Chapter 12
Bianca POV
“You’re healing rather nicely,” Julian remarked as he zippered his bag. “I feel much better now that the marks on your arms have disappeared. You’ll still have tenderness around your shoulder for a while, but thankfully, it wasn’t a deep wound. I’ll let my mother know.”
“Okay,” I replied, looking down at my lap.
“It shouldn’t bother you much longer, though,” Julian said. “We all tend to recover faster than the basic human.”
I hummed, picking at the blanket.
“Shifters are the fastest to heal, of course,” Julian continued. “Followed by necromancers. Witches are the slowest, like they are in all things.”
“Hey!” Miles protested. He looked up from a seat at the bottom of my bed, where he’d slept overnight, and frowned at the necromancer. “That’s not very nice.”
Julian ignored him and touched my shoulder. “I think you’ ll be fine to go out today,” he said. “If that’s still something you want to do.”
“Yeah,” I said. My gaze lingered in the corner of the room, where my overnight bag had been placed.
“Darling…” Julian sat on the bed in front of me, and I finally looked at him. “What’s on your mind?”
“Do—do you think it’ll look bad?” I asked, touching my neck, and Julian frowned. I brushed my fingers over the thick linen wrappings. “What if someone asks me about this?”
“You look as perfect as always. Also, you’ll be with Bryce, and he’s in a mood. So I doubt anyone will approach you.” Julian leaned back as he looked me over.
What was that supposed to mean?
“But if you’re that concerned, you can borrow something from one of us.” He glanced at Miles. “I’m sure that someone has something that’ll work.”
Miles jumped up and left the room.
I bit my lip. I was going to be alone with Bryce. I hadn’t thought this through. Curse Damen for bringing out my impulsiveness.
“What else is wrong?” Julian asked.
“Do you think it bothers him?” I asked, and when Julian tilted his head in question, I sighed, “Bryce. Aren’t he and Brayden really important outside of being Officers? Someone mentioned it at school once.”
Julian raised his eyebrow. “What would bother him?”
I curled my fists in my lap, and my shoulders tensed. “Me,” I replied.
He hooked his finger under my chin and raised my face toward his. “What about you?”
“Just… me ,” I told him. Bryce wasn’t what I’d imagined my family to be, but I, with my history, was probably horribly disappointing. “Do you think he’s upset about my past? Are they embarrassed?”
Julian froze. The swell of a shadow crossed his features, but then it vanished as quickly as it’d come over him. He shook his head before responding. “Bianca, he immediately went out and tied his name to yours.”
My nails dug into my palm. That was true, but he didn’t understand.
“Bryce and Brayden are the furthest thing from embarrassed,” Julian said. “In fact, I’ve never seen them so worked up.”
Miles returned, and I looked at him as Julian got up.
“Here.” Miles stopped beside the bed, holding out a black turtleneck. “I got this from Julian’s room. Wear this with one of your skirts.”
I glanced at Julian—was it okay?—and he only nodded before returning to his task. He was looking down at his phone as he touched his forehead, something else apparently on his mind.
“Besides, his arms are the scrawniest.” Miles pressed the pile into my arms, his lips turning up into a grin. “Because he’s weak. The sleeves will fit perfectly.”
Julian frowned, snapping to attention at Miles’s words. The distant look left his face. “What in the world are you talking about? I can beat you in combat.”
“Maybe.” Miles nodded. “But I have more power than you. That’s why everyone knows you’re the least intimidating.”
Julian’s brows furrowed. “Are you trying to annoy me?”
Miles pressed his hand to his heart, his tone light. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. These are the simple words of someone still awaiting a ‘thank you.’”
Julian didn’t miss a beat in his reply. “That moment has passed. Why don’t you go downstairs and let the others know that Bianca will be ready to leave soon? ”
“Do it yourself,” Miles replied, the humor dropping from his expression. He crossed his arms, scowling. “Your chicken legs could use some building up.”
Julian’s frown deepened, “I—”
I’d been following the banter silently but felt obligated to interject. Bullying wasn’t nice, and Miles was being unkind. “I like Julian’s legs.”
I suddenly became the center of attention as Miles and Julian stared at me. Their amused—and slightly horrified—expressions made me flush. I hugged Julian’s shirt against my chest.
“I thought he was a model when we first met,” I explained, hiding my warm face behind the clothes.
Julian’s face turned from bewilderment to contemplation, and he stroked his chin thoughtfully. “You did mention that before.”
“She did?” Miles turned to Julian, gasping. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because that’s between us!” Julian’s cheeks darkened.
I glanced between them, not sure why Miles seemed so happy. “It’s a compliment,” I explained.
“I know,” Julian replied. He returned to me and placed my pleated navy skirt in my arms over his shirt. “Thank you, darling. Why don’t you get changed? Everyone is waiting downstairs.”
The two of them waited while I went into the bathroom to dress. A gold-gilded mirror was over the marble sink, and I studied my reflection.
My skin was paler than usual, and my hair was a mess around my shoulders, the untamed curls brushing against my hips. My skirt reached mid-thigh, and Julian was so much taller than me that his shirt fit me like a dress, only allowing for inches of the navy fabric to peek through.
I bunched up the long sleeves to my wrists and touched the top of the neckline. Thankfully, this way, no one could tell that I was heavily bandaged.
I exited the bathroom.
My attention lingered on the golden doorknob as Miles suddenly flounced toward me. “You’re finally ready!” he said, and I jumped as he grabbed my arm. “It felt like you were in there forever!”
“Don’t scare her,” Julian said. He was sitting cross-legged on my comforter but didn’t look up from his phone as he chastised Miles.
Miles made a quick motion back at him but turned back to me. “Sorry,” he said, the smile fading from his lips. “Did I scare you?”
I’d been startled, and my heart was still slowing. But Miles could never scare me.
“No,” I whispered. “You’re too cuddly. It’s impossible to be scared of you.”
“Cuddly?” Miles released me and touched his stomach. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
I blinked at him before glancing at Julian, who was now watching us warily.
I wasn’t sure how to answer. Was he feeling left out because I complimented Julian’s legs?
“You’re cute,” I said. My face warmed at the admission. But it was my job to help Miles be the best version of himself. Gentle encouragement and affection were desperately needed.
“You’re soft and gentle,” I told him. “It’s adorable.”
“I’m soft?” Miles sounded horrified, lifting his shirt. He poked at his six-pack, frowning deeply. “But—”
“Oh, just stop.” Julian moved elegantly to his feet. He stopped in front of Miles, snatched the edge of his shirt, and pulled it back over his stomach. “She’s talking about your personality. ”
“That doesn’t make it any better!” Miles’s cheeks turned pink, and he seemed unable to meet my eyes. “I’m tough!”
“You’re not tough; you’re nurturing,” Julian corrected, giving me a pointed look. I nodded.
Did I hurt his feelings? How was I supposed to know this was a sensitive topic?
“I think you’re really strong,” I said, petting his arm. My thoughts scattered as I tried to make this better. “You’re really hot, too. But you’re also sweet. So I could never be scared of you.”
The redness had completely covered Miles’s face, and he stared at the floor. “Thanks.”
Thanks ?
That’s his response? I had poured out my most horrifying inner thoughts and everything. Where did his response even leave me? It wasn’t like I could say, ‘You’re welcome.’
“Um.” I touched my fingers together, turning to Julian as I silently pleaded for help.
I was terrible at human interaction.
Julian rolled his eyes at Miles, turning back to me. “All right, do you want to head down now?”
“Yeah,” I told him. “Let’s—” My sentence dropped as the blood rushed from my head, and my body betrayed me as I swayed.
“Bianca!” Miles was the first to reach me and wrapped his arm around my waist before I could fall to the floor. “Are you okay?” he asked, picking me up and resting me on the bed.
“Just dizzy for a minute,” I said, touching my forehead. “It’s gone now.”
Julian was in front of me, touching my shoulders, as he tsked. “You should take it easy,” he said .
“What’s wrong?” Miles slid beside me. “Is it not healing? Do you need me to do anything? Does she need to see a real doctor?”
Julian shot Miles an even look.
“It’s fine,” he said. “Relax. Maybe you should rest another day before heading out.”
“N-no!” I protested. “I’m fine now. I want to go.” Before I could lose my nerve. It was difficult enough to wrap my head around the idea that Bryce and I shared marital funds .
“Are you sure?” Julian asked, brushing the hair away from my face. “I’ll order you clothes online. Just show me, and I’ll give you anything you want.”
I looked at him, “T-thanks, but no thanks. I have things I need to get at the store.”
“Then let me come too,” Julian said.
“You don’t mind?” I sat up and grabbed his hand. This would be so much better—now I wouldn’t be alone with Bryce. His serene presence was sure to offset Bryce’s annoying one.
“Of course not,” Julian replied. “I’ll always be with you.”
Miles coughed as he watched Julian with a raised brow. “You’re as predictable as always,” he said.
Julian glanced at Miles, mouth turning down, but his voice was smooth as he responded. “I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about.”