Eyden let out a curt laugh that almost got swallowed by the light wind. “By Caelo, of course he’s real.”
“It’s hard imagining you with friends and not brooding alone in your closet at home.”
Eyden opened his mouth to protest then closed it. Lora supposed even he realised he couldn’t argue with that. The image of Eyden sitting in his closet, writing with that pen of his with laser-sharp focus, made Lora giggle.
“Although I couldn’t imagine it either, Ilario is very much real. You’d like him,” Lora said as her eyes drifted between Eyden and Elyssa.
Elyssa’s smile had a tint of sadness to it. To lighten the mood, Lora said, “Did Eyden mention that I saved him from falling off a cliff?”
Elyssa’s eyes widened with curiosity as she turned to her brother. “He must have conveniently left that out. Tell me more.”
Eyden laughed, brushing a lock of dark hair from his eye. “I merely stood too close to the cliff. Lora was still secured by a rope, so she pulled me back.”
“Stood too close to the cliff?” Lora’s laughter was louder than before. She sought out Elyssa’s eyes. “He left out the part where he tripped over nothing.”
The other girl joined her laughter. “I wish I could’ve seen that. The invincible Eyden almost gets taken out by his own feet.”
Lora was wiping tears from her eyes, her laughter ringing true. When her eyes met Eyden’s again, she was afraid she’d gone too far, but all she saw in his eyes was joy. It calmed her laughter and invoked a different kind of feeling. She held his stare. “And for the record, I would’ve grabbed your hand even without the rope. I didn’t even realise it was still there.”
The intensity in his brilliant pale eyes made Lora second-guess her confession. Eyden swallowed. He glanced away, then back at her. “That would have been foolish.” His lips tilted up. “Insane, really.”
Elyssa’s voice broke their eye contact. “Well, as glad as I am that you saved my brother’s ass, he could use a dash of reality. Human or fae, he’s not invincible either.”
“I can handle a small fall off a cliff,” Eyden said as he waved a hand.
Elyssa shook her head. “Exactly my point. Remember that card game we used to play?” She turned to Lora, not waiting for Eyden’s response. “I had a lucky streak at first and he was obsessed with beating me. He could never admit defeat. When he finally won and I couldn’t care less, he fucking lost it.”
Elyssa’s laughter rang in her ears as the fond memory warmed Lora’s heart. Her eyes travelled to Eyden again. “And here I thought you never lose.” A teasing smile lifted the corner of her mouth.
“Not when it matters.” Eyden’s voice was filled with unspoken implications.
Elyssa coughed lightly, getting up from her spot. “I think I still have that game. I’m gonna go get it and leave you two to continue talking in subtext.”
Eyden grinned sheepishly as he watched his sister walk off. His smile increased the slow fire building inside of Lora. Left alone, just the two of them, she was hyper-aware of how close they were sitting.
“Are you worried about tomorrow?” Lora asked, breaking the tense silence. What she really wanted to ask was why he’d chosen to show up at the camp. Why he’d acted when so much was on the line. Why he’d tried everything to get to her when they hadn’t even known each other that long. But was she ready to embrace his answer? To accept her own feelings that she’d tried so hard to brush off? It would completely ruin the image of fae she’d lived by.
Eyden stared up at the stars lighting up the sky, each one like a beacon of hope breaking through the darkness. “Honestly, a bit. I’m pretty sure Jaspen thinks we’re both expendable.”
The honest answer surprised her. Had they really moved on from pretence? “I thought their mission was to protect all humans.”
Eyden tilted his head towards her. “It is. But protecting the camp is his priority.”
Worry was sneaking back into her mind.
Seeing her anxious face, Eyden added, “If things go south, I’ll make sure you get out of there. I promise.”
Lora’s mood sank further. She clasped her rose gold necklace, her constant reminder of all the wishful promises she’d made. “You can’t promise that. Promises are…we both know there’s no way of knowing with certainty how this mission will go.”
Eyden was quiet for a moment, trying to read her expression. His eyes reminded her of a fair, hopeful summer sky against the dark night. “Okay, then I swear I’llmaybesave you.”
Lora’s grin returned in full force. “I’ll take that.Maybe.”
As Eyden turned towards the bonfire, the light of the flames danced across his face, illuminating his eyes. “You’re not sure about this at all, are you?” he asked into the flames. “Yet you’re still doing it.”
Words from their night of truths flew through her mind once again, encouraging her on and banishing the thoughts that were holding her back.No more holding back.She’d done enough of that the night they’d watched the stars.
“Nothing happens when all you do is wait,” Lora said, her voice a whisper of encouragement.
