STEVIE
As far as we know, APOA’s search for Professor Phaines hasn’t let up since his initial escape. With no immediate ideas about whereelseto look for our elusive Dark Hierophant, Doc wraps up the meeting on a happier note, giving us a preview of tomorrow night’s Harvest Eve menu. By the time he gets to the desserts, the pain in my chest is all but forgotten, my memories of Phaines fading back into the darkest corners of my mind.
With all the talk of sweets and delectables, it’s not long before we’re all in relatively good spirits, looking forward to the feast tomorrow night. To forgetting our problems, even for a little while.
“Feeling better?” Doc asks, following me to the kitchen to clear away the dishes.
“Talking about French pastries never fails to perk me up.”
“Good.” He smiles, his eyes sparkling. “Mission accomplished, then.”
With that settled, Doc and Ani finally say their goodbyes. Doc needs to get back to Janelle and Casey, and Ani said something about an overdue lab assignment on gem and crystal identification. But Baz and Kirin, still lounging on the couch, make no move to leave.
After what happened in the realm—and now that Baz is on the mend—it seems we’ve all adopted an unspoken agreement to stick together.
“No plans today, boys?” I tease.
“Oh, we’ve got tons of plans,” Baz says. “But Doc wants us to keep you safe, so here we are.”
“Is that all?” I laugh. “You don’t have to make an excuse to stay with me, you know. But if it helps your fragile male egos, I’ll play the damsel-in-distress card today.”
Kirin beams at me. “Aww, you’re the sweetest.”
“I know, right? I settle onto the couch between them again. Kirin puts an arm around me, and I lean back against his chest. Baz takes my feet into his lap.
In that moment, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
We spend the rest of the day together, just hanging out and watching Netflix, eating snacks, ignoring the mountains of virtual assignments our professors are piling on in light of class closures.
At one point Kirin decides to hop in the shower, giving me some alone time with Baz.
He’s not even out of the room yet when Baz pulls me into his lap, assaulting me with hot, devastating kisses.
I lose myself in his touch, letting the power of his mouth chase away all my worries. But no matter how delicious his kisses, they can’t keep the worry at bay for long.
“Baz,” I say, finally pulling back, “we need to talk about what happened. Are you okay? Really?”
His eyes lock on mine, and for a minute I think he might just let loose. Not just about how he’s been feeling the last couple of days, but about what happened in the realm. About his demons.
But then he just brushes the curls away from my face and says, “I’m okay. I really was just tired. I didn’t mean to make you guys worry.”
“I thought I lost you,” I whisper, my throat suddenly tight. I can barely get the words out.
“I’m not that easy to take down, Little Bird. You should probably know that about me.”
I force a smile, but it doesn’t last. Baz may think he’s fooling us—maybe he’s even fooling himself—but I can feel his energy. The truth is, our little trip to the dream realm left a dark stain on all of our hearts. But Baz is carrying the heaviest weight, whether he’s ready to admit it or not.
“That night, in the realm…”
“Thank you,” he says softly—so soft I’m not even sure he said it. But when he touches my face again, gratitude floods his energy, his eyes filling with raw, real emotion.
“Why?” I ask.
“You fought for me when I was damn near ready to give up on myself. And when I lost it in that house, you didn’t turn tail and run. You just… waited. So thank you, Starla Milan. Thank you for just… for being you.”
I wait for him to continue, to explain what happened in the house, to give me even the tiniest glimpse into the past that still haunts him. But it’s clear that’s all he’s willing to say on the matter.
“I’ll always fight for you,” I say. “And no, not just because I signed my name in a book.”
