back. “I’m yours.”

Ilya pretended to gag.

“You two are disgusting. I’m going to go find Alexei and tell him. He’ll hate it.”

He waved dramatically and skipped off down the hallway, still humming.

Dimitri watched him go, then looked down at me.

“You okay?” he asked.

“I’m okay. As long as you’re here.”

He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to the flower in my hair.

Chapter 35

Rei Kurosaki