Chaos steals another slice of apple, his fingers brushing mine just slightly.
“Well, that’s not true. He has us. We’re a family. The only family that matters. Among all the bullshit of his past, he has us.”
I nod, trying to push out the pressing feeling within my chest.
I’m—jealous in a way.
My family was there for me, but they never embraced me as a mage. They always hid me away because it was safer. The powers within me, and my emotions in general, suffered because of it.
I shove away that pitying feeling and choose snark instead.
“What’s Kain’s excuse then? Why’s he so damn charming?”
Chaos’ lips quirk into a smile that makes my stomach tangle, and my gaze clings there for a moment too long.
“Kain.” A humming noise catches in his throat, his attention held on the way I’m pushing the last bite of my apple into my mouth. “Kain is a mess. He’s been hurt too much for him to be as happy as he should be.”
He’s been hurt? He’s so handsome and strong, I can’t imagine anyone hurting him. But I know what it’s like to be hurt and to hide it.
“And you’re the stable one of the three? Carefree and full of happiness.”
His gaze holds mine, shining with color and life and energy that seem to buzz between the two of us. There’s a sadness there in his amber and sapphire eyes that seems to tear away the happy feeling leaving me with a twisting sensation of guilt.
“I guess.” He shrugs before standing, taking the jeans and striding away from me before he pauses for only a moment. His next words are spoken so low I barely hear his quiet confession.
“Or maybe it’s just easier to pretend.”
***
My arms fold across my chest as we wander up to the tree line we left Kain and Rime in. The thick branches overhead shadow over the two dragons. The moment I’m near enough, they shift in a swirl of red and white like winter snow mingling with fresh blood.
I’d like to say that I’m used to their nudity by now, but I might never be. I do applaud myself for pretending not to acknowledge their dicks.
“She show up yet?” Chaos nods to Kain.
“I doubt it.”
Three sets of confused eyes land on me, and it takes a moment longer for me to realize I said that sarcastic remark aloud.
“I mean,obviouslyshe hasn’t.”
I avoid their narrowed eyes, and instead, I peer past them, meeting Agatha’s vacant gaze. She stands in her small front yard, staring directly at me. We’re concealed here. Completely out of sight within the forest, but it doesn’t stop the intelligent mage from keeping tabs on us.
“Morning, Low.” She waves as if she’s all too aware of the four of us lurking in the shadows. “That bitch show up yet?” Her voice sounds frail against the curse word, and it takes everything in me not to smirk at her fond new name for me.
I suppose I deserve that.
“No, she hasn’t. No sign of her yet.” I yell back to her.
She nods as she picks a plump tomato off a vine and adds it to her basket.
“Well, I’m sure she’ll turn up.” She ignores us as she pulls another nice round tomato from the vine.
Kain’s eyes narrow on the old woman as if he might tackle her to the ground and demand information from her.
I roll my eyes at how ridiculous my life has become lately.
Talking about myself in third person to my only friend in life. Prancing around in plain sight while I pretend not to exist entirely. I’m just digging my own grave really. But I can’t leave until I have the money.
