His subsequent wink told me he was teasing me, so I returned the smile, genuinely fighting back a giggle and on this occasion, watched him become unnerved. “Yes, I believe it is.”
Ky’s eyes narrowed as if searching for something in my stare. Then he raked his hands through his hair and said, “I’ll be back for you in the morning.”
Excitement coursed through my veins, and I bowed my head in thanks. “I shall be ready.”
Taking my leave, I bounced up the stairs. As I crossed in front of Flame’s sleeping frame, his eyes flew open and his body went rigid. Seeing it was me, he relaxed, and I quickly entered my room. I had never feared a man like I did Flame. If I were Maddie, I would be unable to sleep with worry of his strange affection for me.
“Lilah!” a voice called from the sofa, and Mae got to her feet, Maddie following behind. “You have returned,” she said with obvious relief.
“Yes. I am back, sisters.”
Mae gazed at me and, hesitantly, enquired, “Are you well? You have been gone a while.”
Moving to the edge of the bed, I sat down and began to remove my headdress, now that I was only in the presence of women. Freeing my long hair from the large pins that kept the blond mass back, I rubbed at my scalp and answered a simple, “Yes.”
Mae frowned and kneeled before me, assessing my expression. “You are sure? Ky did not try anything… untoward?”
Lowering my eyes, I shook my head. “No. He was fine.”
“Where… where did you go?” Maddie asked, her nervous green eyes huge with interest.
For some reason, I found myself wanting to keep the details to myself. And it was at that moment that I realized what today had really meant to me.
“We saw the city. We ate food. It was a rather strange but good day, I think.”
“A good day?” Mae asked in surprise. “You had a good day with Ky?”
Giving Mae a reassuring smile, I nodded my head. “Yes, sister. He was patient and informative, if not a little crude at times.”
“And what now?” she asked in sheer astonishment, Maddie also listening intently, her mouth gaping.
“We shall go out again tomorrow and he will show me more of the outside world.”
Mae slumped back onto her behind and with disbelief, asked, “And you are really okay with this? You really wish to be spend more time in Ky’s company?”
“Yes,” I answered, and on seeing a happy emotion flit across Mae’s face, something Ky said flashed through my mind.
You give Mae shit for having the balls to leave something she knew was fucked up, and you’re fuckin’ killing her by refusing help or acknowledging any of her help.
Bending down and taking Mae’s hand in my own, I noted her eyebrows knit together, confused at my show of affection.
“I have not told you this, sister, but I want you to know that I love you.” I glanced to Maddie also. “And you too, Maddie.” I once again focused on Mae. “Very much. I know I have not made this transition easy. And I understand that you just wanted to save me… save us from a life you believed was wrong.”
Mae’s uniquely colored blue eyes filled with water as I added, “I want you to know that I genuinely appreciate all that you have tried to do for me.”
Mae’s tears flowed thick and strong. She abruptly crushed me into her chest. “Thank you,” she whispered into my hair. “This is so special for me to hear.”
A minute later, she released me and asked again, “Now are you sure you want to go out tomorrow… again… with Ky?”
“Yes, I am sure,” I said, laughing at the way she said Ky’s name.
I was absolutely sure I wanted to go out tomorrow with Ky.
Chapter Eight
Ky
The sun was blazing through the window when I cracked one eye open, and I winced. Fuck, my head was killing me… again.
What the hell happened last night?
Closing my eyes again, I tried to fish out memories through my Jack Daniels-induced fog.