Page 113 of First Ritual

Font Size:

Page 113 of First Ritual

Ugh. Had he just overheard that last part? I’d been lucky enough not to see him all day after our… encounter this morning. “Hey, Rooke, do you think you could give me and Bedwyr a moment?”

“How about I drop your bag off at your quarters?” she asked.

I felt our tether shine, and I took a plunge—because I’d never trusted anyone with the duffel that held the last possessions of my childhood, family members, and ancestors. “That would be great, thanks.”

Rooke blinked as our tether hummed. “Whoa.” She tightened her hold on the bag. “I’ll be careful.”

“Thank you,” I told her.

And then there was Bedwyr. Dang. Super awkward.

“How to start this conversation after I nearly jumped you this morning?” I asked him.

He laughed and rubbed the back of his head. “I was just coming to see you were okay after… that. You and Wild went to find Varden, but I went to the mission announcement and Varden was there. You seemed okay when you walked in with Wild, though.”

I was learning that under Bedwyr’s pleasant demeanor was a suspicious nature. Or perhaps jealousy had awoken that, which, if so, I was sorry for. “Wild figured it out. I shouldn’t have cast experimental magic so soon after the affinity test. That will learn me for pushing the boundaries. I’m embarrassed you saw me like that, and I really hope you aren’t offended.”

“Not offended. A sexy, gorgeous woman pleading with you to get in bed is more like a dream come true. You have no idea how hard I was after.”

“Not that I wouldn’t go there with you in general, but I don’t tend to get men in my bed that way.”

“What was the problem in the end?” He seemed to be asking less about what I’d experimented on and more about how Wild had solved it.

I perched on the bed. “I feel I owe you another apology, Bedwyr. About what’s happening with Wild.”

He sighed. “Yeah. I won’t lie that it hurt to see you guys holding hands. Is it true he’s dating you?”

I wrinkled my nose at the phrasing—like Wild had lowered himself to gift me with the experience of dating him. “We’re dating, correct. I just want you to know that when I assured you there was nothing going on with Wild, there wasn’t. Neither of us realized what was happening, and it was only yesterday when we saw there was more.”

Bedwyr nodded a few times. “All those rumors I asked you about, and you said no?”

“Were just rumors. I’m just people’s favorite subject right now being new.”

“Maybe,” he said. “There’s something about you, though, Bronte. I can’t tear my eyes off you, and it’s not only me. You’re interesting. Magnetizing.”

Me? Or was the demon inside to thank for that quality? I didn’t want people looking at me. “Thank you. I’m just another magus. I’m sorry your feelings were hurt, Bedwyr.”

“Wild only moved so fast because I showed interest,” Bedwyr said low. “You should hear him and those guys, so cocky about who they can get in bed. I wish… obviously I wish you’d chosen different. When things break up between you two, can you let me know?”

I wasn’t sure. There were a couple of subtle jabs in his last comment that I wasn’t a fan of. For one, implying Wild was only interested because Bedwyr had been. Then trying to badmouth the quad. Then trying to make me doubt what I had with Wild in the last comment too.

Not that I had anything with Wild. At least when Wild was being an asshole, he didn’t hide it between nice words though. “I’m a go-with-the-flow kind of gal, Bedwyr. If I’m free and you’re free one day, and we both feel something, then that something may happen.”

A slight frown marred the space between his brows. “Can I just ask about the orgy?”

“Before you do, I’ll ask you whether you believe there’s any truth in it?”

He colored. “That wasn’t the vibe I got from you. Then again, I believed you when you said nothing was going on between you and Wild.”

Aaand the gate to his higher brain functions just closed. “I understand those words are because you’re hurt. Let’s get some space before something is said that damages a friendship between us.”

Bedwyr backed down. “I apologize. It’s been a rocky few days.”

With being a rock? I almost laughed before gleaning the magus was unaware of his joke. “For me too. Goodnight, Bedwyr. I’ll see you tomorrow now I’m in Vero.”

“Yeah, I guess so. Night, Bronte.”

Bedwyr left.




Top Books !
More Top Books

Treanding Books !
More Treanding Books