by A. D. Winter
“It has been quite an adventure with you, Ivy Cross,” Dryden admitted, leveling his gaze at me. “And as much as you intrigue me, I have one rule.”
“And what’s that?” I asked.
“That I can only be with someone I trust.”
The weight of his words struck me in the chest, and I suddenly felt the need to lock myself in a room for a week, where I would only don dirty t-shirts, and eat nothing but gallons of fairy cream until I died of a heart attack. But I kept my dignity, at least, as much as I could salvage.
“I completely understand,” I said, cringing inwardly.
“Good.” He seemed resigned to his decision.
“Good,” I echoed, doing my best to sound just as convinced. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t still be associates.”
He thought about it for a moment, then nodded. “I think that’s acceptable.”
I didn’t know where that left us, but he probably still hated me. Who could blame him? I’d lied to him and led him on a dangerous journey that had nearly gotten him killed. Come to think about it, that was pretty much how all my dates went. It didn’t matter though. He’d proved he had secrets of his own, probably many, and his desire for me was just that—desire.
The only thing left to do now was to see this journey through to the end.
“Then it’s decided,” Crag said, setting his tea to the side and rising from the carriage.
Standing in a circle, we studied each other for a moment, all of us holding back our amusement. Even Sophie began to blush.
It was funny, I’d never wanted a partner, and yet here I was, standing with a team of people I didn’t even know but whose hands I was willing to put my life in.
Still, as warm as I felt, I couldn’t forget what Greta had told me. Was what she had said true? Did I really have parents? I shivered as I felt a wind from the east, and I feigned a smile as I rubbed my shoulders.
The darkness was still out there, I knew, yet this time we would face it together.
A quick word from A.D. Winter
You finished!
Great job, and thank you so much for hanging out with Ivy and the gang. They’re a crazy group and a joy to be around. I hope you enjoyed reading this book as much as I did writing it.
Ivy’s next adventure will be out in a couple of months, but if you want to read how Ivy became an inquisitor, sign up for my newsletter here. You’ll get the novella for free and be notified of any updates on the next book.
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Till next time!
A. D. Winter
