— ZORYN —
I didn't expect to run into Ren on the way back despite knowing he had been nearby. His silhouette in the dim light of dusk is dark against the setting sun, and he seems lost in thought—so lost in thought that he doesn't even notice I'm approaching.
"Ren?" I call softly, trying not to startle him.
He still looks surprised, but he looks at me and answers stiffly, "Hey."
Oh, brother. Is he really going to act all awkward over this? I've only known him for a day; there's no reason for him to be all possessive… though, now that I think about it, I guess he hasn't acted on his possessive thoughts. That's rather impressive.
And… whether it's from the mark he gave me or not, I feel like gravity is pulling me toward him without my consent. I don't want him to feel uncomfortable around me, or like he has to avoid stepping on my toes—I'm grateful to him, and I really don't blame him for disappearing earlier after helping me. If I were in his shoes, I probably would have done the same.
My mind is still foggy whenever I try to recall the events after he and I arrived at that empty shrine… but I feel a warmth in my chest and gentle pressure against my lips. I'm sure we kissed, though I wish I could remember. I wonder if he's better than Sylas?
…Uh, no, I don't care about any of this. Whatever! Fuck. I shouldn't think about intimacy right now; my body is way too confused for that.
"You're still out here?" I ask, trying to distract myself.
He shifts his weight under my gaze, but doesn't look away from my eyes, "…Yeah."
I can't help it, I want to poke fun at him for standing around while I made out with Sylas. I know I was just thinking about how I don't want him to feel uncomfortable around me, but it's way too funny to pass up.
"I didn't take you for a voyeur," I tease, unable to stop the smirk that pulls at my lips. "Did you like what you heard?"
"It was an accident, and no, I really didn't like it," he answers earnestly, though his eyes are now downcast. "I apologize for invading your privacy."
My eyes widen instinctively.
Oh, shit. He just apologized? I was only joking, it really doesn't matter to me—poor guy, he's way too in his own head. I console him, "I didn't expect you to be so honest—or say sorry. Honestly, it's not a big deal."
He visibly relaxes at my words, and his pointed features look so handsome no matter what expression he's wearing… I want to tease him just a little, one more time, to see his brows furrow all cute—then I'll stop!
"You might as well join in next time," I chuckle. "Don't be so shy."
Ren is quiet for a moment before he says, "I'd like to have you alone for our first time."
Fuck, uh… I didn't think he'd say that. I can feel my ears and cheeks start to warm, and my core tightens instinctively.
I'm super not good at this whole flirting thing, but honestly… I wouldn't mind if he and I explored a little…
Ugh! No, it's just my stupid woman hormones or whatever tricking me. I have to stay strong!
Although I decided against pursuing the conversation, I'm not a liar, so I admit the truth to him. "That… that doesn't sound bad," I say quietly, averting my eyes. I don't want him to take it as an invitation, though, so I clear my throat and quickly add, "Want to watch the rest of the show with me? Or are you too pissed at Sylas that you won't be able to sit through it?"
His face remains unreadable, but this inexplicable bond between us still exposes some of his feelings to me. I can feel his inner turmoil at my question.
Despite his conflicting emotions, he answers, "Yeah, I'll come."
I guess part of me was really hoping he'd say yes, so I feel relieved.
I can't help but smile a little, "Great, let's go."
Leading the way, I start walking down the corridor of lamps that leads back to the amphitheater. We walk for around thirty seconds before he begins to talk.
"Your scent…" he trails off.
I stop in my tracks and turn to look at him, worried. Do I stink? Or… oh… is it because I'm...
"You're aroused," Ren states simply. "It might be… problematic."
Uhh… this is so fucking awkward. What am I even supposed to do about this? At a complete loss, I ask, "So… how do I fix it?"
"I can help," he answers resolutely. "If you'll let me, of course."
I narrow my eyes. "Nice try; I'll admit, that was pretty smooth, but I really need to get back to my friends before they think I'm dead."
"How… naughty," Ren quirks a brow at me, genuinely surprised at my insinuation that he was flirting. "I meant I can use my magic to strengthen my mark and mask your scent, but if you really want me to assist you in another way… I most certainly wouldn't complain."
…
…
…
I'm so embarrassed! FUCK!
I never even used to get horny before today, so this is all completely new—not to mention the only flirting I'm accustomed to was the jokes all us guys would make back home.
"I'm, um… yeah, please use your magic," I cough awkwardly.
Ren's lips curl into an amused smile, and a deep chuckle rumbles in his chest. "As you wish."
The large man closes the distance between us. He really is quite tall, almost six or seven inches taller than me, so I have to look up to meet his discerning gaze. His smile hasn't left yet, and before I can even process what's going on, he's getting onto his knees.
My eyes widen, "What—"
"I have to see and touch the mark," he says matter-of-factly.
Oh. Right, that would make sense.
I slip my thumb under the waistband of my trousers and shift it downward, then grip the hem of my tunic and lift it to reveal the entire mark. Looking at it now, it really is quite beautiful. Ren seems to think so, too, judging by the way his pupils dilated slightly.
…He's pretty handsome from this angle. I think I like looking down at him like this—
FUCK! Silence, impure thoughts!
Right as I'm chastising myself, though, I feel warm breath against my bare skin. I gasp a little, surprised, but he doesn't stop. I watch as he moves closer, his lips parted as he blows on my mark. It starts to glow red and violet, and a shiver runs down my spine.
It feels like an eternity, but when he stands up again, my body deflates a little—disappointed by the absence of his interaction.
Ren looks me up and down for a moment with a serious look on his face. "You smell far better now, but…"
I frown. "But?"
"You still reek of that fucking snake," he grumbles.
I roll my eyes, "Yeah, he sucked my face. There's not much I can do about it until I bathe, so you're going to have to deal with it for the rest of the evening."
His nose wrinkles in distaste, but despite his apparent disdain, he just nods gravely. "As you wish."
He repeated that phrase… 'As you wish.'
Hmm.
I think I could get used to that.
Having someone do what I ask for a change is kind of nice, when I'm used to always following orders from my father.
"Let's get back to the others, then, before Roan starts searching the forest for my corpse," I say, nodding for him to follow.
He doesn't respond, but I hear his measured pace a few footsteps behind me—not too far to make it awkward, but not too close that he's invading my space.
Considerate.
I like that.
——
When we arrive back at the amphitheater, the second act is already starting. We're just in time not to miss it, though we missed the intermission's monologue.
Roan and Orien look relieved.
"Thank the gods," Roan sighs dramatically. "I thought maybe Sylas went and killed you in the forest after he took you away so mysteriously and returned by himself."
I snort, "Yeah, right. I could beat his ass in a fight as long as he fought fair."
"He isn't the type to fight fair," Riven scoffs. "I bet he'd sneak poison into you first, then skin you."
…Yeah, he might be onto something.
I sigh, "You're probably right—but whatever! I'm not dead."
Ashen's nose wrinkles a lot like how Ren's did, and he asks, "He didn't kill you, but what did he do to you to make you smell like a snake's den?"
Orien whispers, "I'm delighted you're safe, but we should be quiet to enjoy the show. Sylas won't return until act three."
"Thank the gods," Ashen groans.
"Shh!" Orien shushes him.
The wolf's eyes widen, and he glances at Riven, as if to say, 'Did that little bird just fucking shush me?'
Riven shrugs his shoulders and snickers quietly before leaning back in his seat.
Then, we all sit and watch the rest of the show together without incident… but who's to say what will happen after, given how fucking crazy this day has been.