Chapter 32: Chapter 32

Raven

Dhol’s gaze followed Raven and Arenk as they drove away. Raven held the stuffed animal close, trying to shake off the icy stare she could still feel on her back.

Would he really take her for good? Did she dare to push him that far?

She couldn’t predict the fallout from such a move, and the last thing she needed was to make things more complicated or to be around him all the time.

Getting anything done with Dhol around was a challenge.

“Are you okay?” Arenk asked.

She nodded. “Just a little down.”

“I’m sorry about how General Dhol behaved. He could have handled things better,” Arenk said.

Raven noticed they were on a different road, and her hands started to sweat. Where were they going? She looked around, but nothing seemed familiar. There were no landmarks in sight.

They continued down the deserted road until large rocks began to appear. Arenk turned at a bend, and after about ten more minutes, a field of flowers came into view.

“Where are we?” Raven asked as the car came to a stop at the edge of the field.

“This is a burial ground,” Arenk said, reaching into the back seat.

“Who are we burying?” Raven asked, her heart pounding.

Arenk handed her a silver container. “I was hoping you could tell me. These are the remains of one of your people. The report said it was an elderly man. I couldn’t get everyone, but I managed to get him. I thought you might want to give him a proper burial, unless your people—”

“Thank you,” Raven said.

Tears blurred her vision. She knew who it was—the only older man in coach, the one who had offered to take her place at the helm during the crash.

Raven’s hands trembled as she tried to steady herself. Getting out of the car felt like the hardest thing she’d ever done.

She had been responsible for these people, and she had let them down.

“Is this place okay?” Arenk asked.

“It’s perfect,” Raven said, walking into the field.

She walked until she felt the wind and stopped in the middle of the flowers. Raven ran her thumbs over the cool container. Should she say something? What would he want her to say?

She closed her eyes. “Old man, you were too full of life and courage for your age. Quite the ladies’ man, you old flirt.” She smiled. “Thank you for your bravery in the end. I hope you found peace.”

Raven opened the container and let the wind carry his ashes away. The tears wouldn’t stop, and neither would the guilt. Arenk put his hand on her shoulder, and she leaned into him.

“Beautiful words. He would have been pleased,” Arenk said.

She nodded and they walked back to the car. The ride home was quiet, and Raven was grateful for it. When they got back, Arenk didn’t park in front as usual, but in the back.

Instead of taking the elevator, they climbed the stairs. Raven made a fuss, and Arenk ended up carrying her. With her face buried in his neck, she breathed in his familiar scent.

It was soothing, exactly what she needed right then. Arenk’s body heat rose, warming her up. With her arms around his neck, she could feel his pulse throbbing.

“Are you coming down with something?” Raven asked.

He stiffened under her. “No, do I look sick?”

“You’re really warm,” Raven said, touching his forehead and pressing her cheek to his.

“I assure you, I’m fine,” Arenk said.

When they finally reached Arenk’s apartment, Raven was surprised that it didn’t smell like Lyka. Or maybe Arenk had just gotten better at hiding it. That wouldn’t surprise her.

Arenk set her down on the bed and went straight to the bathroom. When he didn’t come back for a while, and she didn’t hear the toilet flush, she went to check on him.

Raven listened at the door and heard the shower running. Suddenly, she realized she needed to pee. Then it hit her: she hadn’t gone all morning.

Panicked, she rushed into the bathroom and was met with a sight that would make even the most seasoned woman blush.

Arenk was leaning against the shower wall, pleasuring himself. His skin was no longer gray but was slowly turning a light, golden color like his eyes. He opened his eyes and saw her.

Arenk didn’t seem surprised or embarrassed. Raven turned away and took care of her business. She hoped he would be finished by the time she was done, but he was still at it. She needed to shower.

His groans filled the air, and her skin started to tingle.

Raven watched him in the mirror, and with every stroke, she wanted him more.

“Are you going to help?” Arenk groaned.

“It didn’t look like you needed help. I just need to shower,” Raven said. “Why are you changing colors?”

“It’s been a while since…”

“Lyka hasn’t had time for you?”

He just stared at her. The sound of the running water, his muffled moans, and the way he was touching himself were the only things she could hear. Finally, Arenk stopped and stepped out of the shower.

He walked over to her, and she backed up until the cold counter pressed against her back.

Arenk took her hand and placed it on his hard length. “This is your fault. Pressing against me so tightly on the stairs, naked, breathing in my scent. Then you barge in on me in a private moment, demanding that I hurry while watching me with those hungry eyes.”

Raven’s heart pounded, and she rubbed her thighs together to ease the ache. Her body was reacting, and she could feel the wetness in her panties.

Arenk stroked her cheek with his finger. She bit her lower lip and put her other hand on his stomach. Arenk shivered under her touch and moved closer.

“Will you take responsibility for this?” Arenk asked.