I have never needed anyone else. Before now. And now the idea of my existence without Rami in it is unbearable. No matter what, I must have him at my side.
Chapter 34
Rami's POV
Iremain at Adriel’s side until his eyes close, and he fades from view. A sharp pang in my chest always happens whenever I watch him vanish like he does. Knowing he’ll come back stronger tomorrow is the only thing keeping me from losing my shit.
Slipping my phone out, I quickly throw a text out to Grandma Julia to let her know I’ll be out longer than planned and that I would explain once I got home. My thumb hesitates over the send button, old insecurities threatening to topple my house of cards. We promised each other we’d do better, and I need to stick with that.
Returning my phone to my back pocket after I suck it up and manage to send the message, I continue cleaning up Adriel’s garden until I can barely keep my eyes open. I glance around atmy handiwork. I managed to get most of the way through today. But a nap is necessary.
Well, that and a shower. Not in that order.
I’ll set an alarm to make sure I’m back before Adriel awakens. Should get me a bit more time to finish up.
I don’t even realize I make it home until Grandma Julia’s shocked inhale snaps me out of the fog I was in the whole trek.
“Rami, are you okay?”
I glance down at myself, covered in sweat and dirt. “I’m sorry, Grandma. I was gardening and should have shaken myself off better.”
“No, no, no.” She approaches me slowly, her hands out as if she doesn’t really know what to do. “Well, yes. Cleaning yourself before coming inside would be appreciated, but dirt can be cleaned. Why don’t you go shower up and I’ll make you some food before you nap.”
I nod and shuffle my feet through the house, doing exactly as asked before eventually plopping down onto the bed. I don’t even bother crawling under the covers. But when my alarm goes off and I wake up, there’s a blanket draped over me. Warmth fills my chest knowing Grandma Julia is looking out for me, exactly as she promised.
Speaking of grandmothers, she’s setting out dinner for the two of us as I emerge from the back rooms.
“How’d you sleep?” she asks, carrying the plates to the table as I slide into my chair.
“Good.”
She blesses our food, and we dig in with companionable silence. I know she’s dying to know why I stayed out so long and why I was in such a state when I returned, but she’s not pushing it.
“His name is Adriel. The hurricane destroyed his home, which weakened him. So, I had to clean everything up so he could even function.”
“You said he’s cursed. How so?”
I shrug as I shovel another bite in my mouth. “Apparently the curse prevents him from saying anything about it. What I’ve figured out is he only emerges at night, he’s trapped in a small territory in the woods, he can’t stand to be touched, and somehow his Agastache garden is linked to his strength.”
“Agastache?”
I nod.
“What a lovely flower. It’s closed now, but I can run into town tomorrow to pick up more plants if that’ll help. Not sure how you’ll get them out to the woods.”
“You’d really do that for me?”
“Of course, dear. This Adriel sounds like he’s your person. I promised you I’d be supportive. If he needs the flower to be strong, I’ll buy him all the flowers he needs.”
“Thank you.” I blink back the swell of tears.
“I assume you’re returning to him tonight?”
“If that’s okay. I didn’t quite finish cleaning everything up this morning, so I need to return and help him.” She nods, and we both eat a few bites. “Can I borrow a few yard tools?”
“Yes, just remember to please be careful.”
After dinner, she packs me another bag of snacks while I rummage through the shed to grab the loppers and an axe. They should make the cleanup go quite a bit faster. I hope, anyway. With a farewell hug, I thank her again as I return to Adriel. And immediately get to work when I arrive.
