Page 222 of The Bonds of Indigo

“Just take them.” I cut in quickly. “She’ll get mad if you don’t.” I’ve come to know this crazy woman quite a bit over the past two weeks.

The moment Amarah takes the plate, Kai’s shadow form grabs Xera around the waist, making her squeal before she slaps it across the face.

“Get off! Kai!”

Metal clinks against the plate, and I look down at our girl, who isn’t paying attention to whatever nonsense is happening across from her. She’s just eating.

I lean against the counter beside her and run my hand across her cheek, brushing her hair behind her shoulder. My fingers trace the sharp curve of her jawline. She’s lost weight during all this, so we’ll need to make sure she eats as often as she can stomach.

Her eyes lift to mine, and only after she finishes chewing does she ask, “How’re you?”

Smiling, I lean forward and kiss her forehead. “I’m okay, but fucking Beyond, Amarah—we were so worried.”

She leans into me, and I cup her cheek, my other arm wrapping around her shoulders. For a moment, the chaotic whatever’s-happening between Kai’s shadow and Xera fades away. I’m not sure if she’s been carried off or if I’ve just tuned them out, honestly.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper against her ear. “I should’ve just listened and taken you both back here. I just…”

“It’s okay, Lucifer. You were worried for Kayn and what your father would do. Nothing that happened is something I blame you for.”

Leaning back, I tip her chin up and study her eyes. They hold nothing but truth. She means it, and the knot of anxiety in my chest loosens more with each second I look at her.

“I want to kiss you, dollface,” I slip through the link, the connection as strong as ever between us.

Her lips curl into a soft smile. “What’s stopping you?”

“Just wanting to make sure it wasn’t a one-sided want.”

“Definitely not.”

That’s all the consent I need to lean in and press my lips to hers. My hand slides back, fingers threading through her white hair as I hold her to me. I have to consciously rein in my Vigoro or it’ll latch onto her like it hasn’t fed in years—despite the fact I’ve fed almost every night on Kayn.

She grips my shirt, keeping me right where she wants me.

As much as I’d like to continue making out with her, she really needs to eat. So, with a heavy groan, I pull back just slightly.

“Eat, and when you’re done, I’m going to go back to kissing you.”

With a soft nod, she releases me and returns to her food. I take a moment to register that Xeraphine is nowhere to be seen—nor is Kai’s shadow.

Amarah finishes eating—slowly, which I’m grateful for. I don’t need her getting sick. She’d mentioned her eating routine back when Kayn took her from Thornegate, and I know I still have so much to learn about her.

I’m excited for the prospect that I’ll get that: time with her. With both of them.

As promised, I went right back to kissing her. There was no intention beyond wanting to feel that connection again. I’m not carting her off to the bedroom to fuck her, though the desire certainly pulses through me. There’s still much to discuss, and I can already sense our brute of a Vampire approaching.

By the time the patio door opens into the living room and kitchen space, I’ve got Amarah sitting on the island countertop, standing between her spread legs. She’s been resting against my chest, letting me caress her back under Kayn’s shirt she’s wearing.

“Thank the Gods,” our Vampire huffs, crossing quickly toward us.

She leans away from me, and I step aside so he can fully take the space in front of her. Behind him, I spot Kairhyse approaching, hands tucked into his pockets and a smile pulled across his lips.

What a shame he boxes himself into just women. Or, well, just Xeraphine. He’s quite handsome—and that trick with his shadows? Yes, please.

Looking back at my two, Kayn is pulling away from a possessive kiss that leaves her gasping for air.

“Hey, little slayer, did you eat?”

She nods. “That shadow makes a mean stack of pancakes.”