Chapter 69 Malice
MALICE
The memories of tonight will go down as the most erotic moments of Malice’s life, and he hates himself for it. Wandering down the abandoned streets of Valtara just after four a.m. on a Saturday morning, he is all alone. Perfect for the self-loathing he’s currently swallowing by the spoonful.
He tried to resist her. He really had. But she started taking off her dress and Malice found himself glued to the spot. Unable to move, unable to think about anything other than how much he wants her. Then she started touching herself and he knew it was game over. His resolve can only take so much.
Now, he regrets it. Regrets doing it. Regrets making it so rough. Regrets how much he enjoyed it. Regrets leaving Theo, Emrys, and Aerin after. Her rough voice calling after him…
Malice knows Theo and Emrys will dote on her.
Pamper her until she falls asleep in their arms, but he can’t stop the voice in his head telling him that he should be there.
That protecting her doesn’t just extend to her physical safety from outside threats.
That leaving her after that was worse than all the harsh words he’s thrown at her combined.
Sitting on a bench at the waterfront he watches as the dark waters slowly churn by.
Is there anything that can keep him out of the grasp of Aerin Tolvare?
When Malice considers everything that has changed since he arrived here, it seems like years have passed.
Everything inside of him has rearranged.
When had “home” started feeling like an apartment filled with boisterous and stubborn creatures?
When had Aerin’s problems become his problems?
When had a Wolf become his closest confidant?
And when had Malice stopped putting everything behind doors?
When had he allowed all these things to burrow inside of him and become who he is?
Malice realizes, admits for the first time, despite knowing it’s truth since he drank Aerin’s blood: there is no going back. He is irreparably changed. And if he doesn’t figure out a way to let himself be, he’ll be in agony for the rest of his life.
Reikan wakes abruptly under his skin, in a cold way that sends Malice’s senses on alert. They both listen and smell the air. There is nothing, only the briny scent of the river and the sounds of its slow progression. Only the deep shadows of the night.
[Go back to her,] Reikan warns. The tone is enough to have Malice on his feet, then off his feet as he takes flight. Fear grips him.
[What do you sense?] Malice asks the Dragon. Reikan seems to shake his head.
[I can’t be certain; it is just a feeling.]
Malice sprints into the lobby of the apartment building, scaring the doorman on duty.
He swears the elevator moves exponentially slower than normal, his heart ready to burst out of his chest. Running down the hallway, Malice unlocks the door, bursting inside to scan the apartment.
Everything is normal, exactly how he left it.
Malice can’t breathe until he opens her bedroom door and sees Aerin, sleeping peacefully sandwiched between Emrys and Theo.
Emrys opens his eyes groggily, meeting Malice’s. The Wolf nods his head towards the open spot on the bed, urging Malice to join them. Malice only shakes his head no, shutting the door.
He checks on Khortland and Reyna who are also asleep in their bed, before sitting down in the living room.
Malice doesn’t sleep. When the early morning light breaks through the curtains, he still can’t shake the cold feeling that arose on his skin as Reikan woke up, the feeling that something is wrong.