Magic kept the grass down around the gravestones, and I paused at the gate, my heart thundering in my chest. I had only been back here once since Regina, and that was to bury my parents.
Worst fucking daughter and sister ever—but it hurt too much to know they were truly gone from my life. Before I could enter, I found myself hesitating and then turning away. I started to run through the fields, like I had as a child, my hands brushing across the flowers.
My favorite old tree was still in its spot, shading the world, and I crawled up onto its thick roots and watched the clouds. Louis used to find me here all the time. All of the millions of times he had comforted me, protected me, stuck up for me against bullies….
Even before we had power, I was always the poor supe, the wild one who didn’t follow rules and liked to dress in bright colors. Regina fit in better, but she was still always a little on the outside. People were very critical of social standings back when we were kids.
Memories assaulted me, memories I’d locked down tight and refused to let out for many years. But being here, the same scents, my favorite tree, the home I’d run from, it released the vault.
One of the strongest to hit me, outside of the first day I met Louis and the day my sister and parents died, was the day he told me he was going on a date with Regina. I’d just gotten out of supe college, and was sprawled back under this tree….
“Tee!”
My head lifted at the shout and I looked around for him. Louis’s flushed face came into view moments later, and I almost lifted a hand to my chest to calm my heart. How my best friend could affect me like this was insane. But it was getting stronger.
When he reached me, he pulled me to my feet in a single strong tug. He was filled out now, towering over me, his broad shoulders square and strong.
“She said yes!”
I blinked at him, something dark slithering through my body and settling with a dull thud in my gut. “Who said yes?”
Louis dated, but never anything serious. He was already making waves in our world, so powerful, so kind, and probably the hottest guy anyone had ever seen. It doubly helped that his family were rich and powerful. He came from blue bloodlines, and it was astonishing that we’d remained best friends through all of that.
He eyed me closely, some of his excitement fading. “Regina, of course. You encouraged me to ask her out, remember?”
It took everything inside of me not to cry then, because I’d been half joking that day, when Louis had said he was going to join my family one day. He loved my parents and was very excited to be invited into our lives. I’d joked that he’d have to choose my sister as a mate for that to happen.
The memory faded and I jerked my head up from the roots. The day I’d told Louis he’d have to choose my sister as a mate, he’d given me a dark look. I hadn’t known what bothered him at the time, but now I wondered if maybe he’d been hinting at something to do with me. And I’d pushed him to Regina, making it very clear that I was not interested.
Which couldn’t have been further from the truth, but I’d been afraid that my desire to have him in my life and family would be clearly written across my face, so I’d gone the opposite way. Like the stupid moron I was.
Pulling my phone out, a long-neglected piece of technology that I rarely had reason to use, I found Louis’s number. I’d had it for years. It had felt like a lifeline to him even though I’d never used it.
Me: When you told me that day you wanted to join my family, and I suggested you’d have to be a chosen mate to Regina, was that the moment I lost you?
I had no idea why I was asking him this; he probably didn’t even remember that day.
His reply was almost instant:You never lost me.
My fingers flew over the buttons as I tried to write as fast as my furious thoughts were coming.
Me: That was the moment though that you went to my sister. Did we have a chance? Was it me you wanted first?
Louis: Yes.
Yes!
My phone vibrated in my hands again and I almost held my breath as I read his message.
Louis: I miss you.
Holy shit.
Another vibration.Louis: I’ve missed you for years.
Me too, Louis.
Hugging the phone to my chest, I tried not to cry again. Crying was not productive, and it did not help me deal with these emotions weighing me down. I still wasn’t ready to face my family though. It was hard enough just being back here after so many years, so instead I headed toward the farmhouse.
