It should’ve been weird trusting another man with managing Skye, but I didn’t feel anything except relief. The Prince was much better with his words than I was. I knew I had my good moments, but Rafe never seemed to have a bad moment. He was justgoodall the time.
I could’ve been jealous, but once again, I was only relieved. Skye deserved a man like Rafe, one who could easily comfort her when she needed it.
I stalked into the kitchen, sensing that my other Link-mate was following me.
Wyatt and I hadn’t been alone together since I tried to kill him in his office last term. I wasn’t sure if that was because he’d been steering clear of me on his own or if Skye had something to do with it.
I kind of didn’t care.
I pulled open the fridge, finding a fresh jug of apple juice, and I stared Wyatt down while I drank straight from the bottle. Wyatt barely held in his look of disgust.
He and Rafe were so grossed out by it, and it was hilarious. I was the only one who drank this juice. I never would’ve drank straight from the container if it were something me and Skye shared, but they didn’t know that.
“What’s up?” I asked after a long pull.
Wyatt prodded the inside of his cheek with his tongue, then cleared his throat.
“I feel like we should talk.”
“Oh?” I took another long slurp and Wyatt’s calm façade cracked slightly, but he held firm.
“I need to apologize to you, Aiden. Are you willing to hear me out or not?”
I put the juice away, then sighed. I rested my hands on the island, leaning forward to look at him on the other side.
He did look nervous. He kept messing with the sleeves of his jacket, clenching his fists, running his hand through his hair. All classic signs of anxiety for Wyatt.
“So you’re deciding it’s time I forgive you?” I asked, knowing it would push his buttons a little further. Wyatt tensed, and I went on. “You wronged me, and now you’re deciding that you’re over it, and things need to be fixed?”
Wyatt breathed out slowly. Whether he was aware I was messing with him or not was a mystery.
“No,” he said softly. “That’s not what this is. I feel ready to apologize, I just need to know if you’re ready to hear it.”
“I am,” I said, leaning back against the cabinet beside the fridge. “I have been for a while, now, I was just waiting on you.”
Wyatt nodded, clearing his throat again. “I’m sorry, Aiden. I…should I have told you who Skye was as soon as I knew?”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“You’re asking me what to apologize for?”
Wyatt groaned, scrubbing his hand down his face so harshly, his cheeks turned pink. “No, Aiden. I’m asking becauseI don’t know. I know I did things wrong, I just don’t know exactly which parts you’re most hurt over.”
“You fucked with her Link-testing,” I said.
He didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”
“Why?”
“I was scared,” he rushed out, like he’d been waiting for someone to really ask him. “My father is a piece of shit. He’s been waiting on my Key for years, and I was scared of Skye’s affinities. I’m terrified of Telepaths. I thought that’s all she was.”
I nodded slowly, because this was good. He was being honest, and I believed him.
“I was scared of what she could do to me,” Wyatt went on. “I…I know it’s not rational. But my father fucked with me, Aiden, and I know your mom fucked with you–”
“My mom tortured me for a second affinity,” I cut in, running my hands through my hair. “She tortured me for a second affinity that never revealed itself even to save me. I still don’t even know if it’s a true second affinity or just an extension of the fire.”
Wyatt nodded. “I’ve been doing some reading. I’m thinking it might be a little bit of both since it acts differently than the fire, but the implications of that would be…astounding.”
