Page 70 of His Darkest Desire

Frowning, Vex began serving food onto Kinsley’s plate. “It seems your presence has emboldened them. But loath as I am to admit it, I’ve undoubtedly made for poor company during much of our time here. We’ve you to thank for the change.”

“Gradual though it may be,” Echo whispered.

Kinsley’s smile was soft, touched with a hint sadness at knowing their circumstances. “But at least you weren’t alone.”

“Indeed,” Vex replied.

The pile of food on her plate grew, soon surpassing what Kinsley would’ve been able to eat. Not that she was particularly hungry this morning—she’d awoken bloated and a little crampy.

“Vex?”

“Hmm?”

Kinsley eased a little closer to him. “I think that’s more than enough.”

He paused, and for the first time since he’d begun serving food, glanced down at her plate. The wisps laughed again, a little louder this time. Vex’s nostrils flared with a heavy exhalation. He retook his seat and leaned back, propping an elbow on the arm of his chair.

She tried to hold back a grin but failed. He just looked so…flustered, and she found it adorable. Vex must’ve been out of his element, having been without company besides the wisps for a very, very long time.

Unless…it had something to do with what had happened last night.

Blushing at the memory, she picked up a scone and split it in half. “Thank you.”

Vex nodded. His blazing eyes were fixed upon Kinsley as she spread cream and jam on the scone, unwavering in their intensity.

“Are you going to eat?” She took a bite, nearly groaning at how good it tasted.

“For now, I am content to watch.”

“You know it’s rude to stare.”

His brows rose slightly. “Is it not also rude to speak with one’s mouth full?”

Kinsley chuckled, covering her mouth with a hand. “You sound like my mum.”

“Doubtful.”

“You do.” She swallowed before speaking again. “It’s a bad habit of mine. Always has been since I was a kid. And she always calls me out on it, even as an adult.” Frowning, she stared at the scone in her hand. Talking about her mother only reminded Kinsley what her family must’ve been going through.

Shade glided closer, the ghostfire around their darker core dwindling. “You miss your kin?”

“I do, and I know they’re worried about me. I spoke to my mum before the accident, and I was supposed to call her back when I reached the cottage I was renting, except… Well, here I am.” She looked up and forced her smile back into place. “At least I’m alive, right?”

Something softened in Vex’s gaze. “You are.”

“I just wish there was a way to let them know that.”

“Your kin…they dwell across the ocean, as you did?”

Kinsley nodded, taking another bite of the scone. “My parents and older sister still live in the United States. I moved back to England a few months ago and lived with my aunt for a little while to get my bearings before setting out on my own. I just…needed to get away.”

“To escape your pain.” Vex scowled and clamped a hand on the arm of his chair, digging his claws into the wood. “Because of Liam.”

Kinsley paused her chewing to stare at the grooves his claws were making. She recalled his words from the night before.

He did not deserve you, Kinsley.

Vex was jealous.