She turned to Reynner, but his expression remained unreadable, his attention on the couple. “Are you still upset with me for insisting you come here?” she asked quietly.
“No. You are right, this has to be faced.”
Reassured, Eve focused on the man with Echo. She still couldn’t get over Aethan being Aerén’s brother. They had similar features, the same lean face and stunning looks. And that hair. Except Aerén’s reminded her of a faded summer sky, blue with hints of white, and this man had more black in his, like a summer’s night.
“Don’t stare at him,me'morae. Or I’ll be jealous.”
She laughed. “Their resemblance is uncanny, except for the hair. Are you going to tell him about Aerén?”
“I don’t know, Eve.” After a moment, he pulled off his shades and tossed them on the dash then got out and came around to open her door, pinning her with a reprimanding stare that she’d already done so. Eve patted his arm as she stepped out. “I'm sure I'm safe here.”
Reynner shut the door as Echo hurried over to them, a smile lighting her angular features. Her bi-colored amber and gray eyes glowed brightly, a striking contrast to her tanned skin.
“Reynner, it’s wonderful to finally meet one of Aethan’s friends,” she said.
Reynner gave Echo a half bow in greeting.
Her gaze shifted to Eve. “I’m really glad you came.”
So used to being with Reynner and her friends who didn't touch her bare hands, Eve reacted a second too late when Echo grasped hers. A gasp tore out of her. Pain punched her in the chest. Images crashed into her mind—a little girl, a dark basement. Terror. Slaps, kicks.Mind-numbing agony.
Eve broke free, swayed as blackness edged her vision. Reynner grabbed her.
“It’s okay—I have you, Eve,me’seya. Breathe. Slow, deep.”
She struggled to hold on and tried not to let the shadows take her under… From a distance, she heard Echo’s frantic apology. “What is it? Did I do something?”
“No. Just don’t touch her, at least not her hands,” Reynner said, holding her against him and stroking her back.
Breathe Eve, breathe, sweetheart. I'm here, hang onto me,he whispered in her mind.
His warmth seeped through her, easing away the darkness and pain. In the deepest heart of her, his presence glowed like sunlight, and she knew then, it was through their joined souls that he had calmed and aided her.
Reynner had anchored her.He’ll never let the darkness win.
“Eve cannot touch another without the person’s memories and thoughts hurting her,” she heard him explain.
“Oh, Eve, I’m so sorry.” Regret and dismay colored Echo’s voice.
As the darkness receded, Eve let go of Reynner and offered him a reassuring smile at his look of concern. “I'm fine—I'm fine, really. Thank you.”
She turned to Echo and Aethan, heat flaring across her cheeks. “I’m sorry about that. It’s not your fault. I should have put on gloves. It’s just that being with Reynner, I forget to wear them.”
“No, don’t apologize,” Echo said, still looking a little concerned. “Let’s go inside.”
Eve followed her up the stairs to the portico. But the memories she’d picked up from Echo left a raw pit in her stomach.
“Echo,” Eve began hesitantly as the younger woman pushed open the front door. “I'm sorry for what happened.”
“You saw it…all?”
“No, flashes only—a basement, a little girl…”
Echo paused in the foyer. She didn't say anything for a second as if caught in another moment. Another place. Then she nodded. “My foster parents when I was young. Not a good time—thank God that’s all in the past.” A smile lit her face, her mismatched eyes glowed. “Come. Hedori’s made the most delicious carrot cake for tea.”
***
The moment Eve disappeared into the castle, Reynner met his friend’s even stare. There was no recrimination there, just acceptance.
