Free Elixir (Covenant) by Jennifer L. Armentrout Page A

chess, agapi”
    Her shoulders lifted. “I like sitting beside you.”
    And I liked it, too. I moved a pawn forward, not taking hers.
    “I like when you laugh, too.” She placed a finger to her lips, her brows furrowing as she studied the board. “I think I just like you.”
    My mouth opened but nothing came out.
    “Sometimes I feel… I feel like I should be doing more,” she picked up a rook, “than this. With my life.” She placed it back and looked up, searching my face. “With you, too.”
    I knew I needed to say something, but there was too much I wanted to say.
    She scooted closer and rested her head on my shoulder. A heartbeat passed. “I have these memories. They are like dreams. Some are really good and others are dark and red.” She rubbed her cheek against my shoulder. “I know there is more… to all of this.”
    “There is,” I whispered, watching her lashes fan her cheeks, her lips part.
    “I like this. I like when you hold me at night. That feels right… real.” She paused, lashes lifting. “Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome.” My voice sounded, felt heavy.
    Alex raised her head, lips puckered. “I have a feeling you do not say that often.”
    My breath caught. A ball of emotion formed in my chest. “I don’t.”
    “Do you like it?” She gazed at the board, her fingers now hovering over the wrong pieces.
    “Of course I do, agapi” I slid an arm around her shoulders and leaned over, pressing my lips against her temple, then her forehead. Her cheeks rose with her smile and so did my chest, and that ball tightened and tightened. I pressed my face into the mass of wavy hair and inhaled.
    Apollo had said he knew what this kind of love was capable of. And I finally understood why Paris had risked his country and his blood for Helen. Selfish, yes, but I understood. I would burn down the world if that meant Alex would be safe.
    “Knock, knock,” came Deacon’s voice.
    Alex stiffened.
    Pulling away from her, I looked up. He stood in the door, a slight smile on his face. Withdrawing my arm, I stood, surprised to find my legs weak.
    Alex’s eyes bounced from my brother to me and she must’ve read something in my eyes, because she relaxed and went back to the chessboard.
    “What’s up?” I asked.
    He sauntered into the room. “What’s up with you?”
    My lips twitched. “Playing chess with Alex.”
    “Stimulating.” Deacon watched Alex move her chess pieces around the board in no particular order. “Luke’s been in contact with Olivia.
    She’s with her mom and they’ve hooked up with Laadan. They want to come here.”
    “If they are with Laadan, then I trust them. Clear it with Marcus, though.”
    “I like Marcus.” Alex stood and drifted over to me.
    Deacon arched a brow. “Now, that’s odd…”
    “Deacon,” I warned.
    Alex smiled up at me, holding a bishop in her hand. “Checkmate?”
    He chortled. “Good gods, she’s like Rain Man.”
    Anger whipped through me so fast I saw red, and then Alex frowned. “Is this ‘Rain Man’ a good thing?” she asked.
    Taking a step toward my idiot brother, I exploded. “Get the hell out of here before I strangle you within an inch of your life.”
    Eyes wide, Deacon’s hands flew up. “Whoa, I was just kidding. I mean, come on, she’s pretty random now.”
    Rage swept through me. He was my brother. I loved him, but dammit, he never thought before he spoke. Voice low, I said, “Do you even know how insulting that is to Alex?”
    He blinked, his cheeks flushing. “I wasn’t thinking—”
    “No shit.”
    “I didn’t mean anything by it, Aiden. I’m sorry.” His gaze went behind me and he frowned. “I really am.”
    Taking a deep breath, I let the red-hot anger slip off my brittle skin. “I know. It’s just that…” There was no need to finish. Deacon knew. “I didn’t mean to… yell at you. Just let Marcus know about Laadan and Olivia. Okay?”
    Deacon looked like he wanted to say more, but wisely nodded and