13. Lorna

As soon as Kenrid left to get our food, I fell back onto the sofa. Damn, that kiss was amazing. It wasn't even that long; it was just … wow. It was like his lips were made for me, which sounded so stupid in my head I'd never say it out loud.

It's because his magic was made for you,my dhampir said.

Oh? And when did you become so knowledgeable, Ms. I'm-only-one-day-old?

She laughed at me. Damon said it, so it must be true.

She had a point. Whatever.

I rolled off the sofa and grabbed Kenrid's bag from by the door. I rummaged through it, finding a couple pairs of blue jeans, some Henleys, T-shirts, and boxer briefs. I took one of the heather gray T-shirts, but it didn't feel right to wear someone else's underwear. It was just weird. Was it any weirder than wearing Elliott's sweatpants without panties? Maybe not.

I'd probably be putting those same sweats back on because Kenrid's blue jeans would just fall off me without a tie string. He looked to be all lean muscle, but I was just skin and bones. Hopefully I'd be able to eat more than one slice of pizza this evening.

I snagged a pair of boxers to go with the T-shirt, then pushed open the bedroom door. Damon hadn't moved. His back rose and fell with each of his slow breaths, making his scaled body shimmer under the dim lights.

And his wings. Holy shit, they were so big! I hadn't really had the chance to see just how enormous they were. They stretched from one side of the king-sized bed to the other, draping over each end. Long claws extended from the top joint. Would that be an elbow? I had no idea, but they looked deadly the way they curved into a sharp point.

He had a fricking tail! How had I not noticed it last time? Or the enormous hooves instead of feet?

I shivered, not with fear but with fascination that this deadly creature could be so very soft. No, not soft. Compassionate, maybe? Caring? Or just dedicated? I wasn't sure how to describe the way he treated me. Maybe I didn't need to define it.

I tiptoed past the bed and the sleeping demon and slipped into the bathroom. Slate tiles covered the floor and walls. A long vanity with two sinks covered the right side except for a small cubby with the toilet. A bathtub took up the first several feet on the left, followed by a glassed-in shower.

My gaze lingered on the tub. I couldn't even remember the last time I"d soaked in a bath. It'd have to wait, though. I wasn't doing it with two men in the other room. I stripped off my clothes and enjoyed a really hot shower instead.

When I wandered back into the living room—I'll call it that for lack of a better term—Kenrid had three boxes of pizza spread out on the low coffee table. He sat on the sofa facing me with his phone up to his ear. His emerald eyes made a burning path from my wet hair down my chest that was covered by his T-shirt. He smiled when he reached the baggy sweats covering my legs.

My mind immediately went to how his lips felt against mine. My face flushed, and Kenrid winked at me.

"We'll be heading back out as soon as Damon is ready," Kenrid said to whoever was on the phone.

It wasn't dark yet, so I assumed it was Elliott. Kenrid waved me over and pointed at the boxes of pizza, tempting me with their promise of pepperoni goodness. I dropped into the seat next to him and started rummaging through my choices.

I should've been freaking out over his proximity, the way the boxes were haphazardly stacked on the table, and the fact that I didn't have a plate. But I wasn't. Was my dhampir right? Had it just been a product of her being locked away without an outlet?

Kenrid hadn't given me an answer earlier, but I couldn't blame him. I'd totally distracted him with my neediness. Something else I'd never had. I felt like everything in my life was changing. I could either fight it—and probably lose—or adjust. I wasn't used to change. Every bit of it scared me.

"Did you flip the laptop over?" Kenrid asked the person on the other line. A few seconds later, he laughed. "Let me know what you find. Lorna and I will be awake for a couple more hours. I'm not expecting Damon to move until midnight at the earliest."

A moment later, he tossed his phone on the sofa and leaned back, draping one arm behind me.

"Everything okay?" I asked, picking up a slice of pepperoni and sausage.

"Yes," Kenrid replied. "Elliott's been going through the boxes they took from Conrad's estate. They've found some interesting stuff, but he wouldn't discuss it over the phone."

I took a bite and moaned with pleasure. I'd missed out on so many meals over the last few weeks. Pizza wasn't even one of my favorites, but it felt like it at the moment.

"Can I ask you something?" Kenrid's voice was low and a little guarded.

"I guess," I hedged, not taking my eyes from my dinner.

"Did they hurt you?" he asked.

"No," I whispered, knowing what he really meant to ask. Did they rape me? "Not physically. The isolation was awful, more so than I could've imagined. Conrad's mind games with his blood were even worse, though." I set my slice of pizza back in the box. "Jared pretended to be nice to me, but he never once offered me an extra meal or even a bar of soap. They never hit me or anything like that, but they messed with my head."

I let out a long breath. It felt good to actually say it out loud. What they'd done was awful, but it also could've been far worse.

"We expected to find you battered and broken," Kenrid murmured. "We'd even prepared for the possibility of you being dead. I can't tell you how relieved I am that we were wrong."

I shifted in my seat and looked up at his beautiful face. He hadn't let go of his glamour, but it didn't change how handsome he was. I reached up and laced my fingers through his hair. Their silky strands almost made me jealous. Mine would never be that soft.

"What happens when I get to New Orleans?" I asked.

Kenrid pulled my hand into his. "Do you remember the man that Conrad brought to you during your first week there?"

"You mean the one with the wild hair and strange gray eyes?" I asked. He'd been my only visitor besides the vampires.

Kenrid nodded. "He's the reason we found you. He's a friend of Elliott's." My eyes widened, and Kenrid gently squeezed my hand. "His name is Jonah. He believes that Conrad was recording everything that happened in your cell. We'd like to release the video of you shunning the master vampire and his lackeys."

My body tensed. I'd nearly lost control when the asshole filled my room with vampires. Had it not been for the slight reprieve my visitor—Jonah—gave me, I would've lost it. I knew Conrad or his people had been watching me. Of course they'd record it.

"Why?" I asked, my voice cracking. "Why would you share that video?"

"A dhampir cannot deny that many vampires," he said, gently gripping my chin with his free hand and forcing me to look up at him. "A dhampir also cannot stand next to Nathan and Damon without reacting. We'd like to convince everyone that you are not dhampir. It's the best way to keep you safe."

His plan sounded good in theory, but only if I could pull it off. I wasn't sure I could.

"How do I convince everyone that I don't want to …" My face flushed. I couldn't finish that sentence after the kiss I'd just shared with Kenrid. I very much wanted to run my tongue all over Damon. Well, my dhampir did.

Kenrid graced me with one of his smiles, and some of my anxiety melted away.

"I think I have an idea," he said. "I'm sure Damon won't argue." He released my hand and my chin. "You don't have to keep your hands off Damon. He's already claimed you as his mate. So, everyone will expect to see you lusting after him."

My ears burned hot with embarrassment and a little discomfort. "But what about you?" I asked. "Damon's not the only one I want. I know he said it was okay if I gave myself to you, but how do you feel about that?"

A slight blush bloomed on Kenrid's cheeks. It was adorable. I almost leaned forward and kissed him again but held myself back. We needed to talk about this.

"Lorna, having multiple partners is not new for me," he said. "Normally, talking about it would not be uncomfortable, but I find myself wanting only you and no one else. I'm sure it's because of the way your magic calls to mine." He rubbed his hands on his knees but didn't take his eyes from my face. "I'm a little jealous of your interactions with Damon, but being alone with you now erases that jealousy. I agree with him. As long as I can have my time with you, I won't deny you your time with him."

I just stared at him with widening eyes. I wasn't sure I felt the same way. If I saw him with another woman, I'd probably lose my mind. Which made me the biggest hypocrite on the planet.

"What if you want to be with someone else?" I asked, hating the ugly green monster rising with just the thought. "If you're used to multiple partners, I can't ask you to give that up." I bit my lip and mentally beat down my jealousy.

Kenrid laughed, and I frowned at him. What could possibly be funny?

"Let's not borrow trouble," he said, still smiling. "Right now, I want you and no one else. I'm going to take a lesson from Damon's Book of Wisdom and trust that my magic has made the right choice for me."

I wasn't sure how I felt about his declaration. It was easy to say that now, but everything could change tomorrow, as my last few weeks had easily demonstrated.

"Finish eating," Kenrid said. "You need the calories."

He opened the box next to mine, revealing an all-veggie pizza. I hoped to be eating a slice of that one too.

Maybe a piece of fae for dessert,my dhampir purred.

My already hot cheeks flared again. Stop it! I whined. You're turning me into a needy bucket of lust.

Satisfy that need and maybe I'll stop,she countered.

I don't believe you.

That's because I'm lying.

She laughed, and I smiled.

"I'm guessing your dhampir is providing entertainment again?" Kenrid asked, selecting a piece of pizza.

"Yeah." I picked up the slice I'd started earlier.

We fell into a comfortable silence while we ate. I managed to eat two slices of pizza, but as soon as I finished, I was exhausted. I felt like a baby. Now that my tummy was full, I was ready for bed. I hated it. I'd never been a super athlete, but this shit sucked. I just hoped it didn't take too long to come back from.

A jaw-popping yawn from me had Kenrid packing up our dinner.

"Shall we try to get some sleep before Damon wakes up?" he asked.

"That's probably a good idea."

We pulled out the sofa bed and found a couple extra blankets and pillows stashed in a tiny closet. I stood on one side while Kenrid pulled back the covers on the other side.

I knew I should be arguing about sharing my space. I'd never agree to sleep in the same bed with someone who was essentially a stranger. Until now. Kenrid wasn't a stranger, though, was he? My heart swore up and down we'd known him forever, even if my mind knew better.

Didn't I tell you I got this? my dhampir scolded.

Yes, but it's hard to just flip a switch after a lifetime of isolating myself.

She huffed, and I could swear she rolled her eyes at me. I'll take care of your social awkwardness if you keep me from freaking out on the hotties.

I almost laughed out loud. I've never called anyone a hottie. Where did you hear that?

Did you forget how much you like to read?

I scrubbed my hands over my face and shook my head to keep Kenrid from seeing my grin.

"Are you okay to share the space?" he asked, misinterpreting my gesture. "I'll do my best to stay on my side."

"I think so," I replied, letting a smile slip.

"If you're sure?" he asked again.

I swallowed hard. "Yeah. I'll stay on my side."

Kenrid smiled. I rushed to get beneath the blankets while he pulled the curtains closed and turned off the lights. A moment later, a wave of magic fell over me, and my ears popped.

"I've warded the room," Kenrid said. "No one can get in or out. If you want to leave for anything, tell me first."

I nodded and yawned again. Kenrid stepped around to his side of the bed and grabbed the edge of his shirt. I rolled over so I couldn't see his bare skin. I already wanted a repeat of our kiss, but it'd be stupid to jump into a relationship right now.

Keep telling yourself that lie, my dhampir chided.

Shut up and go to sleep.

The mattress shifted with Kenrid's weight, but true to his word, he stayed on his side. I fell asleep way faster than I thought I would and dreamed of the man next to me not staying on his side of the bed.