Page 49 of Heimlock

“What the Hells have I missed?” Fynn says, bewildered. I can’t look at him.

“Nothing.” Both Kyrielle and I snarl the word, looking away from one another.

“Okay …” Orliana murmurs. “Now that the weird foreplay is over, let’s eat.”

Talia almost spews out her wine. She coughs, slamming a fist against her chest. Reaching for her water, I hand it over, refusing to look at anyone.

We don’t look at each other for the rest of the meal. Maybe I took it too far. Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve done that. Around Kyrielle, I’m a mix of confusion. One minute, I want to fall on my knees and worship her. The next minute, I want to redden her ass for leaving me all those months ago. For pushing me over the edge and solidifying my belief that I’m unloveable.

Maybe it would all be solved by a conversation. But I’m far too terrified of another rejection — I’d rather accept the rejection ahead of time. It’s safer that way.

19

Three days later, and I still want to strangle Trinte. That entire scene at dinner was his fault. Now Orliana won’t stop asking what’s going on. Something I was trying to avoid, but the conversation is inevitable.

Which is why I’m sitting at this table, inside this Glyridite coffee shop, waiting for her to appear. I’ve ordered her preferred latte and snagged her favorite table. While I wait, I admire all of the glitter covering every surface. While Glyridites are disliked in Gondora, I personally love the sparkling colors. Plus, one of their photographers will be a Glyridite.

This place is so cute, it makes me sick.

Moxie finds me first, her gold cloven hooves landing next to my half-eaten muffin. She takes a bite, her tiny tail wagging with pleasure.

“Thief,” I grumble.

She ignores me. Orliana walks up, breathless and smiling. “So sorry, Joulian woke up late, and it threw everything out of whack.”

I push over her latte. “I got you covered.”

She hums with happiness as she takes the first sip. Moxie takes another bite of my muffin. I glare at the ugopeg, who pretends like she can’t see me.

Orliana spares no time for small talk. “What in the Hells is going on with you and Trinte?”

The cup in my hand groans as my fist tightens. Relaxing my fingers, I say evenly, “What do you mean?”

“Honestly, Kyri, I don’t have the patience. Fynn recommended we don’t do family dinners until the two of you fuck or fight it out, whatever it is.”

“Too late,” I mumble, looking away.

“Excuse you?” she says sharply. “When in the twelve Hells did you screw Trinte?”

I sigh, leaning back in my chair. “Do you remember that speed dating event? From like eightish months ago?”

“Yeah, the one I refused to go to?”

I smile. “Yes, that’s the one. Do you remember how I mentioned hooking up with someone?”

Her brown eyes bulge. “No.”

I pick at the coffee lid with a nail. “It was supposed to be uncomplicated. He goes to the battle gym, so we agreed to a one-time thing. Then he walked into the club with you, and it’s … spun out of control since.”

“You guys had sex again?” she hisses.

“No!” I say sharply. “I think going over there a few weeks ago made things complicated.”

She snorts. “You think? I can’t believe you went over there. What were you thinking? I gave you that address thinking you both had, I don’t know, developed something when texting about our outfits or whatever. Not that he was the one who had you on the—”

“I know,” I interrupt. “I don’t know why I went over there. He was cruel and—”

“He was cruel?” She frowns. “Trinte isn’t cruel.”