Rising Covenant (Living Covenant Trilogy Book 1) by Amanda M. Lee Page B

trying to do the right thing when she came here.”
    “I know,” Aric said, the muscle in his jaw ticking. “I need more time. I’m working hard on it, Zoe. I felt how afraid you were last night, though. It almost knocked me over. I’m not ready to let it go yet.”
    “He shouldn’t have to let it go,” Paris said. “This is your home and I … brought danger into your lives.”
    “I once got you kidnapped and tortured by crazy werewolves who wanted to feed you to a feral vampire,” I reminded her. “You didn’t hold a grudge against me for that.”
    “Yes, I did,” Paris argued.
    I furrowed my brow and released Aric’s chin. He turned his head so he could rest his forehead against my temple and still watch Paris.
    “I … you weren’t angry with me,” I said. “I remember. I kept thinking you were going to scream and yell – I really expected it – but you never did.”
    “That doesn’t mean I wasn’t angry,” Paris said. “I was incredibly angry. I knew it was irrational, though, so I hid it. After a few days the anger went away. I really didn’t blame you after that. I knew what happened was an accident.
    “You have to look at this from Aric’s point of view,” she continued. “He’s worked his tail off to keep you safe for five years. Oh, that’s kind of funny because he actually does have a tail when he shifts. That didn’t occur to me until just now.”
    Aric growled, the sound low and menacing.
    “Oh, right,” Paris said, returning to the topic at hand. “I was really upset with you, Zoe. I got over it. It took me a few days, though. I know you didn’t realize I was angry, but when you think back to that time, what do you remember?”
    That was a good question. “I … .” Huh. I didn’t remember much else besides hunkering down in Aric’s apartment for three days. We barely came up for air.
    “Yeah, I remember that, too,” Aric said, kissing my cheek.
    “I was a horrible friend,” I said, realization washing over me. “You almost died, and after we got you out I walked away for three days. I had no idea what you were feeling because I was too busy … .”
    “Feeling me,” Aric finished, gracing Paris with the first real smile he’d managed to muster since she showed up in our driveway.
    “That was probably for the best,” Paris said. “If you had been around those days we probably would’ve had a big fight. As it was, by the time you two were done playing … whatever freaky games you like to play … I was done being furious.
    “You can’t ask Aric to get over something this big in less than a day,” she continued. “I think it’s unfair. You’re setting unrealistic expectations.”
    Was I? So what? After Paris’ admission, I felt guilty. No one wants that. “You have to forgive Paris,” I said, grabbing the front of Aric’s T-shirt so he couldn’t pull away. “You have to.”
    “Zoe … .” The tone of Aric’s voice told me I’d already won.
    “I’ll do your second favorite thing while I’m doing your first favorite thing when we’re alone tonight if you do,” I promised.
    Aric’s eyes lit up.
    “I am officially grossed out,” Paris muttered.
    “You’ve got a deal,” Aric said, kissing the corner of my mouth before turning to Paris. “I’m going to forgive you. I don’t want you thinking that I’m doing it just for Zoe, though. I was going to do it this afternoon.
    “I thought about it while I was shopping and I realized how frightened you must have been when you got here,” he continued. “What you did was wrong. I believe you know that, though. None of us can make any claims to perfection. We’ve all done stupid things. We’ve all managed to come back from them. I think you will, too.
    “I reserve the right to revoke my forgiveness should you do anything that gets Zoe hurt, though,” he said. “I love her enough to do anything to protect her – and that includes sacrificing you.”
    Paris swallowed hard, nodding as she