Page 180 of Crystal Luna
Velora opened her eyes and grinned at Isaiah, who had a mixture of fear and amusement written on his face. “I save the best for last,” she told him.
“Somehow that only terrifies me more.” Isaiah chuckled but it wasn’t as light as usual.
“Please don’t knock him out longer than a few hours, a day at most.”
“Afraid you’ll have to pick up his workload, Asher?”
“Petrified.”
She smiled up at the two of them. She’d expected them to be upset over what she’d done, yet there they were joking about it.
“We have a little something for you. So why don’t we get you home and into something comfortable?” Isaiah suggested.
“I still have to clean up the mess I’ve made.”
Asher’s eyes blanked briefly, then he spun her by the shoulders in the direction of their home “It’s taken care of. Let’s go.”
Chapter Forty-Five
Asher
Thirty minutes later Vel sat on the couch with him on one side and Isaiah to the other. Asher handed her the wrapped present and watched with excitement as she eyed it suspiciously.
“It won’t bite you,” he chuckled.
“Will it make me cry?”
“Maybe,” Isaiah admitted, feeling just as anxious as Asher.
Then with a quick rip of the wrapping paper, Vel let the sketchbook fall out into her lap. Surprised, she picked it up and flipped through the empty pages. Isaiah handed over the other present they’d wrapped up and she grinned when she shook it.
“The pencils?”
“Yes, but if they aren’t the right ones we’ll replace them.”
Vel unwrapped those as well and her smile widened. “Thank you.”
“We found an old sketchbook of yours, but since you haven’t even looked at your old belongings, we thought a new one might be better,” Asher softly explained.
They both leaned in and placed a kiss on either cheek before giving her some space to enjoy her gifts.
Asher watched from the kitchen where he prepared dinner as she picked out a pencil and drew the first line of many. She seemed to be in the zone, which was exactly why they’d bought her a sketchbook. She’d been through so much shit over the past few days without the possibility of distraction. They were happy to provide one for her—other than violence.
Asher wasn’t upset about her confrontation with Larissa—not even surprised. Larissa had always been cocky, just like him. That’s probably why they’d gotten along so well for years: they were good for the other’s ego.
They spent the evening near her, but without distracting her from the masterpiece she was working on. Isaiah had even brought work into the living room, spreading papers out in front of the couch and sitting by her feet. Every now and then she’d reach out and stroke his hair before repositioning the sketchbook.
Asher moved between the living room and the kitchen, supplying Vel with sustenance while helping his brother with the supply list of things they’d need to get before winter struck again. He snuck a few caresses himself, loving how easy things had become between them.
It seemed like way too soon that Vel retreated to her bedroom, the sketchbook clutched tight to her chest. She didn’t invite them to follow but after allowing them to be so close to her all afternoon, Asher didn’t even mind. She had a right to be alone.
Just as they cleared the papers on the floor, Axel requested them. ‘The rogue has just made contact with me.’
‘Find us in our office,’ Isaiah ordered.
A few minutes later Axel stepped into the room. His gaze was hesitant, his overall demeanour more submissive than usual.
“The rogue has called me to let me know that they took the bait and are preparing for an invasion. They’re afraid we’ll find the bodies we’ve staged. They are planning on sending in three groups, one of which our informant will be leading.” He advanced into the space and laid out a map on the desk. “I marked down where each group will head after passing the border.”