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Miri and Davis are sitting in an oversized chair, talking in low tones to each other while Miri combs her fingers through Davis’s hair. Davis looks like a cat napping in the sun, he’s so content. It’s so strange to see him like that. I don’t think I’ve ever met a surlier and grouchier person before. Don’t get me wrong, I love him, he’s one of my oldest friends, but he is not an easy person to get to know. Seeing him like this, all relaxed and… happy, is strange. In some ways, it gives me hope that even with my fucked-up history and all my flaws, there might be someone out there for me. That someone will look at me the way that Davis looks at Miri.
Archer walks past me on his way to the bar, his arm brushing against mine. Accidentally? My skin tingles from the contact, my eyes follow him without my permission. I can’t stop watching the easy flex of his muscles as he mixes up a drink. Everything he does reminds me of the smooth flow of water. He’s graceful, yet built, and so damn sexy. He laughs at something Ruby is saying to Ezra when he returns with his drink, sitting on the arm of the couch.
Ruby and Ezra are still fighting, but I couldn’t care less about who’s winning their argument. Now that I’ve let my eyes latch onto Archer, I can’t tear them away. As if he senses me watching him, his gaze shifts over to me. Just like that, I’m trapped in the intensity of his stare. The smile falls from his face and all levity disappears from his eyes. In its place is a dark burning need, a furious fire of want and loss. I recognize it because those same emotions are choking me, searing deep into my chest. His eyes hold me captive, and I know I’m doing a horrible job of concealing my feelings.
Archer jerks and turns away just as Rhys sidles up beside me.
“What the hell is that look about?”
I don’t look at my brother. I can’t. If I do, my face will explode into flames. I already feel heat creeping up my neck. Taking a long sip of my drink, I pray it cools down some of the embarrassment of being caught drooling over Archer.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I finally manage to mumble out.
Rhys steps in front of me, completely blocking my view of Archer, and lifts a brow. “He was looking at you like you are the first meal he’s seen in months.”
“He just needs a snack,” I deadpan, giving Rhys a look that lets him know he’s a pain in the ass. “Just drop it. You’ve been a major bitch about Archer ever since the night I healed Miri. You need to get over it.”
“I don’t need to get over a damn thing, Lena. You’re my sister and I will always protect you.” Rhys crosses his arms, his chest puffing up as he tries to take up as much space as possible. I swear his shoulders look bigger. Is he trying to protect me, or block me from seeing the room?
“What is it you think you’re saving me from?” I’m beyond frustrated with their feud and the macho man chest beating. I get that it’s his default setting. He’s spent most of his life looking out for me and trying to keep me away from our dad, but I looked out for him, too. We took care of each other. As best we could. What I don’t need is for Rhys to be my guard dog against Archer.
“Maybe I’m protecting you from yourself.”
My irritation doesn’t just ignite into full-blown anger, it explodes. I’m this close to shoving him in the chest and screaming in his face. I know it’s irrational, but I’ve been teetering on the edge for days. His overbearing behavior is the last straw. My fury must focus my magic, because everyone in the room is suddenly wrapped in a halo of color. Their auras glow brightly and momentarily distract me. Rhys is surrounded by red, his worry and annoyance on visible display in front of me.
Hissing out a breath, I level him with my best death glare and walk away. I move out into the hallway, needing a moment to myself. Everything is a mess right now. Rhys is set on being a giant pain in my ass. My magic getting stronger is like growing a new appendage, and Archer and I… hell, I don’t even know how to categorize what’s going on with us. Everything is a throbbing headache that I don’t want to deal with.
I scrub my hand over my face and try not to stomp as I pass through the main hall and into the kitchen. From there, I take the two steps down into the conservatory. Miri has done incredible things with the space in the short amount of time she’s been on the island. Half of the herbs and plants in here had been dead, and the rest overgrown. Nature had taken over in the absence of anyone tending to all of it. Now it’s thriving, plants growing with such vitality that it puts my one cactus at home to shame.
The windows are fogged with condensation. It’s humid in here, much warmer than the rest of the house. The smell of damp earth and growing, living things permeates the air. It’s not my favorite smell, but there’s something comforting and reassuring about this room. This is one of Miri’s favorite spaces, and I wonder if that emotion clings to the conservatory, as if she’s imprinted her happiness here.
I trail my fingertips across to the top of some lavender, inhaling the subtle scent. A smile lifts my lips, unbidden, when the soft scuff of a shoe on tile alerts me to someone’s presence. I turn around and find Archer staring down at me from the top of the steps. He’s leaning against the frame of the open French doors, his arms crossed, and a contemplative look on his face. His golden hair is unruly tonight, not swept back and tidy like it usually is, and I wonder if his emotions are as turbulent as mine.
“Remember in seventh grade, when we had to plant a school garden?”
My lip twitches because I know exactly what he’s talking about. I shake my head, but Archer doesn't stop, a grin taking its rightful place on his face.
“Jeremy Adams threw a worm at you. You screamed so loud.”
“It went down my shirt.” I can’t help but huff, crossing my arms over my chest and nearly stomping my foot. My heart lights up in my chest, because this feels so natural. So much like us.
“And then a bird shit on his head.” Archer looks up at the ceiling as if he’s reliving the moment.
“It was karma.” I shrug and then our laughter echoes around the glass room.
“He had a crush on you, too.”
My mouth drops open. “What? Not this again. No, he didn’t.”
Archer takes one step down, nodding his head. “He did. You never noticed all these guys who were practically drooling over you.”
“That’s a lie. Why are you saying this?” I squeeze my arms tighter together, uncertainty making me take a step back.
“It’s the truth.” Sincerity rings in his words and his eyes hold only honesty.
We stare at each other for longer than comfortable. I gnaw on my lip, hating the discomfort between the two of us. Hating that things imploded so soon after they started. It makes my stomach fold in on itself.
Did they ever really start, though? What were we doing? Messing around behind our friends' backs? I know I was the one who said we could keep things casual, but it was such a lie. I’ve been keeping my heart wrapped up in tight and set aside for the day Archer finally figured out I was right in front of him. What if he took a look at what I had to offer and realized it wasn’t worth the mess?
