“I’m fine.” He answered automatically.
I focused on the air around us and I felt a barrier snap into place. “It’s just us.” I reached for his hand. “How are you really doing?”
Rowan looked down at our hands clasped together and then back to me and I watched his facade break. His shouldersslumped and his face fell. I watched his eyes take on this haunted look. “Not great.”
“Talk to me.” I stepped closer and wrapped my arm around his, leaning against his shoulder. I didn’t even think of it, but I also did this with my dad, with Ronnie. I could hear Rowan draw in a breath and then let it out slowly.
“I failed them. They are dead because I haven’t figured everything out yet, and telling everyone today that everyone they love is completely gone.” I heard him swallow. “I just failed them. And now I have to go on and face these people like this is completely normal.”
I tightened my arms around his. “In our world, it is.” I looked up at him and I swore I could see tears fighting to spill over, but in one blink, they were gone. “You haven’t failed anyone. You were handed a tangled mess when you were a child. And you have been stuck trying to figure it out since then. I know today was hard, but no one can accuse you of not understanding what they feel.” He looked at me. “This mess started with you losing not just your family, but your entire race. No one has lost more than you. You haven’t failed. And I won’t let you.”
The knock at the door startled us away from each other. I hadn’t realized just how close we had gotten until I jumped away from him. Rowan closed his eyes and then nodded.
“We won’t fail?” His words were soft, but there was a tiny flare of hope to his words.
“Not if I can help it. I will take these next few years to crack into everything I can.” I thought about what my plan was and I worried at my lip.
“What is it?”
“I need a place I can hack into for practice.” I looked up and Rowan nodded.
“Use my stuff. I would give you the information to find me, but that is half the battle.” The knock sounded again. “Get that?” Thehope that flared in my chest that he wanted to spend time with me was pushed down.
I nodded. “The rest of the girls are here and we have a plan to make.” Rowan nodded.
“You can stay if you like.” I offered without thinking.
“What?” Rowan tilted his head.
“I, I, I.” I stammered over my words, but I cleared my throat at his chuckle. “I mean, you are a part of this, and if you are free, would you like to stay? I have some of the prepared meals from the cafeteria. I know it isn’t much, but I’d like your thoughts on some things I want to talk about.” He watched me from against the wall, and then a small smirk graced his lips.
“I’m just going to shower, change and then I’ll head back then.” I felt the smile break across my lips and I nodded.
“Sounds great. I’ll take the time to break it to the girls that everyone they love is still alive. That way you don’t have to deal with any more tears.” He sagged.
“Thank you.” I could hear the relief in his voice. “I don’t think I could deal with any more.”
The knock sounded again, softer, and a little confused. I released the spell with a crack and Rowan opened the door. I could barely see around him, but the three girls froze.
“Umm. My king.” Wendy flushed bright red. “We are looking for Amy.”
“And you are in the right place.” He opened the door wider, and I waved from behind him. “Come on in.” Rowan stood aside as the three women walked in. “I’ll be back later.” He tossed out before walking out. Him, naked in the shower, blasted through my mind so fast I nearly hit my knees. But I shook my head, clearing the thought. He is not mine.
He could be if you wanted.Nix’s voice was full of laughter.Obviously, you like him.
He is quite adorable, for the human side.Megan barked out a laugh and soon my two wolves were rolling over each other in my mind. My face heated, turning me a pleasant shade of red.
“Where is he going, and why is he coming back?” Hanna rushed over next to me to whisper, and I swore I nearly choked on my spit.
I coughed a few times and covered my cheeks with my hands. “He’s going to shower, and then he is coming back to talk.”
Hanna slid closer. “Why is he coming to talk?”
“We have a lot to cover. Let me grab my things and we can talk about everything.” Everyone nodded and helped me pull my bags off the carts. I stuffed the food into the fridge for now and turned to bring everything to the bedroom.
We found Toya there wiping her face. “Sorry Amy.” She smiled, but it didn’t make it to her eyes.
I waved her back down to the bed and I waited for everyone to come into the room. I focused on my magic and slid a sound barrier into place.
