Page 103 of Mated on Live
“I look forward to it,” Sophie promised, waving them off.
Korvii chuckled, clapping Serval on the shoulder. “I’ll admit that your female won this time. But Hela will come back next time and beat her!”
Serval sent him a short grin that didn’t reach his eyes and nodded once. Korvii laughed, oblivious, as Hela sent Sophie a soft smile before leading him out.
The door slid shut behind them with a solid thunk.
The silence that remained in their wake was loud.
Serval hadn’t moved since he came inside. The space between them seemed like a large canyon, echoing with the last words he’d left her with.
Sophie said nothing. Her smile was gone. She stared at him, waiting.
He grimaced, patting his fist against his thigh awkwardly. He licked his lips, took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and faced her directly.
“First,” he started, voice firm and steady, “allow me to apologize.”
Sophie said nothing, but she blinked. That was good enough for him to continue.
“I’m sorry. The way I spoke to you was unacceptable. I was being rash and angry, and I let myself say things I didn’t mean.”
Sophie cocked a single brow. He took a step forward.
“I wasn’t thinking.” He shook his head. “No, more than that. I was reacting emotionally. After seeing how… how carelessly you acted towards that visruthi male, I was afraid of what might happen if you were to be in an even more dangerous situation.”
“I’m not careless,” she finally spoke, and he winced at the coldness in her tone. “You think I don’t know the difference between a seedy bar and an illegal market? You really think I would have gone down there dressed all sexy and taunted people openly after you told me what it’s like?”
He said nothing, but his eyes tightened, confirming he did, indeed, think exactly that. “I shouldn’t have said what I did.”
“No, you shouldn’t.”
“But I thought you’d insist, and I cannot put you in danger.”
Sophie let out a quick sigh of aggravation, unfolding her legs but crossing them primly at the ankle as she grabbed the arms of the chair.
“Serval, do you know why I taunted that male? Why I thought it was okay?”
He smiled softly. “Because you’re a fierce female who fears nothing.”
She had to fight not to smirk. It was a good answer. But not the right one.
“I did it because I felt safe.”
He cocked his head curiously.
She sighed again, softer and more resigned. “I felt safe, Serval. Because you were there.”
He flinched like she had struck him.
“I felt safe because I knew if I needed you, you would be right there to protect me. If I knew that blowing a smoke ring at him was an invitation, I wouldn’t have done it. But I knew that even if something went wrong, you had my back. Just like I knew you wouldn’t let me smoke anything too dangerous, so I didn’t insist on the gold stuff. And how I know you’ll take care of me, so I don’t fight you when you suggest something. I might tease you about it, I might be playful, but if you tell me I’m better off not having or doing something, I’ll listen.”
Serval’s head was hung in shame. “I know that. I just… couldn’t risk you down there. If you really wanted the gold smoke, I would have let you try it.”
She smiled. Just a bit. “I know you would have. And I know, if I did, you would have made sure I did it safely.”
“Of course.”
She pushed herself to her feet and crossed the room. Coming to a halt in front of him. She had her arms crossed over her chest as she looked up at him.