His eyes widened, and he eased them off the dance floor and a few feet away. “What have you heard?”
“That you and Spring make a game of analyzing women’s bodies and stating your opinions loud and clear.”
His cheeks darkened. “We may have done something of the sort, but only at one diner.”
“Yes, and I have met Ember. It was not well done of you, Robert. She’s stunning.”
He frowned. “To you. To me, she is all angry darkness and red eyes and sharp teeth.”
“She’s an ogre, of course she is.”
“You are starlight and moonlight and the space in between. I can see you, just as he said I would.”
“The season whispered in your ear?”
“I was nineteen and waiting for my bus. He came and stood next to me, striking up a conversation. We talked, and he asked me how I lost my sight. I told him that it was genetic. He asked what I missed most. I told him that it was seeing girls at school. So many had annoying voices that I was hoping their looks would make up for it.”
She couldn’t help it. She smiled.
“He had laughed and told me to close my eyes and focus on a good female voice. He told me that if I were lucky, the woman would match the voice.”
Elodie knew what he was going to say. “Don’t say it.”
He shrugged. “It was your voice. Your voice telling me to try, to rest, to cry when I needed to, and to touch when I needed to learn if someone was smiling. You helped me learn to see my favourite toys and held me when I cried.”
She reached up and brushed the tear from his cheek. “And you became an asshole hanging out with someone else with a teen mentality and said mean things about very nice ladies.”
He winced. “What can I do?”
She cocked her head. “I will set you a task, and you won’t like it.”
“What?”
“Apologize. Find the women whom you verbally dissected and make them smile without speaking to them or reminding them of what you said. Well, except for Ember. She needs a direct apology. Her nature didn’t just leave her with a feeling of disappointment in herself. The ladies that you insulted would have felt a drain on their sense of self.”
She looked at him, waiting for him to say something.
“And then you will go out with me?”
Elodie blinked. “I suppose. I am unemployed and couch surfing, so not exactly a catch.”
Robert touched her cheek. “You echo inside me, and I have a nice house, nice car, and a few businesses, and I throw a wicked party in June. I don’t mind helping you find out what you want to do next. I am just hoping I am on the list.”
She snorted but leaned into the light touch. She saw Delphine talking to Spring with her hands on her hips and her chin out. Spring looked hypnotized.
“Who is your friend?”
“Half-elf. Her name is Delphine.”
“Her power signature is... light?”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t she the head of several companies?”
“Sure. Light carries information. Like a fibre optic cable.” She smiled. “Business runs on information, and Delphine can see it.”
“Oh, Ty is all about light.” He glanced over at the couple. “She’s the one you are staying with?”
