The ferry was soon motoring through the harbour towards Protection Island. Drew had been before, and although there wasn’t much todothere, he had wanted to share it with Zach. Lunch at the pub and then a stroll around the island would be a relaxing way to spend the afternoon. He was still doing the homework Kensington had assigned him, locating his centreand making contact with his power in the middle of everyday activities. He figured now was as good a time as any to do so, and he reached down inside himself, pleased when he immediately felt the spark waiting for him. He gathered a small amount to him, not doing anything with it, just running his metaphorical fingers through it . . . connecting with it. Drew almost felt like he was getting it used to him, somehow. Like perhaps it was a stray cat and it would get spooked if he suddenly tried to snatch it up out of the blue one day. He took a few more moments to justbewith the magic and then he let it go, letting it slip back into the well of power within him.
The sun was warm against his face, Zach was a solid presence by his side, the cool breeze whipped against his skin, and Drew relaxed back and simply enjoyed being in the moment. A few minutes later, they were docking at Protection Island and they patiently waited for their turn to disembark.
They headed straight for the Dinghy Dock Pub, since it would likely be at capacity this close to lunchtime, and managed to snag one of the last remaining booths. Drew was pretty sure it wasn’t luck that got them the table but the charming smile Zach flashed at the waitress. She looked a little flushed as she walked away, and he couldn’t blame her. Zach was looking particularly sexy today in slim-fit jeans, a tight white tee, and heavy military-style boots. Where Drew was sure his own hair looked like a bird’s nest from the wind off the ocean, Zach’s dark hair looked artfully tousled by the breeze. He’d shaved that morning but he already had a hint of stubble, and it made his plush lips look all the more kissable for it.
They both ordered fish and chips, and chatted while they ate, and Drew amused himself by using his magic to move the salt and pepper shakers around the table when he was sure no one would notice. They didn’t linger once their meals were done, since it was very crowded and noisy in the pub, and they were soon climbing up the ramp from the dock and walking along the narrow laneways that snaked around the island.
“So, when will you see your aunt again?” Zach asked, harking back to the conversation they’d been having previously.
“I’m not sure,” Drew admitted. “I do try and get back to Victoria to see her once a month or so, but it all depends on her work schedule and whether I can afford the bus ticket.” He didn’t mention he’d rather go without food for a few days in order to scrape together the money for the bus than disappoint his aunt. “I’m due to see her soon, but I guess it depends on everything happening here.”
“How so?”
He shrugged. “Kensington is giving up a lot of his time to train me, so it would feel a little rude to make him work around my social life.”
“I’m sure he won’t begrudge you a family visit,” Zach said.
“Maybe. I’ll have to wait and see what her new roster looks like anyway, so it could be a moot point. She picks up a lot of nights and weekend work—the shifts no one else really wants—because they pay so much better.” He glanced over at Zach. “Is there a reason you asked?”
Zach grinned. “I’m sure you’ve figured out I’m dying to meet her.”
Laughing, Drew nodded. “Yeah, it’s pretty obvious.”
“Would you have a problem with me meeting her?”
He looked away, feeling a nervous flutter in his stomach. “How exactly would I introduce you?”
“How would you like to introduce me?” Zach countered.
Drew could feel himself blush. “I mean, I know we’ve been doing stuff together and we told my friends we’re dating, but that was mostly to shut Edward up, wasn’t it? I don’t want to lie to my aunt.”
Zach stopped mid-stride to give Drew a long look. He then glanced around, nodded when he saw what he was looking for, then took Drew’s hand and towed him off the laneway and into a small grove of trees. He led him far enough away that they were out of sight of anyone walking past, so they had some semblance of privacy, and then guided Drew to sit on a large rock. Crouching down in front of him, Zach took both of his hands in his. “Sweetness, how doyousee us?”
Drew shrugged and looked away, unable to meet Zach’s glorious whiskey-coloured eyes.
He heard Zach sigh. “Let me guess. You think I’m just having some fun with you until you figure out how to break my bonds to Oberon and then I’ll be off on my merry way without a backward glance?”
Drew winced. That . . . wasn’t far off the mark. “Um, maybe?”
A hand cupped Drew’s cheek and gently turned his face until he met Zach’s gaze. “I’m sorry if I’ve given you that impression, sweetness. I didn’t mean to confuse you.”
“No need to apologise,” Drew said, aiming for nonchalant and probably failing terribly. “Why would you stick around for a nobody like me?”
“You arenota nobody,” Zach told him sternly.
Drew couldn’t help it—he rolled his eyes. “God, yes I am, Zach! I’m just a broke uni student who accidentally summoned you. There’s nothing special about me, not really.”
“I beg to differ.”
He snorted. “Why, because I have magic? Magic is just another skill, like being able to sing or being really good at cooking. It doesn’t make me a better person, or smarter, or make us suddenly compatible. What do we even have in common? You’re . . . fuck, I don’t evenknowhow old you are, and you’ve experienced things I can’t even begin to fathom. We’ve been thrown together by a summoning spell, but when that’s gone and you’re not tethered to me anymore, what’s left, Zach? What on earth is there about me that could make you wanna stick around?” He realised his cheeks were wet, and he swiped away a tear.
Zach’s eyes closed, and he looked immeasurably sad. “Oh, sweetness. I want to go back in time and find every single person who ever made you feel like you’re not good enough and rip them to shreds.” His eyes snapped open with a fierce expression. “I have a feeling I’ll need to start with that piece of shit, Edward.” He leaned forward until their foreheads were touching and his breath ghosted over Drew’s face as he said, “You are not only sweet and kind but so damn smart, and you make me laugh so much. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve laughed so freely? It isnotyour magic that makes me want you, Drew Phillips. It’s everything about you that makes you,you.Yes, I’m older than dirt, and I’ve seen some shit, but I reckon we’re still a better love story thanTwilight.”
That made Drew huff out a small laugh.
“I may be some crazy mix of angel and demon, but one of my powers is sadly not being able to see the future,” Zach continued. “I want to be with you even after we break Oberon’s hold on me and the tethering spell as well. Will we last the distance? Ihopewe will, but I don’t know for sure. You might get sick of me. Who knows. But I’m willing to try if you are. I want to date you and get to know you better and see where this goes. So I’m asking you . . . Is that something you want as well?”
Another tear slipped down Drew’s cheek and he sniffled a little but nodded, their foreheads rubbing together. “Yes, I want that more than anything.”
