CONFESSION
ORIE
Raya sits, snack in hand, as Orian lounges lazily across the other couch. I pace back and forth, both sets of eyes following me.
“What’s going on? You’re starting to worry me.” Raya’s concern laces each word, as if her wide-eyed stare didn’t portray it enough.
Orian yawns, adjusting his arms behind his head as his tail sways lazily an inch above the ground. “Still stressing about the artist?”
Raya instantly lights up. “Oh my goodness—you like him, don’t you?”
I stop pacing and look at her, placing my hands on my hips. There must be something showing in my expression because she squeals before I even get a word out.
Both she and Orian watch me closely, though her stare is much more intense. My heart pounds as I build up thecourage to admit what’s happened…and how it wasn’t enough for me.
I need more.
“We kissed,” I blurt, throwing my arms out and releasing the breath I was holding.
Raya clasps her hands in front of her chest. “Oh, Orie, this is so great for you.”
Orian sits up, nodding his agreement. “So, you’vealmosttaken my advice, then.”
“What was your advice?” Raya turns her gaze from me.
Before I can interject, Orian—very proudly—announces, “I told her she should fuck him.”
Raya’s wide eyes dart between the two of us, her lips thinned as she tries to suppress a smile. I know her too well, though. I know that she’s amused by the dynamic my brother and I share.
I shake my head. “I can’t justfuckhim. It’s…more complicated than that.”
“Why?” Orian taps his chin, obviously playing dumb. “Do you feel more than lust for him, perhaps?”
With a roll of my eyes, I admit, “What I’ve felt has never beenjustlust.”
“I can’t believe you told him but not me.” Raya’s eyebrows are furrowed as she stares at me.
Rubbing the back of my neck, I try to shrug it off. “This is—was—different. My demon senses have been going haywire. I needed someone who would…understand.”
She lets out a sad sigh, but nods. “I get it, butplease, tell me the details.”
I take a deep breath. “Well, I took Carson to the cave I sometimes disappear to.”
“For acrystal lesson,” Orian pipes up, throwing air quotes around the words.
“I did tell him about crystals, I’ll have you know,” I snap, crossing my arms in front of me. “But it was a rather short lesson, followed by a not-so-short make-out session.”
“Good kisser?” Raya asks bluntly.
I nod, my cheeks warming. “The best.”
There’s a moment of silence, the two of them just staring at me. I don’t know what else they want me to say. I’m not overly keen to tell mybrotherall the juicy details of my first romantic experience in years, even if I know he won’t judge.
He’s still my brother…though, I know he’s equally as nosy as I am.
“When are you seeing him next?” Raya asks, wriggling her eyebrows.
I shrug. “We didn’t really make a plan.”
