Unseen Scene— Between Book 3 and 4 (Felix) (Patreon)

Moonlight floods the overgrown path up towards the decaying façade of the Warehouse, as though knowing how weary I am and wanting to help guide me home.

Though it’s not this place that draws me here—it’s who I know is inside.

Stabbing my fingers against the keypad, the door clicks and swings open, revealing the lamplit foyer within. A waft of freesias and roses coats me as I step inside the circular area, a fresh bunch of flowers on the centre table looking cheery even in the gloom.

Footsteps rush down one of the hallways, but my body is too exhausted to even tense in concern. Though there’s no need to be on guard.

Felix emerges from one of the hallways, striding casually across the foyer before giving me a faux doubletake.

“Babe, you’re finally home,” he exclaims while moving towards me with a grin that turns the night’s darkness to sunshine.

“I am.” I place down my things on the sideboard. “How long have you been circling the foyer waiting for me?” I tease.

“Oh,” he says as he slides in close, wrapping his arms around me and kissing my cheek. “At least an hour and a half.”

Returning the embrace, I chuckle and ease out a tired sigh. “Well, you were the exact person I was hoping to see when I got back. Thank you for waiting up.”

He shrugs. “I can’t sleep without you around. You know that.”

I brush my fingers down his cheek. “With all the training I’ve been doing, I’m guessing that means you haven’t been getting much sleep at all then.”

He encourages me in closer to press our bodies together. “Luckily, your boyfriend is a vampire who doesn’t need much sleep.”

I bump the tip of my nose against his. “That doesn’t stop me from worrying about you.”

His bright smile returns, his eyes glimmering. “I love it when you say that.”

My brows jump up. “That I worry about you?”

“Yeah. That.” He leans in part way, and I close the gap, eagerly capturing the offered kiss.

Yes. This is home. This is exactly where I belong.

The thought, as well as his kiss, warms me through. The aches and pain of weeks of arduous training are dulled, the strength of what I feel for Felix replacing it with a shimmer of light and happiness that only he can offer me.

When I draw away, I can’t help but smile.

“How was your training today?” Felix asks, keeping one arm around me as we begin to walk upstairs.

I expel a groan. “Gruelling.”

“You are allowed to ask them to take it down a notch, you know,” he replies, concern creasing his brows together. “You don’t have to just take what they deal out.”

“I know, but…” I look down at my hands, clenching them into fists before opening them again. “It’s really making a difference. And the lessons I’ve been learning have helped prepare me.” I sigh and lean into him. “It’s hard, yeah. But it’s worth it. And the quicker I get through it, the better.”

His lips purse. “I’m not sure that’s how it’s supposed to go.”

“I’ll be fine,” I state as we reach the top of the stairs.

He assesses me with an intent gaze that sends butterflies fluttering through me. “Doesn’t stop me worrying about you.”

I smile, grasping his shirt collar to draw him in closer. “I love it when you say that.” My lips find his again in another kiss that drives the last dregs of aching pain from my limbs. His hands dip beneath my shirt and wander up the arch of my back, relaxing every tense knot of tension that he touches.

“I know…you’re…just trying to…distract me…from worrying about you…” he mumbles through our kiss.

I suck at his lower lip, encouraging a groaned breath from him. “Is it working?”

His hand spreads across my lower back as his kisses move from my mouth to my shoulder. “It’s so working.”

My laugh turns to a gasp as his hands work—very effectively—at soothing every ache from me.