Page 126 of Serpent & Saviors

“Yes, Sir.” I stood shakily and opened the envelope. “Oh, there are names and numbers on them.”

I looked up sharply, and the confidence in his eyes put me at ease. My curiosity was truly piqued at this point. Once I had handed them out, Andrew directed me back to my seat.

“I’ll try very hard to answer correctly and not disappoint you, Sir.”

He shot to his feet and was yanking me from the chair in five seconds. His arms went around me, and then he fisted my hair. His lips descended on mine, and everything faded. I gasped as sparks licked my skin, and the heat only he could ignite in my stomach flared to life.

I shuddered at the sensation, my pulse beating so hard I couldn’t hear anything. At that moment, I wanted to forget these questions and drag him back to our room and devour him.

Sebastian cleared his throat. “You two need a minute? We can come back later.”

I pulled back as my face burned. “Andy,” I breathed.

With a final nibble of my lower lip, he released me. “Sorry, angel. I told you every time you speak nonsense, I’d kiss you, no matter what. Now you know I’m serious. And just so your mind is at ease. You aren’t answering the questions, I am.”

“Oh.” I swallowed hard.

“You’ll see. These have been modified from the original seven, specifically two of them. I saved those for the girls, who will go last. Question number one, please.”

Bash grinned. “I love that you granted me this one Counselor, You know it’s my favorite.” He grinned before reading the question out loud. “If Victoria lost her memory, what’s the first thing you’d do to remind her of who you are to her?”

Andrew turned toward me and spoke directly to my heart. “I’d pull you over to the window like this.” He took my hand and led me to look out over the sandy beach. Outside, running without a care in the world, was Declan.

“I’d point to the little boy you’ve blessed me and the entirety of our family with. I’d say see how his hair catches the light, the gold represents you and the copper, me. We made that together. I’d tell you I never wanted children before him, before you. That you gave me something no one else could or ever will and that I’m eternally grateful for your sacrifice and for keeping him safe.”

Declan turned and caught the two of us staring and waved excitedly. A happy sob ripped from my chest as Christopher King swooped him up, and he squealed. Andrew led me back to the chair.

“How did I do?” he asked humbly.

“What do you mean?” I squeaked.

“Did I pass or fail? Bash is going to keep count.”

“Definite pass.” I grinned.

“I’m next,” Nikolai said, drawing my attention.

“Counselor, at what moment did you fall in love with Victoria and know she was it?”

“I’ve thought about this one a lot. Something not all of you know is that my little angel here writes poetry. And on the second night I had her all to myself, I took her to the teahouse for some poetry readings. Despite shaking, she stood and shared something from the depths of her heart that haunts me still. It was a depiction of life for four little girls named after seasons. Little did I know at the time just how meaningful it would be.”

“You didn’t tell us that?” Kinsley said, pouting. “I want to hear it, don’t you Izzy B?”

“Maybe later. I’d actually like Marcel to dig a little deeper. What about it made you fall in love with her?” Isabella asked, her eyes narrowing.

That was when it hit me. The questions he was asking were for them, to prove to them he was worthy. Of me. A shift happened, and he looked in my direction.

“I see you’re catching on. Such a smart girl. As you wish, Isabella. I knew she was experiencing trauma and the internal fight I had raging inside me to be the professional I know myself to be slipped each second she stood and spoke. I couldn’t tear my eyes from her and for the first time in my entire life, I was reduced to simply being a man. Not a friend, not a grandson, not a trauma counselor, or even a brother.”

He paused for a moment and then looked at his friends. Isabella cocked her head to the side and motioned for him to continue.

“The beauty before us made me realize in mere seconds that I was only existing in this world, not truly living. I’d never wanted to be more to someone than at that moment. I chalked it up to her ex being my bully. I couldn’t have been more wrong. It was her, always her.”

A silence hung over the room, and I bowed my head, feeling embarrassed by his declarations and the scrutiny Isabella was giving him.

“Pass or fail, Nik?”

“It’s a pass. Personally, I enjoy seeing this side of you. It’s like meeting a new friend within the old.” Nik’s face broke out into the biggest grin.