Chapter 36

36

T wo days later, Vanth and Elektra were sitting in one of the library's alcoves with a pot of steaming tea beside them. Elektra was sitting between his legs, her back resting against his chest as they both read. Vanth knew he had to go back to Inferno, but he was enjoying the unexpected time off.

"I don't know what to do," Elektra said, drawing him out of his thoughts.

"About what?" he asked, closing his book and drawing her closer.

Elektra turned to look at him with her stormy gray eyes. "The temple needs rebuilding. There are only thirty left that we know of, and I don't know where that leaves us. I didn't expect you."

"I didn't expect you either. You should know I'm not a good team player. I don't think I could permanently fit in a place like this," Vanth said, his stomach bottoming out. He didn't like where this conversation was going.

"That's the problem. I don't think I fit in here anymore either. I still want to help the dead. I still feel a duty to protect them, but I feel like I shouldn't be hiding from the world here and only going out when I need to," Elektra said, her fingers toying with the necklace he was still wearing. She still wore the other half, and it felt like an inheritance of sorts.

Vanth ran his fingers over her arm. "Come back to Inferno with me, and we can figure it out. There's always going to be work there for a reaper for hire. I wouldn't be surprised if the city had been filled with ghosts again by now. It's just that kind of place. We can stay friendly with the temple and do jobs for them if they need it. We will just…freelance?"

"Freelance," Elektra said, turning the word over slowly.

"If you want. I can try this place out if you really want to stay. I'd probably make everyone hate me in less than a month," Vanth mused. "But I would still try for you. Just like we are trying out being mates."

"Trying out?" Elektra said, her eyebrows shooting up.

"Yeah, to see if we both want it," Vanth replied, trying to keep his face straight.

Elektra's eyes narrowed, and she was on him in a blink, pushing him back into the cushions and poking him in the ribs. He loved it when she was laughing and playing, all her usual composure gone.

"You are the one that put the mating bond on me. You can't change your mind!" she said while he laughed harder.

"How do you know it was me? You were the one on some mystical mating cycle," Vanth shot back.

"It's the male fae's role to do the bond," Elektra argued. "It's law and actual fact. I'm sure of it."

Vanth huffed out another laugh. "That sounds like posh fae boy propaganda to me. You're far more dominant than I am, so I think you did it." Vanth caught her attacking hands and tugged her close until their noses were almost touching. "Admit it, darling, you just couldn't let all of this walk away." Elektra shoved him back until she had his hands pinned down on either side of his head. "You see? My point exactly, princess."

"Infuriating male. I hate it when you're right," Elektra whispered and kissed him, giving his lip a sharp nip full of the promise of things to come. Whatever happened next, he knew that they would figure it out together.

"I know, but you'll get used to it," Vanth said because he couldn't resist.

He kissed her outrage away until she melted into his arms. Right where she belonged.

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