Closer #2
All of them are on Jayce’s team, and they begin talking about the attack today and praising Jayce.
The door opens, and a blast of ice and sleet is blown in before it’s shut. The hall is full, but those sitting opposite us have saved a seat, and only now, as they wave at the man who entered, do I realise who it’s for.
“Captain! Come on over, we are sitting with your friends from England,” Kaleeb says with a grin. Jayce’s scent, no longer dulled by blood and ash, fills my nose, and I inhale slowly, relishing the effect it has on me. It’s so addictive and calming.
I turn as he approaches; he’s not wearing a fur coat anymore, but sweatpants and a hoodie as he walks around and takes the seat his men have saved for him. He doesn’t even glance my way as he helps himself to some food.
“So, I heard you’re both part demon; that’s impressive,” Harrison, the man sitting on Jayce’s left and right opposite me, says.
“It’s not that impressive, just one of the many talents we have all around us,” Ahren says, that faint smirk still there. “In the presence of the Deimos King, it pales.”
All the men agree as they sing praises about their captain, a captain who only seems to be getting angrier by the minute.
What are you trying to do? I ask Ahren.
Making conversation, that’s all, Ahren replies through the mind-link, chuckling internally. I just wonder if Jayce is going to snap or not.
Ahren is simply sitting there as if not bothered, but the faint smirk on his face tells me he’s enjoying this.
“Tell us, Senorita Rossi, how are you finding the weather out here?” Vasquez asks me.
“It’s extremely cold, but I’m sure I’ll find a way to keep warm,” I say with a graceful smile.
Only when the words have left my mouth, and a few of the men smirk, do I realise that that could be taken in many ways, and although I meant it innocently, Jayce’s irritation shows he definitely didn’t take it the same way.
“Eat and get your report done,” Jayce says to Vasquez, whose eyes are still fixed on me with a small smirk on his face.
“I will, Captain,” Vasquez promises as he speeds up after flashing me a smile. I almost touch my neck where Jayce’s mark sits, but I resist. Glancing up, I notice Jayce burning holes into Vasquez.
Oh gods, this isn’t good. I’m tempted to tell Vasquez I have a mate before he goes getting ideas, but then again, I’m not here to make things easier for him. I’m here to win him over and earn his forgiveness.
So instead, I smile at Vasquez before finishing my soup and pouring myself some hot coffee.
I adjust my legs under the table, freezing when I brush against someone’s leg, knowing who it is by the tingles that dance up my spine.
I move it away as I look across at the table, where Jayce is staring at me with brilliant blue eyes that are simmering with anger before he looks away and stands abruptly.
“I’m heading to bed; you all better do the same. We’re on patrol in the morning.” With those words, he walks away, not sparing Ahren or me another glance.
I sigh softly, giving it a few minutes before I get up as well. “Goodnight, everyone. I’m going to head to bed, too.”
Ahren looks up at me, and I lean down, kissing his forehead.
Be careful, he says, and I nod before I turn and leave, heading towards the door that had shut a few minutes earlier.
Opening it just enough to squeeze out, I quickly step into the snow and shut the door behind me, wrapping my arms around myself as I make my way towards the barracks.
I’m barely past the mess hall building when a hand shoots out and grabs me by the elbow, and I’m spun around until I’m looking at a broad chest.
I gasp, realising instantly who it is by the sparks that dance through me at his touch. My heart hammers as his scent hits me despite the violent winds, and I look up into the blazing blue eyes of my mate.
“Jayce…” I whisper, and darkness falls over us, making the angles of his face sharper.
“You have no right to call me by my name. What the hell are you doing here, and don’t give me the same bullshit your brother did,” he says. My gaze flickers to his lips, and I can’t help but smile slightly.
I’m so close to him.
“Answer me,” he snarls, shaking me slightly, snapping me from my thoughts. His breath is hot against my skin, and his grip is impossible to ignore.
I resist the urge to brush the strands of my hair that are in my face back as I stare back into his eyes, letting my glamour fall away so he can see the real me. The demon whose mere appearance incites a man’s desire, his mark once more on my neck, and his eyes flicker to it.
“I’m here to fix what I ruined,” I say truthfully.
He’s not expecting that, his eyes widening ever so slightly before the shock is replaced with anger. And yet, his gaze dips to my lips, and I see the way his eyes darken as if he himself doesn’t know if he wants to hate me or fuck me right now.
“This isn’t a game,” he hisses.
As long as I get to be this close, you can do whatever you want.
“I never said it was, but I’m not the same Sienna who left this world for the Gods’ Realm, and this Sienna doesn’t back down.
” I lift my free hand and pat his cheek lightly; the touch is intimate, defiant, a challenge wrapped in playfulness.
His jaw tightens beneath my palm, but he doesn’t jerk away from it.
“See you around, Captain,” I whisper softly.
With those words, I tug free from his hold. Stepping away, I turn and head towards the barracks without looking back.