pushing into her body. “I want to stay here forever.”
Ember giggled. “Wow, I think we might kill each other if you do.”
I huffed a chuckle, and though thoughts of my brothers lay heavy on my heart, my mind had settled enough to think. “I told you before, not even death could take you from me. I’d find your soul in heaven or hell, or anywhere in between.”
She kissed me hard, her gaze piercing and intense. “Likewise.”
I slowly withdrew from her warmth and let her down. It was hard not to complain at the loss. She raised a brow and kissed the corner of my mouth before she ducked under my arm and padded into my bedroom. Water soon ran so I took a moment to recover. I leaned my forehead against the wall and considered what I needed to do next. Being with Ember might have seemed selfish, but all the fucked up things that had happened, D dying… I released a controlled breath. I’d needed that release, and close contact with my soulmate. It had given me a clear mind.
Ember padded back in and picked up her clothes, so I pushed off the wall and took my turn at the sink. I could feel her gaze on me, and gods damn it was tempting to go for round three, but I had many things to achieve tonight.
We both dressed, our movements interspersed with touches and brief kisses. I found I couldn’t keep my hands to myself, I needed contact with her. As soon as I let her go, my wolf began pacing and anxiety started to seep into my mind again. I tried to reassure him that she would be fine, but it didn’t work for long. “Come on, let’s go and find food and the others. I want to make sure Stone is okay.”
“I’m not sure he will be okay for a very long time...let’s face it...he wasn’t okay even before this.” Ember’s words were not vindictive, merely frank.
“I know.” I sighed, and ran my fingers through my hair. There was nothing else to say really.
I took her hand, and we walked quickly down to the food hall. The others were still there. Reed smiled at Ember and wiggled his brows. Reed was her friend and now my emotions were on a more even keel, I was able to process the attention Ember got in a rational way.
Kawan had opted to stay with Stone, and no amount of cold threats or protests from Stone deterred him from being by his brother’s side. I silently welcomed that loyal show of support, glad there would be no blame. The other’s stayed close to Stone, too. In turn, my half-fae brother seemed to settle a little; his clenched jaw muscles relaxed though his eyes remained empty. We ate together as a group, and Drake soon joined us. I just missed Rawson’s calm presence. Nope, I wasn’t going there. I hated that I didn't know what had happened to him. I couldn’t ask Zander and I had no idea if I’d be able to find Rawson and get him out with the rest of us.
“We need to talk,” I said to Drake once I’d quieted my mind enough to force some food into my stomach. “Em, we all have another long day tomorrow. Why don’t you go back to my cell?” It was half a request, half an order. I wanted her in my arms, and if she declined and went to her own cell, I’d just go there. After what we’d shared, I didn’t want to fight with her and I didn’t think she’d want to fight just for the sake of it, either. She nodded. “Of course, see you soon.” And a knot of anxiety unfurled inside my chest.
“Thank you,” I whispered before I slanted my lips over hers. Despite everything, my body instantly reacted to that contact. I pulled away, wondering if I should get Shane to escort her back to my cell. The mood was one of dark acceptance in the prison, but it didn’t mean those shifters left wouldn’t take revenge on my lover, if they got a chance.
“Owen would you stay? The rest of you go and get some rest.”
Reed and Myles said their goodnights and left, their arms wound tightly around each other. D was...gone. Stone and Kawan stood. Stone met my gaze, but his face remained implacable. I nodded at him and together they made their way out. Owen watched them go, gazing at