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“I’m not afraid of doing it,” Max stresses. “And if you want me to do it, just say so.”
East shakes his head. “I’ve got this. I was just pointing out that clearly I’m less chicken shit than the rest of you.” His lips quirk. “Something you should all remember from now on.”
Max lets out a quiet sigh then looks at me. “I’m sorry, Sky. I really am.”
My brows dip. “For what?”
He simply offers me an apologetic look then exits the room the same way his brothers did.
Speaking of his brothers…
“So where’s Holden and Hunter?” I ask East. Mostly I’m wondering where Hunter is, since he’s the one who can fix the altered link.
“They’re both here in this world. They’re just working on a few things,” he replies vaguely then tugs me with him as he strolls toward a branchy wall woven with vines. “Let’s take a walk.”
“Into a wall?” I joke as he heads straight for the wall.
Amusement glitters in his silver eyes. “Oh, lightning eyes, how you disappoint me.” He raises his hand to the wall and the branches spread apart, revealing an exit to the outside. Then he flashes me a cocky smirk. “You should know by now that nothing is what it seems.”
“Sorry I don’t understand the concept of faerie tree houses,” I quip. “To be fair, though, human science classes don’t cover the magical movability of trees.”
Chuckling, he ducks out of the doorway and hops out onto a thick tree branch covered with green moss, blooming violet flowers, and crisp autumn leaves. Halfway across the branch, ice glazes across the bark. The contrast of seasons is a startling sight to behold and I can’t figure out how they can all coexist in the same area.
“It’s called magic,” East says as if he can read my thoughts. He wiggles his hand from mine, spins around, and reaches toward me, placing his hands onto my waist. “The seasons coexist in this world, mostly because faeries get their power from the seasons.” With a grin, he picks me up and sets me down onto the branch beside him, startling me so badly my fingernails dig into his shoulders.
“I could’ve gotten out here by myself.” I pry my fingernails out of his flesh. It has to hurt yet he doesn’t show any signs of being in pain.
“Yeah, but that way was much more fun.” He winks at me then whirls and starts across the branch.
I peer down below me at the long drop to the ground. I’ve never been a fan of heights, but I don’t want to appear weak either, so sucking in a breath, I put one foot in front of the other and follow him.
My legs are shaky at best, and I nearly fall a couple of times.
“Where are we going exactly?” I grab onto some vines above me to keep my balance.
“I already told you—for a walk.” He turns around and eyeballs me over. “You’re not afraid of heights, are you?” He taunts with a smirk.
“No,” I lie, gripping onto the vines tighter as the wind picks up and makes the branch I’m standing on sway.
“You’re not, huh?” The wicked glint in his eyes makes me tense.
“Whatever you’re about to do, don’t,” I warn. “Or I swear, I’ll—”
“You’ll what?” he questions with amusement. “Clutch onto that vine tighter?”
I narrow my eyes at him. “I’ll kick your pretty boy, raindrop ass.”
He grins. “How many times have I told you not to tease me with that sort of stuff?”
A comeback bites at my tongue. “One day I’m going to—” I screech as the branch jolts and sends me flying forward.
I close my eyes and brace myself for the fall, wondering if it’ll kill me or if I’ll just break a few bones. But instead of hitting the ground, I slam straight into Easton.
He lets out a grunt as my body collides with his. Then his arms enclose around my waist. I clutch onto the bottom of his shirt, my heart slamming against my chest.
“Relax.” He smoothes his hand up and down my back. “I’ve got you.”
I let out a shaky exhale then slant back to meet his gaze, which is filled with amusement.
