Guilt twists through me and I can’t stop watching him. I hate my feelings. I hate the mess I’ve made of my life.
But most of all, I hate the position I just put Chaos in with his friend.
Kain and I sit in the damp grass near the river’s edge. The smell of pine is heavy in the fresh air, and I breathe it in deeply on a shaking breath. The water is barely a trickle here; a calming sound that fills the quiet forest while these two discuss my ex right in front of me, and I pretend not to listen at all.
Rime doesn’t reply to that statement, but he does consider it. He seems to pick apart what people say and now is no different.
“I wonder what the woman did to him. Seems he was stupid enough to fall in love with her.” Kain’s emerald eyes skim to the tangle of thick tree limbs above, letting the pieces of sunlight warm his skin.
“You sound so jaded.” I bite my lip the moment I say it. Sometimes the words just slip out. I’ll blame it on my normal lack of a social life. I was supposed to be minding my own business.
The look Kain shoots me says he thinks I should mind my own business as well. Chaos’ dark brow arches at me, almost sending me a warning signal with a single look.
“I’m not jaded. I’mcareful. Responsibility makes someone careful. I don’t back down from commitments or responsibility. You just have to be careful in life.”
Hmm, sounds jaded. And no one knows jaded better than I do.
“Who was the woman who made you so careful?” Once again, I lecture myself about minding my own business, and, once again, I ignore that little chastising voice.
Kain doesn’t look angry this time. His attention holds on me, shifting over my features slowly. For a moment, I think he’ll actually tell me. Then his gaze tears from mine.
“We need to get back.” He stands, leaving me behind as he starts walking back into the thicket of the woods.
Chaos shakes his head before trailing after his friend in a rush like he might comfort him.
Rime watches him go as he passes by, his arms folded neatly in place before he shoves away from his spot against the tree. Thin twigs snap under his boots, and he startles me when he pauses at my side. We stare at one another in an awkward beat of silence. Stiffly, he lowers his hand to me, and it takes me a moment to realize I should take this small offer of kindness from him. His warm palm grips mine, pulling me to my feet until we’re chest to chest. The clear blue of his eyes studies my features as I tip my head up to him. The feel of his breath against my lips is a cold and tingling feeling. He searches every part of my eyes, looking for something there. Or … maybe he’s trying to understand me.
When his animalistic gaze makes something in my core tighten, I pull away, letting my palm fall to my side finally. That sparking energy seems to swirl within the small space between us, skimming over my flesh in waves.
“You two coming?” Kain’s voice yells out to us, and it seems to break the building tension immediately.
My gaze flickers to Rime’s once more before I turn away, trailing after the sound of his friend’s voice.
And forgetting all of those confusing emotions the moment he’s out of sight.
***
Kain sits on my kitchen table, his long legs nearly touching the floor as he lazily discusses the details with Chaos and Rime.
And I’m left forgotten as I listen intently. I’m all but taking notes about what they’re saying, and no one seems to think to filter themselves in front of me.
“Kreedence is adamant that she’s in this area. He says the mage was chased out of the town east of here for accidentally setting fire to a crop field when they tried to burn her at the stake. The people were pissed she wouldn’t just accept her punishment.” Kain almost smirks, and his eyes lock with mine as I smile a cocky reminiscing smile.
As if I’d really just let them burn me at the stake.
How insulting.
I didn’t intend to burn everything in a ten mile radius but… incidents happen.
“So, she’s dangerous?” Rime’s long fingers tap against the tabletop. He sits lazily in the chair, his legs spread out wide and invitingly.
Laughter shakes through Chaos and soon Kain is laughing right along with him.
“Hardly. Kreedence said the most dangerous thing about her is her mouth that never shuts up.” Kain’s smirk irks me to my core.
My lips part with outrage, but I manage to snap my mouth closed before the protests leave me.
“Rime,” I call out, standing abruptly. I don’t have to sit here and listen to my shitty ex-boyfriend fill my friends’ heads with lies … not that they’re my friends …
