“Isla.” He gently took her hands, moving them to her sides. Slowly, he lifted his palms to her cheeks, allowing his magic to glow softly, allowing a gentle coolness to soothe her heated skin. He studied her eyes—full of embarrassment, but also that same vulnerable light he had glimpsed at the orphanage. “I am over the moon to know you’d welcome a kiss, because I’ve been desperate to kiss you good night for far too long.”
“You have?”
“Yes, truly.”
She licked her lips, looking nervous, and his eyes lingered there.
“May I ... go ahead and kiss you, now that I know it would be welcome?”
She gave a small smile and a gentle nod.
Leaning in, he paused, her breaths mingling with his. This moment meant so much to him—he always feared that not only would he not be there for her when they separated, but he was also aware that every lifetime he would have to work to convince her that they were good together. When they parted in each life, she begged him every time to find her, to convince her. Full of gratitude that she was giving him this chance now, he closed the distance, and her soft lips pressed against his.
He kissed her gently, not wanting to rush her. He remembered past moments of intimacy, but this was all new to her. Her arms curved lightly around his neck, and his hands found her waist, pulling her closer. Her lips moved with a quiet curiosity, exploring, learning. His hand traced her back beforehe cradled the back of her head, holding this fragile, perfect moment.
A small sigh escaped her lips, and his heart raced. He pulled back just enough to rest his forehead against hers.
“Thank you, Isla,” he whispered. “Thank you for being you, and for letting me in. I promise, I’m here for you.”
She pressed a soft kiss to his cheek, wrapped her arms tighter around him for a brief hug, and stepped back, cheeks still flushed from her embarrassment but now smiling.
“Good night, Andrew.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Isla slipped inside and eased the door shut, the image of Andrew’s smile lingering on the other side of the threshold like a warmth she could still feel against her skin. She leaned back against the wood, palms pressed to her flushed cheeks, her breath coming in quick, uneven, excited bursts. The quiet of the apartment wrapped around her, but her heart was still racing, alive with the memory of his touch and the taste of his kiss. Her feelings for Andrew had taken her by surprise—but in the best of ways. It felt so right, even though only not that long ago she would have laughed at the very idea.
Crossing the room, she spotted Darwin darting behind a fan of green foliage. Smiling softly, she lifted the tin of food and tapped a few flakes into the water.
“Well, Darwin,” she whispered, watching him swim eagerly upward, “I don’t usually kiss and tell ... well, I don’t usually kiss ... but you’ve always been good at keeping my secrets. And oh, my—what a kiss it was.”
The fish opened and closed his mouth, snapping up the morsels as if in perfect agreement. Isla laughed under her breath.
“But it was Andrew,” she went on, her voice dropping to something more fragile. “Can you believe it? Because I hardly can. I just ... hope I’m enough to make him want to stay.”
As Darwin circled back through the plants, her smile faded. The thought tugged at her chest, that old ache she knew too well. Was opening up worth the risk? Because now—after thatkiss—losing him would hurt in a way she wasn’t sure she could bear.
No, she trusted him. But fears, she knew, had a way of lingering, surfacing just when you thought you’d conquered them.
Chapter Thirty-Six
December 15th
Isla knelt in her tiny private greenhouse, her hands sinking into the rich, earthy soil. She loved the feel of it—grounding, simple, and satisfying. She had spent the afternoon tending to struggling plants, repotting seedlings into fresh soil, and labeling each tray carefully for the spring. She checked leaves for signs of mildew or fungus and adjusted the moisture levels of the soil where needed. She could have used her Aetheric gifts to speed the process, but sometimes it was good to work with her hands, to feel the life in the plants directly. Besides, after a tough training session with George that morning, she didn’t want to tire herself further.
She heard the door creak open, and looking over, she saw Andrew enter and smiled in greeting. Edmund had been doing a workout just outside on the grassy area surrounding them while keeping watch over her.
Andrew looked back as Edmund dropped into a series of precise, almost terrifying push-ups, arms stiff, back straight, core tight. Every movement screamed of army-style drills—discipline, grit, and a certain unforgiving intensity.
“That man has a dark, frightening exercise regime,” Andrew muttered, shaking his head. “I’m glad I met you before he did.”
Isla laughed. “Maybe, but my first impression of you wasn’t quite as impressive as Edmund’s grand entrance.”
Andrew walked slowly toward her, boots soft on the greenhouse floor. He leaned down and pressed a short, tender kiss to her lips, one that carried a depth she loved.
“Well,” he murmured, pulling back just slightly and looking a little smug, “I must have done something right, since I’m the one who gets to kiss you now.”
Laughing, Isla looked outside, glad that Edmund seemed preoccupied. She reached to pat his chest but paused when she saw the muck on her hands. She didn’t want to soil the crisp white fabric of his shirt. He noticed and, with a playful grin, gently guided her hand anyway so it rested squarely over his heart. He didn’t mind the dirt at all.
