Chapter 17
Eden
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The rest of the week passes in a continuous stream of tension. Logan and Azriel seem locked in some peculiar competition over who gets to drive me places, protect me from Paris (who’s gone from occasional bully to full–time nemesis), and generally stand too close like I might break at any moment. It would be flattering if I weren’t so drained by it all.
Friday afternoon, I’m crossing the school parking lot when I spot Azriel leaning against his BMW, but something’s different. His perfect face shows a faint bruise along his jaw, and his normally immaculate clothes appear wrinkled and displaced.
“What happened to you?” I ask before I can stop myself.
Azriel’s violet eyes flick to mine, and for once, his smirk doesn’t immediately appear. “Nothing worth mentioning.”
I step closer, frowning. “Who hurt you?”
“No one,” he lies.
“Really? Is that why it looks like you fought with a blender?”
“Your concern is touching,” he drawls, but while he tries to sound sarcastic and strong like usual, I notice the idiot is struggling just to stand.
Did he fight with Logan? Or with the Valentine pack or something?
My eyes narrow, and that’s when I notice the black substance staining his fingertips. “Is that… blood?” Is his blood black?
Azriel quickly tucks his hands into his pockets. “Not mine.”
“That’s not reassuring!” I blurt out.
Surprise flickers in his violet eyes. “Why do you care?”
“Because I’m not heartless. Now, mind telling me what happened?”
He sighs, glancing around the parking lot as if he is ashamed to show himself weak. “I had a… disagreement with some members of the Nightmare Court. My sister’s court.”
“Your sister’s court is here? In Sweden?” My voice rises with panic.
“Lower your voice,” he hisses. “And no, not exactly. I visited them. It’s complicated.”
I cross my arms. “Complicated how?”
Azriel looks genuinely uncomfortable, which is new. “I may have suggested to my sister that we… postpone your sacrifice.”
My heart stutters. “You… what?”
“Don’t mistake it for me helping you. It wasn’t entirely altruistic,” he mutters. “I need more time to prepare the ritual correctly.
“And your sister didn’t take it well?”
His laugh sounds hollow. “That would be an understatement.”
I study him more carefully. Beyond the bruise and the rumpled clothes, something else seems wrong. Then his glamour flickers, revealing more wounds.
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Chapter 17
Bad wounds.
“Oh my god, you’re half–dead” I exclaim.
Til heal, Azriel dismines–typical proud male.
You still look like shit. What the hell did they do to you?”
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Azriel’s eyes narrow like he doesn’t trust me. “Nothing I didn’t deserve. Now, are you getting in the car or-
He tries to walk to the door, swaying I want to help him, but he catches himself right on time on the hood of his BMW. The glamour slips completely, revealing a jagged wound across his chest. There’s even black blood seeping through his shirt.
“Holy shit!” I grab his arm instinctively to get a better look at his front. “That’s not nothing”
He glances down at me, breathing hard. “It’s fairy business?
“Azriel, you can’t even stand up straight
I don’t need your help!” he growls.
We both know he does. Is it his pride getting in the way?
Probably,
If I don’t mention this to anyone, will you let me help you?
He looks taken aback and very suspicious. More suspicious than I’ve seen any werewolf. Does that mean that fairies have more reasons not to trust each other?
I sigh. “Without me, you’re going to collapse on the pavement.”
I’m not about to collapse”
“You are. I grow! Now stop fighting me and let me help you.”
“fine”
He gives in and stops arguing, I let him support some of his weight on me. He is much taller, so it must look funny to onlookers, but I don’t care. The big guy needs me. I’m just glad that his strength isn’t entirely gone because there’s no way I would be able to carry him. He is huge.
I help him to the passenger seat. It’s only when he sits there that he realizes my intentions. “Wait…who is driving?”
“I am.” I say, “Give me the keys”
“You can’t drive my car! He protests.
“Yes, I can‘
He squints. “No offense, but you’re seventeen”
&nd
“You don’t have a driver’s license”
I know how to drive a car?
“How
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Chapter 17
Tve taken driving lessons.”
…yeah, no, I don’t trust you with my expensive beauty. You’re going to crash her into a building.”
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“You don’t get a saying when you’re half–dead. Just hand me the keys, I hold out my hand until he reluctantly drops the keys into my palm.
Twenty minutes later, I’ve half–dragged Azriel into Elvira’s empty house. Her family is away for the weekend, and Elvira is at the dentist. It makes things easier since they wouldn’t like me bringing home the enemy and depositing him on the couch. His glamour has vanished now, revealing every wound.
“Take off your shirt,” I command, rummaging through the first aid kit.
Azriel raises an eyebrow despite his pain. “Eager, aren’t we?”
“Oh my god, shut up. You’re bleeding all over Elvira’s couch.”
“Black fairy blood won’t stain,” he mutters but grudgingly begins unbuttoning his shirt.
When he peels it away, I nearly drop the first aid kit.
He. Is. Magnificent.
Lean muscles and perfect abs.
But now isn’t the time!
I try to focus on the scars that are on full display. The fresh wound across his chest looks ugly too, oozing black blood. What is that burnt cinnamon scent? Is that a fairy thing?
“What do I even do with this when you’re not a human or a werewolf?” I whisper, setting the kit down.
Azriel chuckles. “Problem?”
“Uh, yes? How do I help you?”
Just clean my cut. My body will do the rest.”
“Alrighty then.
1 wet a cloth and gently dab at the wound.
“Not so…hard…be gentle!” Azriel hisses. His muscles tighten when he does, giving me the perfect shot of his perfect body. Why are the bad guys always so hot?
“You’re killing me with those dabs, Eden,” Azriel whines. “It burns!”
“Don’t be such a baby,” I mutter, trying not to blush when he stretches and all his abs flex. This is almost too intimate.
“I’m not a baby…”
“You are, which is a surprise. I thought fairies were tough.”
“We are.”
“You crying like a girl doesn’t convince me
I’d like to see you take a wound from an iron blade and not flinch,” he says.
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Chapter 17
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“Iron hurts you? Like in the stories?”
“Among other things.”
I continue cleaning his wounds, noticing every ridge of muscle on his body. His abs contract with each touch. Perfectly defined. Impossibly smooth.
“I have your attention now, don’t I?” Azriel murmurs in amusement.
My cheeks burn. “Don’t get cocky. I’m just assessing the damage.”
You’re checking me out.”
“Am not!”
“You are, but I don’t mind it. I like the attention, and your hands are very soft.”
I’m not touching you because I want to. I have to touch you to help you!”
“You’re definitely being more touchy–feely than normal.”
The arrogance!
“Do you want to be fixed or not?!”
“I do,” he makes a face. “Gods, I’m in pain.”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, well, next time try not to get stabbed with what you’re weak to.”
He grins weakly. “Sure! Next time, I’ll just ask them to use something less dramatic. Maybe a spork.”
Don’t laugh. It wasn’t funny.
I snort. “Honestly, you’d look great with a plastic utensil sticking out of your chest. Very distinguished.”
“If you’re volunteering to patch me up every time, I might start getting into more trouble.”
I shake my head, trying to focus on cleaning his wound rather than the way his skin feels under my fingertips. “You’re ridiculous.”
“And you’re surprisingly gentle,” Azriel murmurs, his violet eyes studying me closely. “For someone who claims to hate me.”
“I never said I hate you,” I mutter, reaching for a bandage. “I am just guarded since you’re planning to kill me. There’s a difference.
His hand catches mine, stopping my movements. “I tried to buy you time today.”
Our eyes lock, and something changes in the room between us. His fingers rest warm against my wrist, his touch surprisingly soft for someone so dangerous.
“Why?” I whisper.
Azriel’s gaze drops to my lips. It lingers there, making my breath catch.
Why is he looking at me like that?
…and why do I like it?
“I’m not entirely sure, he eventually admits, voice barely audible. “You’re… unexpected, Eden Felicity. When I’m with you, it
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almost feels like I have a soul.”
I snort. “Everyone has a soul.”
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“Not me,” he says, actually sounding vulnerable. Even his face goes gentle when he says in a low voice, “I’ve done terrible things. Things that would make you even more afraid of me, but when I’m with you, I feel different. You also make me want to be better.”
Those words shouldn’t affect me. Not when they are so cheesy and probably taken from a romance novel, but when my eyes meet his, my stomach flips.
He means what he said.
There’s no mistaking the look he is giving me.
I try to swallow away the butterflies and the bees inside my chest. What I’m feeling is dangerous. Azriel is my enemy, and he is still planning to sacrifice me, and yet….
I don’t know what comes over me, but I lean closer to him. Logic has left my body, and heat has taken over. My lips part, heart pounding fast as his large hand slides up my arm. The place he touches feels like it’s on fire.
Oh shit, we have chemistry!
My heart pangs faster, and Azriel smiles. “You shouldn’t trust me,” he whispers, but his violet eyes contradict his warning.
He wants me.
And I must be stupid because I want him back.
A second later, his mouth is on mine, kissing, tasting, and rocking my entire world.
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