Page 73 of Fae Farewells

“You think you can stop me?” She smiled, the twist of her lips a slow-motion movement that spoke more of her hurt feelings that her words did. “Sweet declarations might work on your other bitch, but I don’t want your flattery.”

“My other bitch is another one of your personalities,” I whispered, trailing my nose along her neck. “None of them like flattery. One wants to be the prey. One wants to be the predator. Another thrives on the loss of control.”

“And this one is sick of your shit today. What do we call her?”

“Kitten,” I purred.

Sloane snorted, then scowled at me as she murmured, “I am mad at you.”

“It’s easier to be mad than it is to admit your feelings are hurt.”

When she opened her mouth, I swallowed her argument, covering her lips with mine in a heated kiss. She twisted her fingers into my shirt, pulling me closer even as she pushed me away.

I tightened my hold on her hair as I leaned to scoop her up, pressing her closer against my chest as I walked us to the bathroom. My fingertips dug into the curve of her ass as she wrapped her legs around my waist.

I released her hair, breaking the kiss to set her down. Once I turned the shower on, I eased the hoodie over her head, dropping it onto the floor. She stripped out of the rest of her clothing, watching me, waiting for me to push the issue.

I motioned her toward the hot water. “You’re not ready to talk this out. That I know. But I’m not going to let you sit here and dwell over things that meant nothing. I shouldn’t have pushed you, and for that, I am sorry.”

“I should have told you that he—”

“It doesn’t matter if Vaughn asked you not to kill anyone—”

“Yes, it does. I should have told you guys what he said, but I assumed you all felt the same way.”

“Scoot over,” I whispered, dropping my shirt to the floor.

I stepped into the shower behind her, taking the cloth from her hand. She kept her head turned, watching me from the corner of her eye.

“No chambermaid jokes today?” I teased.

“No,” she replied, then hummed. “That’s a lie. I wanted to point out that you still have your pants on, but I figured you’re probably pretty upset with me, too.”

She spun on her heel, turning to face me. Her doleful eyes met mine, and I knew what she was waiting for.

“Why would you question my feelings for you?” I repeated.

“I don’t want to be needed, Stone. I want to be wanted.”

I nodded. “What I said—”

“Made me feel imperative to your survival. It frightens me to think I’ve brought anyone into this mess who can’t survive on their own. I need to know that you can.”

“You called me weak.” I chuckled. “My intention was to remind you of who you are. To remind you I will follow you. But that doesn’t mean I’m helpless. It means I’ve found someone I’m willing to let lead me. I’m not weak.”

“Are you sure?” she popped back. “Only the strong survive around me, and I’m not willing to sacrifice you to prove a point. I care more than that.”

“You’re worried now that we’re so close to Alric,” I stated.

She smiled, though I could see the emotions slipping as her eyes glossed over. “I’m worried that he will torture you to torture me. Physically, he can’t make me suffer. But if he took any of you…”

“You would tear the realms apart to find us, but you need to know that we can handle ourselves if that happens.”

Sloane leaned her forehead against my chest. “I need to know that you would burn the world down to save yourself. It’s a selfish request, but I’ve never claimed to be selfless. I’ve always related to the villain in that way. I don’t care who I have to harm to get what I want.”

“But guilt rides you.” I nodded once more. “You think you’ve made us a target, splitting his attention between you and us?”

“Yes,” she muttered.