Page 26 of The Dragon and the Dove

Sera sat up, rubbing the ache at the back of her head. Val was still out cold on the rug, her expression entirely serene.

Anouk moved about the room, tossing a blanket over her. Then, perched on the edge of the bed: ‘How did it go?’

‘Well,’ said Sera. ‘I think.’

‘How do you feel?’

‘Fine.’

It was a bold-faced lie. Her fingers were trembling, and she was not entirely sure she could stand up yet. But she could feel Ransom’s eyes on her, hear the strain of his breath in the silence.

She said, ‘I thought this one might go better without an audience.’

‘You mean without me,’ he said.

She hesitated. ‘Well, with all the shadows and the beasts … I just thought …’

‘Overkill,’ said Anouk, with a knowing nod. ‘I agree.’

Even now, his eyes shone gold. Jaw tight, fists closed. Who knew how many shadows were patrolling the perimeter of House Armand.

‘It can be a bit … overbearing,’ she said, carefully.

Ransom canted his head. ‘Me or the beasts?’

‘You know what I mean.’

‘I’m not sure I do.’

Her skull throbbed, and there was a familiar tightening sensation in her chest. ‘Can we talk about this later?’

His brows shot up. ‘Do you have somewhere else to be?’

‘Yes. In the future. When you’re in a better mood.’

He remained unamused. ‘You might be waiting a while.’

Anouk stuck her head in between them. ‘Is this how you two flirt?’

‘No,’ they chorused.

Sera scowled. ‘How did you even know we were up here? Did Theo tell you?’

The temperature in the room plummeted.

Even Anouk winced.

Ransom’s eyes darkened, the gold turning to burnished amber. ‘So you told Theo.’

Worse than that, actually. ‘I told Theo because I wanted it to be Theo. I thought we could try again.’

Ransom just stared at her.

‘Even I know that’s a bad idea,’ said Anouk. ‘It didn’t work the first time. Why waste your time? Or worse, risk your magic?’

‘Because it feels like …’ The truth suddenly sounded so pathetic. Because it feels like he’s disappointed in me. She went with: ‘Unfinished business.’

‘I see,’ said Ransom in a way that made her feel like he didn’t get it at all. He didn’t want to get it.