“We’ll be right back,” I promise, then slide the door closed behind us.
Connor watches me carefully, clearly trying to read my emotions as I lead them to the far side of the balcony away from prying eyes and ears. Donovan sizes up Connor, which makes me wonder if he already knows what I plan to talk about.
“First things first. No punching,” I insist, spinning around to face the two of them, my arms crossed tightly over my chest to keep from shivering. It may have stopped raining, but I’m still wet and it’s still cold. “Also, I promise not to break anything if you guys promise not to break anything.”
“Like my spine,” Donovan murmurs, a smirk playing across his lips.
“Yes,” I reply, jutting out my chin. “Just like your spine.”
Connor silently takes in our exchange while unbuttoning his flannel to drape over my shoulders.
With a critical eye, Donovan watches me burrow into the warm fabric and comments, “You know, you could just magick yourself dry.”
“Or I could accidentally vaporize my clothes out of existence because they can’t be wet if they don’t exist,” I grumble, pushing my arms through the flannel’s sleeves, then leaning to the side to twist some of the water out of my hair.
“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” he says, chuckling, tucking his thumbs into his pockets, which drags his jeans lower on his hips.
Connor growls and crowds my side like the possessive Alpha he is. Donovan looks startled, because, though Connor has upped his growling game, a flirty comment like that usually only earns a long Connor stare.
This is a terrible idea,the voice in my head screams, but damn it, I’m tired of playing who knows what. This might not be the big share with everyone, but Connor and Donovan have been straight with me and deserve to know everything. As much as I understand it, anyway.
“No growling,” I warn, elbowing Connor in the stomach, which mostly just hurts my elbow. While gathering my thoughts, I notice Felix’s head not so subtly poking out of the wall and bellow, “I see you, Casper. You have time to eavesdrop, you have time to help us keep you from poofing out of existence.”
“Aw, but it’s fun to watch them get in trouble,” he calls back with a cheeky grin. “You’re one of the few people they’re scared of.”
“That should tell you something. Remember, I’m a spirit witch, and guess what you are?” I fire back, crossing my arms, and give him a look.
“Fine,” he replies with an over the top sigh. “But don’t do any cool magic things where you throw them across the balcony or anything. I’d hate to miss that.”
“Too late,” Donovan mutters, subconsciously rubbing at his lower back.
I do shooing motions, and after another disappointed sigh, he disappears back inside.
Amusement filters from Connor into me along with a pleased satisfaction over the news that I magicked Donovan some substantial distance. I’m hoping it’s because he likes hearing how capable I am at defending myself, otherwise, this conversation is going to be more than just awkward.
I pull my hair over my shoulder, nervously twisting it, which drips more rainwater onto Connor’s flannel, and blurt, “Look, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but my life has gotten complicated and messy recently, and I need to clear some air. I’m probably gonna say some things you don’t like, but suck it up, because… because I need this. Okay?”
“Yes,Reina,” Connor murmurs, taking a small step back with his head bowed. I can feel his amusement turn to unease, and honestly, I have no idea if what I’m about to say will help or hurt him more.
“Let’s hear it,” Donovan encourages casually, leaning his weight to one side, but the chip on his shoulder is on display, ready for bad news.
Things don’t always work out just because people love each other. Well, let’s hope this is one of the times where there’s a happy ending.
“Right. Um, I didn’t really practice what to say, so I’m just going to say it, and then we’ll deal with it,” I blurt out, swallowing heavily and acknowledging that the little voice in my head might have been right.
“Great,” Donovan comments with a tight smile, while Connor rubs the back of my neck, sensing my own unease.
I hold my hand out to Donovan, reaching for him before he disappears into his hard shell of apathy, and he takes it, seeming to grow in confidence as our fingers link together. Before Connor can pull away, I grab his wrist. He searches my eyes, that fragile hope unfurling inside him, as he takes my other hand.
“So… here it is,” I whisper, my insides vibrating with nerves as my gaze bounces between them. “I… wow, this is really hard to say.”
Donovan shakes his head and squeezes my hand. Looking Connor in the eye, he states plainly, “You kissed her. I kissed her. The two alive idiots in there kissed her too.”
“Or it’s not hard at all,” I mutter, wincing as I wait for the fallout.
What surprises me is the lack of surprise coming from Connor. He nods his head and takes slow, controlled breaths. No matter how hard he tries to hide it, I sense the jealousy thrumming through his bones.
Noticing my confusion, Connor looks down at me with his bruised heart in his eyes. In a low voice, he confesses, “I sensed times when you… desired the others.”
