91: Ada's POV

Phoenix was still pretty severely hurt. He put on a brave face, but the limp wasn’t the only sign of what he’d been through that remained. There was something in his eyes— something slightly haunted. I was angry enough that I didn’t bother to ask any more questions about what exactly had happened. Something told me there was something akin to stark relief at the silence in my quarters.

He was draped over one of the leather couches, eyes fixated on the fire. I was reading a book about the history of High Fae across from him, glancing up at him as often as I could without it being obvious. How could he be so calm after everything that had happened? Not just his kidnapping and whatever torture his kidnappers had put him through... but everything last night. Why couldn’t I find the same state of calm? My nerves were all frazzled on the ends.

Every small noise made me jump. A bird had passed by the window a few minutes ago, and I’d nearly leapt out of my skin. Hell, a small shoot of ice had shot forward from my hand. Phoenix had arched his eyebrow, a slow smirk on his face. I’d flipped him off and returned to my book.

Now, his eyes were slowly closing. His breathing was even, deep. There wasn’t a fraction of tension in his body. He had changed into looser clothing, opting for a matching pair of sweatpants and a hoodie in dark green. His feet had thick, black socks on them, but no shoes. There was a set of stitches across his forehead— six from what I could tell from this distance. Smaller gashes and cuts had already mostly healed all over his face and neck. His bottom lip was still swollen and split. It was as if some blows had been dealt with magick behind them and others hadn’t.

Phoenix’s peppermint eyes shot open. I startled, dropping my book on the ground with a loud thud. He sat up straight, nose twitching. His eyes were fixated on something in front of him. I glanced at it and froze. A shadow was at his feet on the couch, slowly snaking around his ankle and up his leg like a slow-moving serpent. He cocked his head to the side and reached forward.

The shadow recoiled from his fingertips.

He chuckled softly. The shadow moved further up his leg, applying light pressure and soft, flickering touches. Phoenix’s eyes found mine, dancing with joy, “You aren’t even aware that this is you, are you?”

I sucked in a breath and furrowed my eyebrows. Were they? I blinked, flexing my hand. Just as I was about to argue, the shadows disappeared. I cleared my throat, “Sorry. No, I didn’t know that was me.”

“I’m okay, Ada,” he said, sitting up, the couch squeaking beneath his body weight, “You don’t have to worry.”

“I’m not worried,” I snapped at him.

Phoenix raised his eyebrows and held his hands up in surrender, “Whatever makes you feel better,” he grimaced as he stood up, “I could use some lunch. You in?” I managed a little nod, and he motioned toward the door, “Come on then.”

I looked down at myself. I had also changed out of the clothes I was wearing at breakfast that morning, opting for fighting leathers on the off chance that Phoenix had been up for some physical training. He wasn’t, and I was a bit surprised he wanted to go somewhere now. Surely, he wasn’t just taking me to his private dining area?

“Sure,” I drew out the word as I stood up, the uncertainty as transparent as cellophane, “Where are we going?”

“To town,” Phoenix opened my bedroom door, “There’s a little tavern there that I think you would like.”

My eyes scoured his body, resting on his socked feet before shooting back up to meet his. I motioned to his entire being, “Are you sure that’s the best idea?”

“Probably not,” he shrugged, “But I didn’t figure you’d go for riding my cock right now.”

The snort escaped me before I could stop it. His plump lips curved up into a smile as he motioned for me to step out into the hallway. It reminded me of the night he’d first led me through the passageways to his bedroom. There was something boyish in him at times, and it was such a stark contrast to the Alpha Prince that was always present when his brothers were around. I cocked my head to the side, planting my feet.

I crossed my arms over my chest, “How about we have Gwynn bring us something?” I sat back down, “Maybe we can talk a bit?”

He needed rest. I needed answers. He was right about me not being in the mood to ride his dick, though the hormones from the half-completed matebond were quite intense. But... I also didn’t want him to put himself through misery just to offer a distraction. And since he was feeling a bit more relaxed with it just being the two of us...

Phoenix returned to the couch, grunting as his body collided with the leather, “What is it that you want to talk about?”

“Why do you and Darius think Nik is the one who can’t escape his fate?” I crossed my legs, keeping my arms crossed over my chest as I watched him.

There was not a single ounce of surprise on his face. It was as if he’d known exactly what I would ask. Phoenix reached back and undid the bun he had his hair in, shaking the golden-fore locks loose, “Darius has hurt you tremendously. He’s done awful things, Ada,” Phoenix sighed, “He knows it, too. Yet, you’ve almost entirely forgiven him.”

“That’s—” I stopped myself. Was he right? Had I almost entirely forgiven Darius? Darius had certainly been doing a lot to make up for what he’d done, and I had definitely been kinder to him this morning. I swallowed, nodding, “Okay. You’re probably right. What does that have to do with anything?”

Phoenix chuckled lightly, glancing over at the door, “Compared to Darius, any wrongdoing that Nikolai has committed against you is nothing. And yet...” he trailed off, sending me a pointed look. When I continued to stare at him absently, Phoenix clucked his tongue, “Moon Goddess above, Ada. You haven’t forgiven him. You can barely look at him. The hurt there? It goes so far beyond anything you’ve felt for either Darius or me. You love him.”

“I won’t deny that,” I whispered as the door opened and Gwynn walked in with trays full of food, “It still doesn’t explain why he would be the one who won’t escape his fate.”

Phoenix sent Gwynn a smile and grabbed the fork and knife from the tray she set before him. “Ada, my older brother has been cold and distant my whole life.”

“So?”

“He will protect her with a ferocity others will not recognize in him.”

Fuck. They were right. Despite how much he tried to hide it... Despite all of the things he made me doubt with him, Nik would burn down the world for me. No matter what any of us did, Nik was dead.