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RHYS
It took a few weeks to get my bar back up and running. The biggest concern was the damage done to the wiring in the building, but we got the all clear after a few days. After that, we worked on fixing the damage to both the interior and exterior of the building. I’m fucking grateful there wasn’t an issue with the building’s structure and that my apartment escaped unharmed. I stayed at Davis’s cabin while I waited to hear about the electric issues. While I appreciated having a place to crash, I was relieved to be back at my place after a few days.
Most of all, I missed having Zara in my bed on those nights.
“Are you sure having a grand reopening slash prom night is a good idea?” Miri asks as she creates some weird party favors for prom. It looks like it has a lot of confetti shit inside it. Why would anyone want that?
The bar is already back open, but I’m still a businessman. Which is why I decided to spin the fire and make something positive out of it. Hence the grand reopening the night before prom.
It’s the middle of the week and the bar isn’t busy tonight, so Lena has taken the back section over as her party planning station for prom. She, Miri, and Zara are plotting out decorations, party favors, catering, and all the other details. Ruby told them she’d rather eat glass than plan prom.
“Also, are we sure doing this on Mabon is a good idea? We really do seem to have cursed all these damn festivals and events.”
“Don’t be blaming our festivals. It’s not the fault of the activities committee that the Fae are trying to manipulate us into tearing down the veil.” Lena points a pair of scissors at Miri before she gets a chance to speak. “Fine. Not all of the activities committee, since we have an evil wanna be boy band member, pretty boy Fae who’s a huge shithead on the committee. But don’t blame any of that on the rest of us.”
Miri uses a finger to redirect the scissors. “Never said it was the party committee’s fault. Wasn’t even thinking that.” Miri gives me a wide-eyed look. I should probably take those sharp scissors away from Lena.
“Are you feeling a little stressed, Magdalena?”
“Don’t start with me, Rhys.”
There are dark circles around Lena’s eyes. I doubt she’s been getting much sleep. Any free moment she’s had has been spent researching and digging through her collection of old books. She’s been on a mission to find anything she can about how to sever Anthony’s bond with them. Understandably.
I watch as she opens her mouth and then closes it. Twice. Her eyes dart between me and Zara at least a half dozen times. I groan and take a seat on the bench across from her. She obviously wants to say something but can’t spit it out.
Currently, Sal’s the only patron at the bar, and he’s at the other end, nursing a beer and watching a baseball game. I would have closed for the night already if the game hadn’t gone into extra innings.
“Why are you looking at me and Zara like you have secrets to spill.”
Zara looks at me, her brow creased in worry. Lena dashes a look at her and then stares at me.
“I know you never wanted any part of magic.”
“Before recently, yeah, I guess that’s true.”
Lena nods as if agreeing that I’ve correctly identified my own feelings.
Honestly. Sisters.
“I think I found a way to break Anthony’s tie to our bonds.”
That gets Miri’s attention, and she perks up. Dropping her bag of glitter or whatever the fuck it is, she slides closer to Lena.
“What did you find out?”
“I believe that if Archer and I, along with Davis and Miri, take part in the bonding of another pair in the Axis, it could break that hold. Since we are all a part of the Axis, each a piece of the whole, then by being part of their bonding, it would supersede Anthony’s ties, and hopefully break it.”
My gaze connects with Zara’s, something electric passing between us. The unspoken words that Lena is skirting around is that the pair would be me and Zara. For whatever reason, Ruby would go down kicking and screaming before she bonded with Ezra, and I’m not certain how he would react either.
“And you would want to do this…”
“On Mabon. It's the next Fae holiday.”
“Which is also the night of prom,” Miri states, although I don’t think she really cares about prom. It’s more like she’s pointing out that we’ve been planning a party for the entire island and what, we’re going to be a no-show now?
“Well, technically, Mabon starts at midnight on Saturday, so we can enjoy the party and then at midnight we’ll do the bonding.” Lena raises her eyebrows as she says the last bit, sounding a little unsure. That same uncertainty shines in her eyes as she looks at me for a reaction.
I know how much it bothers her that Anthony snuck his way into her bond with Archer. I’d be furious to find out he’d done that to me, and I understand why they need to cut those ties. But it’s not like they’re asking for us to hold their beer while they get ready for a fight. This is a lifetime commitment. I know my thoughts, but it’s not fair to voice them without talking to Zara first.
