Page 57 of Fallacies

Callan’s entire demeanor shifts, his fight with Selene forgotten. My friends take the distraction, Gemma tugging Selene along with Kimber, quick to follow. I’d bet my favorite pair of boots they’re off to find a hiding spot at the Yard.

If Callan knows what they’re up to, he doesn’t let on, and he doesn’t seem to care.

At least not enough to take his eyes off me.

13

Callan

I’ve seen stars fall and comets pass. I’ve seen the reflection of a hot sun off the lake in the summer. I’ve seen flowers bloom, and I’ve seen rain blow across the rolling hills like shadows or smoke.

But I’ve never seen anything as beautiful as Lucina Van Reenan.

Every version of her. Angry, sad, scared, brave…she does it all so stunningly. I’ll never understand it.

“Alright,” she starts, breaking my stare to look around my coven—our coven. Lucina holds her hand out expectantly. “Someone cough up a Mender pill.”

When no one moves or speaks, she folds her arms over the beaded bodice of her dress and juts her hip out. “I’ll wait.”

Clearing my throat, I cross the space between us. “We can’t be late, and you won’t need it.”

“I don’t believe you.”

I ignore the insult and hold a hand out to her, rosemary and vanilla crashing into me like a rush of something intoxicating. When she places a tentative hand in my own, it takes all I have not to pull her over my shoulder and take her right back inside. I’d thoroughly enjoy ripping each of those beads off with my⁠—

Lucina swats at my arm. “Stop looking at me like that.”

“Believe it or not, I’m trying.” Just not very hard.

Lucina takes my hand, letting me help her to the bottom of the stairs, then she slides her arm through my own. She grips my sleeve, avoiding eye contact as we cross the grass and start on the path to the Yard.

I can tell she’s nervous, gaze bouncing from Easton and Nix, who walk ahead, to Hunter, Pax, and Devon who trail behind. It’s completely understandable—her unease—but I hate seeing it on her face. I hate sensing it in her body language.

We’re halfway to the Yard when I decide I’ve had enough of her silent panic. I could tell her not to worry, but she wouldn’t listen. Seeing as I can’t disclose anything about what she’s about to experience, the least I can do is try to take her mind off it.

“You know…” I start, and Lucina flinches as I break the silence. “That dress might have been made for you.”

Her gaze remains fixed on the path ahead.

Pulling her closer to my side, I lean down to whisper, “Will you let me take it off later?”

Lucina’s eyes dart up to mine, stunning and gold-flecked, the apples of her cheeks turning a beautiful shade of pink. “I know what you’re doing,” she whispers back.

“Do you?” My gaze falls to her lips. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.” Lucina reverts her attention to the path ahead. “You’re trying to distract me, and I need to be on high alert not…” she searches for the right word, cheeks reddening further, “...pliant and flushed.”

My mouth splits into a wide grin. “Pliant and flushed?”

Lucina scowls at the tease in my tone and tugs against my hold. “I’m going to walk with Pax⁠—"

“Don’t you dare take your hand off my arm.”

She has the nerve to laugh. It’s bitter and disbelieving. “What are you going to do?” she implores, “Drag me back by my hair?”

“Yes.” I keep my voice low. “I’ll take you all the way back to the cabin, rip through the stitching on that dress, tie the torn fabric around your eyes, and make you guess where I’m going to touch you next.”

Lucina trips over the toe of her boot, recovering in an instant, but now she’s thoroughly flushed, and judging by the scowl on her face, she’s not happy about it.