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Her eyebrows draw down, red flecks dotting her gold iris’s for half a second before her eyes clear. “It seemed like the best option for my goal.” It’s a murmur. Not something she wanted me to hear by the way she clears her throat before saying, “It seemed like a good choice. Like something I’d enjoy.” She shrugs her shoulders, trying to make her words seem more casual, but failing.
Her eyes flick to the side before a teasing smile curls her lips and she changes the subject. “So if you’re so afraid of heights, why the hell would you get on that first ride with me?”
Groaning, I rub a hand over my face and huff out a breath. That embarrassment from earlier floods to my cheeks again. When the guys and I first came up with the plan for today, they already knew what they wanted to do with Nessa. Whereas, I assumed we’d brainstorm together so I just went along with the first thing I thought of. Rides. You really can’t go wrong with rides. Oh wait, yes you can. When you’re absolutely fucking petrified of heights.
I didn’t realise I’d react quite that bad though. I reach up and grip the back of my neck, rubbing it awkwardly. Turns out when I’m trapped in a ride that I don’t trust, I freak out a lot more than usual. I can’t tell Nessa any of that though because we agreed not to mention that today has been coordinated. She’s a smart woman, so I’m sure she already suspects, but I’m sure as hell not going to confirm it.
“I figured it would be something that you’d enjoy and didn’t realise how much it would freak me out at the time,” I say weakly.
She cocks her head to the side. “I would have enjoyed doing something fun at ground level just as much.” Shaking her head she runs a hand through her hair. “Unbelievable male,” she mumbles and I smile as that warm feeling from before blooms in my chest again.
We quiet again, before I figure fair is fair and say quietly, “I want to become a potions master.” It’s not a lie, I’ve had to pretend to fail and repeat my years at the Academy over and over to hold up my cover, but I’ve learnt enough to pass everything with flying colours the moment I don’t have to pretend anymore. My boss has been kind enough to take that into consideration and has set me up to shadow with a potions master when I finish my time here. You need to do that before you can earn that label. Hopefully it will be soon so we can figure out what the hell is going on with the Academy and sort it out. Make it safe again for everyone.
Shaking my head to clear it of my thoughts, my eyes refocus on Nessa who is watching me intently. “I wouldn’t have expected that either. Though, I’m sure if youtryhard enough you’ll be able to accomplish it.”
She puts heavy emphasis on the wordtryand I have to bite back a smile. Yep, she’s totally on to me. Not that I’ve tried all that hard to hide it. She’s definitely a good candidate for what I have in mind to ask my boss. It’s just icing on the fucking cake that she’s my mate, and I’ll be able to protect her better if she’s by my side and knows more about me.
Changing the subject, just like she did a few minutes ago, I get to my feet. Thankfully, my stomach has successfully settled. “So, would you like to go get some food?” I check my watch before adding. “Afterwards would you like to check out the performer section of the marketplace? It’s set up sort of like a street for people to walk down with supes performing their short performances on the sides.”
With a grin Nessa nods, golden eyes lighting up, getting to her feet as well. “I’m always up for food and that sounds awesome. I hope we see some supes on stilts, I love seeing people on stilts, their balance is insane.” Her eyes slide to me. “I’d love to see you try it.” She waggles her eyebrows at me and my lips part in surprise at her reference to my fear of heights. “Just kidding,” Nessa adds after a moment and I grin, shaking my head as I lean forward, resting my forearms on the table between us.
“Brat, you had me worried for a minute there.” She laughs and I stretch my arms over my head, still smiling as I watch Nessa. Her golden eyes glittering in the sunlight.
Chapter Six
Dylan
Myfingersdrumagainstmy thigh as I peer around the room from my slouched position against the wall. I’m waiting on Nessa and Corin. He’s had most of the afternoon with her and just took her for an early dinner. Fae, Trolls, Pixies, and all other species and mixed breeds fill the entryway. The doors to the seating area haven’t been unlocked yet so we’re all clustered here waiting. The noise level is well past annoying and encroaching on fucking painful. This is always the worst part, one that I usually avoid, but Nessa deserves the full experience, even if I don’t love it myself.
This part of the night was Corin’s idea. The performances the marketplace puts on are always amazing. He’s lucky that I know people here and visit a lot, so I called in some favours to get us tickets. I really hope Nessa likes it. Everything she’s experiencing while here feels so personal. Like she’s meeting my family and seeing my home for the first time rather than just a marketplace. This is one of my favourite places, it has become a part of what has shaped my life, and it’s important to me that she likes it too. My nose crinkles. Goddess, that was pretty sappy.Keep a lid on it, Dylan.
Oscar and I relaxed at the library while Corin was on his date with Nessa, until it got close to time for the seating to open at the stadium for our last surprise. Oscar and Corin hung back this morning when I was spending time with Nessa. We’ve each made sure the others have had plenty of one-on-one time with her and it has me so relieved that we organised today, otherwise there is no way it would have gone this smoothly. Despite the small hiccups, it has been a great day. The reminder of my time spent with Nessa has a smile curling my lips, tingling at the thought of our first kiss—yep today was totally worth it.
Oscar shifts next to me, grunting when a supe bumps into him before scurrying back. He’s a lot quieter when Nessa isn’t around and seems rather distracted at the moment. “Are you alright?” I murmur, having to lean into his shoulder so he can hear me. He jumps a little at my proximity, clearly not expecting it, before relaxing as he scans the room.
His pale pink eyes flick to me, and he nods in answer, but his phone buzzes in his hand and he tenses again. A pained expression crosses his face and I shuffle a little closer, trying to offer him some support. I’m not sure what it is that’s upsetting him, although I have noticed some tension between him and his family when they contact him—but I want to offer my support anyway. The pink haired Troll is always kind to me so comforting him makes sense. I don’t have many genuine friends so I’m not exactly well versed in situations like this, but I’m willing to attempt to put him at ease.
I awkwardly pat him on the shoulder, unsure if I’m helping or making it worse. It draws a smile from him though, so I count it as a win. I’ve never been great at expressing my feelings or comforting people. Body language and physical touch is easier for me to use to convey my thoughts than actual words. Rubbing a hand over my face, I stay close even once we spot Corin and Nessa.
I nudge Oscar and he peers up at me from his phone. “They’re here.” He helps wave them down through the crowd and Nessa practically dives between us, so she’s surrounded by the three of us and separated from the crowd.
“Damn there are a lot of supes here.” Her sweet candy scent fills my lungs and I have to hold back the urge to purr. Her scent seems to be stronger than it was earlier today and I’m not complaining. It swirls around us, calming one of my overstimulated senses. It seems to have a similar effect on Oscar and the visible tension in his body melts away. Her eyes dart around the space before returning to us. “So what are we doing?”
Leaning down, I nudge her arm gently to capture her attention then point out a poster on the wall that’s partially obscured by the crowd. But after a few seconds, a slow smile blooms on her face and I know she’s managed to read what’s on it.The Great Michaíl
Storyteller.
“Really? Gods, I can’t wait. I’ve never been to something as big as this before. Corin and I saw the stage and huge stadium style seating on the rollercoaster earlier.” She’s practically beaming and my shoulders drop, the tension in them releasing.She’s excited.Glancing at Corin, I find him watching Nessa with a relieved expression and I smile.
Clearing my throat, I lean back against the wall and brush my hair out of my face. “Have you heard a lot about it?”
She shakes her head, golden eyes locked on mine. “Not really, only a few words in passing. I’ve seen a few articles on it, but they didn’t go into detail.”
“They like to keep what the actual performance entails fairly under wraps. I’ve been quite a few times and they change it up all the time. Lots of crazy, but well controlled magic and supes doing dangerous things.”
That smile grows and a mischievous glint sparks in her eyes. “Sounds right up my alley.”
Fingers crossed. My eyes flick to the entryway doors when a soft click comes from that direction. It’s familiar. Almost show time. Grabbing Nessa’s hand, I press back against the wall a little more, making sure she stays with me. Corin and Oscar take the hint and close rank around her—just in time too. The doors creak open and the crowd rushes through the narrow door frame. It’s chaos, and I swallow hard, shaking my head at the mass of supes.
