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Sebastian’s smile faltered. “Well, that can’t be good.” He wiped his brow once with his equally damp forearm before going for his shirt, which he’d removed and tucked partly into the waistband of his loose running pants. “Are you here to tell me to be on my best behavior while you're gone?”
Isla held in her laugh, leaning back and pressing her hands into the soft moss behind her. “Maybe I should be.”
“Don't worry. I’ll be a model citizen.”
“Sure, you will.”
All he gave in return was a grin as he slung his shirt around his neck.
Isla, though less devilish, found herself returning it. She wouldn’t tell him outright if only to prevent stroking his ego, but she was grateful he was here, that he’d asked to stay. He made her homesick for Io in the best way because with him and Adrien were most of her fondest memories—none of those that were poisoned so much now with resentment.
A war of guilt and relief waged inside her with a touch of fear.
Maybe she should’ve put her foot down and told him he couldn’t remain here, just to keep him safe. She couldn’t imagine him being dishonorably cast out as a rogue, unable to join any other pack.
“Why did you want to stay?” she asked. “You know the consequences of being out of the pack longer than you’re supposed to.”
If the worst ever came to be, she’d likely make him stay here in Deimos, dealing with the brunt of the consequences and fighting anyone who tried to take him away.
Sebastian’s features scrunched as if that were the dumbest question anyone had ever asked. “Because you’re my little sister. A big, new house, a fancy title, crown, and a mate who could probably kick my ass—those things don’t change that. They haven’t really changed you.” He gripped both ends of his slung shirt and paced a few steps closer. “You’re still terrible at asking for help and want to do everything on your own. You never want anyone looking out for you because you don’t want to be a burden. You’re stubborn to a fault…”
Isla inclined her head and narrowed her eyes, yet fought to keep a smile off her face. “Please, go on.”
Sebastian snickered. “I’m afraid we’d be out here all night, and you have a boat to catch.”
The boat.
Isla lifted her eyes, seeking the sun’s position. She didn’t have much time left, though she knew whatever ease lay between them would shatter once she dropped the truth, and keeping him safe would become much, much harder.
Don’t be selfish.
“Are you afraid you upset Dad?” she asked. Not the question or statement she should’ve been making.
Avoiding, avoiding, avoiding.
“Afraid? No. Idefinitelyupset him. Or, at least, disappointed him and made his life pretty hellish with Cassius.” His features edged into a scowl before softening again. “But he’ll understand that I’m here for our family. At the end of the day, after all of the politics and bullshit, that’s what matters.”
Something deeper lay within the words, something rawer, but Isla was too distracted to pick it apart.
Family.
Tell him. All of it. Right now.
Isla opened her mouth, closed it. And opened it again, finally asking, “Do you want to take a walk?”
Sebastian cocked his head and laughed. “I just ran twelve miles worth of hills, but sure.”
Isla slid down from her rocky perch. Her legs were shockingly unsteady, her body still off-kilter from earlier.
“It’s not that cold out,” Sebastian commented on her shivering and layers of clothes as they started on their way. Isla ignored it, crossing her arms over the bulk of fabric, leading them down a horizontal path so she wouldn’t have to brace as many inclines.
“Do you think I was out of line on the Equinox? Accusing Dad of—what I did.” She wrung her hands together and took a few moments to survey the brush. “I just...need someone to be honest with me. Kai would, I’m sure, but he's also horribly biased in my favor.”
Sebastian rubbed his neck. “Well, maybe you were…harsh.”
A pit formed in Isla’s stomach. “Great.” She snatched a twig off the ground to at least have something to do with her hands.
“You wanted honest.”
