Page 31 of An Anomaly of Sunlight

Sounds like the start of a cheesy Howlmark movie except it’s my real life. Shit, now I’m wondering if all those movies are based on true stories. Oh, Creators. Skyler is still staring at me with an amused look on his face.

“Penny for your thoughts?” He inquires. Shaking my head, I throw out a hand, waving it back and forth. “Oh no, your penny would be far better spent elsewhere.” Humor drips off my voice, but I’m quite serious. “I’m not sure these deranged thoughts are even worth a penny.”

“Hah!” Skyler exclaims, placing a hand over his heart. “That is where you’re wrong, Sunlight. I’d pay far more than a penny to know what goes on in that gorgeous mind of yours.”

His words settle in my bones, wrapping softly around my heart. “Tell me yours, I’ll tell you mine,” I quip, blowing Skyler a kiss. His expression changes from playful to... hungry in the blink of an eye. His gaze settles on my lips, and suddenly I’m burning up. Squirming under the attention mixed with the desire to crash my lips into his.

“Let’s get out of the hellhole, shall we, Sunlight? I’m quite tired of sharing you with Burrow’s.” Placing a hand on my lower back, he guides me to the door of his office, slinging his jacket over his shoulder with the other.

Taking the last step down from the office, Wren stares daggers through me just like she did when I first came into the store. Previously, I’d not the slightest fucking clue what I’d done to make her dislike me. But as her eyes flit up to Skyler, then roll as they see the hand still splayed across my back, the pieces fall together.

She called Maeve. Suddenly, I’m glaring back at her with my own ire. I wonder if Skyler knows? “Wren,” his voice breaks the tension hanging between Wren and I, “Maeve has requested I go to Vrynthis for the night. Onyx is back early so there’s plenty of coverage here. But I am going to try to call in an extra person anyway just to help you out.”

“Whatever,” she huffs, “we’ll be fine. Have fun...” She rakes her gaze over me, “Working,” she adds in air quotes. I scoff, her words hitting the mark. I know exactly what she's implying.

“Watch it.” Skyler growls. “My tolerance for you is dangerously close to its end.”

With a huff, she turns toward the register, throwing her long, mahogany braid over her shoulder and scanning a pack of vials with a little too much force. Without another word, Skyler guides me around the counter and out the door.

Mom isn’t home. A part of me is thankful but mostly I’m disappointed. We rarely have disagreements, especially not to this nature. Now I’ll be leaving town without getting to clear the air.

Sighing, I slide the key to her spare car into one of her plant pots. I’ll send her a text later to let her know that I’m alright.

Skyler is leaning against the hood of his car; arms crossed over his chest. The soft curve of his mouth, and the longing in his eyes make me feel like I’m floating as I descend the porch steps. He meets me at the passenger side, pulling the door open.

My cheeks flush, “You really don’t have to, you know.” I murmur, slipping into the seat. He takes my hand in his and raises it to his lips. Pressing a light kiss to the top he searches my eyes. “Amethyst.” A plead. “Let me take care of you.”

Words fail me. With a small nod, I manage an, “Okay.” His smile warms my heart. Gently closing the door, then falling in the seat beside me, he reaches a hand over and rests it on my thigh. “Let’s get you a bag and get this show on the road.”

“Let’s do it!” I agree. “Wait, what about you? Don’t you need a bag?” He glances at me, turning his head over his shoulder as he backs out of the driveway. “Unfortunately, I’m used to traveling. I always keep a bag in the trunk.”

My laughter echoes around us as we pull into my driveway. “It’s always fucking Vrynthis, too. They go through a worker a day there, I swear.” Cracking his door open, he adds, “I must say, I’m curious what Maeve did to piss off the entire staff at once, though.”

Again, he opens the door for me. A blush warms my cheeks as I take his hand. I want this to last a lifetime. Just he and I and these soft moments. I head toward my front door, but he isn’t following. “Please, come inside.” I motion to the house. With a twinkle in his eyes, Skyler accompanies me.

“Beautiful home.” He praises as I throw clothes into a duffle bag. “Thank you! I designed it myself.” The necklace from my dad lays on the dresser and I decide to wear it. Before I clasp it, I stop, noticing Skyler’s raised brow in the mirror.

“You’d be surprised how much money you can make playing a part on the internet.” I shrug, but the words sting. It didn’t start out that way. I never wanted to become someone I wasn’t. The bedroom walls suddenly feel suffocating.

None of this was worth it.

A warm hand on my shoulder halts my thoughts. “Don’t drift away. Stay here in this moment with me.” Skyler’s voice wraps around me as he pulls my hair back, draping it over my left shoulder. He takes the necklace, fastens it, and fixes my hair.

My eyes never leave his in the mirror. All my focus goes toward breathing. Maybe it was all worth it. Maybe everything had to happen exactly as it did to allow me to end up in this moment with Skyler. When he’s this close to me, touching me, I...

I need him.

Turning over my shoulder, I tilt my head up as his comes down to meet me. But just as our lips brush, on a pained breath he rasps, “Amethyst, there’s something I have to tell you.”

Twenty

Amethyst

The thrumming of the tires against the pavement is the only sound for several long moments. I’d suggested we talk in the car to be able to make it to Vrynthis on time. Amethyst, you are not human. Skyler’s statement rings in my ears. Finally, I break the silence.

“You knew?”

Of course he did, you fool. “You know?” Skyler asks, shock evident in his tone.