Page 50 of The Unseen Hour

“How did you get seeds here to grow things like pears? Did Charon procure them for you?”

The frown that was already becoming all too familiar clouded Orion’s face.

“No. I figured it all out myself. Some things I planted already existed in the Ether, but I brought back seeds to grow the others.”

Along with his supplies.

He swept his hand out at the gardening tools. Several were clearly handmade, but there were others that must have come from Emrys.

“You’ve been asking how I supplied myself here. I promised to be honest, but I’ll admit to being a bit ashamed as to how I acquired everything.”

“Ashamed?”

He nodded.

“I stole it all. During the hour, Shades can’t touch and hold things the way people can. That’s why barring the doors keeps them out. But I’m not a typical Shade. A few years in, I figured out that I could grasp things. It took practice. As far as I can tell, it’s driven by intent and desire. I have to really want something, and focus on it, to be able to grasp it. I never told Charon. I was afraid he’d send me into homes. I try to take only what I need, but I will say my definition of need blurred a bit over the years.”

“Like with the books.”

“Yes. Exactly. Not strictly a need for survival, but believe me, it was necessary for my slipping sanity at the time. A way to feel like I was connecting with another person, even if it was only through their words.”

That statement spoke to my heart. He needn’t have justified it to me.

“I’m always watchful during the hour. You’d be surprised what people leave outside while running for shelter.”

My mouth dropped open.

“Do you think less of me?” he asked.

“Not at all. It was incredibly clever, figuring that out. You did what you had to do. I was just wondering how many items people have chalked up to misplacement or thievery over the years that were actually brought to the Ether.”

He ran a hand through his hair, and I stared at the muscles of his forearm when his sleeve slid down his arm.

“I also have taken items from the Shades here, on occasion. That has been rare, and only when I truly did need it. Like the cloak I took to cover you. I just don’t want you to think of me as nothing more than a common thief.”

“Oh, you’re anything but common.”

Extraordinary, even. I was in serious peril of finding myself entranced by yet another Holmes brother.

After breakfast, Orion led us back toward the Meadow.

He’d given me the choice of exploring more of the woods or facing the Shades. I felt I’d been delayed from my search long enough.

It was nice, freeing even, to express my opinion with no restraint. I didn’t worry about whether I would offend Orion. He’d not once reacted to me as if I were too loud, too opinionated, or too much in any way.

He’d let me use his first name, and his home. Not at all what I would have imagined a man from his time to be like.

I would have wagered anything that Orion wouldn’t have assumed I wanted to get married without asking me personally first. Wouldn’t have bartered with my brother for my hand when I was perfectly capable of deciding such things myself.

That particular secret was burning a hole in me.

Not that I’d kept it hidden on purpose. Bellamy was far from my top priority. I also hadn’t chosen him. My stomach soured, anxious thoughts tugging at my mind when I remembered my unwanted fiancé.

Surely, assuming I was deceased would be enough for him to call off an engagement?

I’d hated leaving my family and friends behind, but with Bellamy? Getting away from him would be an unexpected positive outcome of this entire affair.

“Almost there,” Orion said, holding back a tree branch for me.