So, it turned out that the haunted castle was simply just an abandoned castle in big need of a clean-up. No ghosts or hauntings as far as I could tell. Oliver and I had even gone at night, much to my horror, but there luckily wasn’t anything that went bump in the night.
After sleeping in and having brunch with Oliver in town today, I felt like the castle was a distant memory, even if it had only happened the night before.
Oliver seemed determined to show me every part of his small town, and I kind of loved it. I had friends back at home, but it was freeing just doing what I felt like for a change. Here, I wasn’t expected to be the same boy I had been years ago. There wasn’t anyone who told me how they knew I loved certain things, because I had as a child and they seemed to think that would always be the case. Yes, I was thinking about the café owner Willow, who never asked me what I wanted from their menu, because, inher words, sheknewme. I’d never hated tuna sandwiches as much as I do now. Could I have told her no and said what I really wanted? Yes, but I had this urge to please those around me, so I just shut my mouth and nodded like she was completely right, and tuna sounded amazing no matter how often my dads took me there.
With Oliver, he asked, he learned with me whoIwas. This had to be what Hilda had talked about, this feeling of starting over, exploring who I was, or simply who Iwantedto be. I couldn’t wait to see how I would feel at the end of the year, but for now I wanted to stay in town and get to know Oliver a bit more.
Oliver’s arm was locked around mine like usual, so when he stumbled on one of the stones, I was there to help him right himself. It made us both fall into a laughing fit, until I felt a tug in my chest, like my body was alerting me to something close by. I tended to trust my instincts, so when my gaze swept our surroundings, it crashed with a brown-haired guy nearby.
I gasped, way too loudly. It caught Oliver’s attention and I knew he saw the same guy, but I couldn’t be sure, since my eyes wouldn’t leave the stranger’s. He had green eyes, and… Holy…. I was attracted to him!
Without a conscious thought, I let go of Oliver’s arm and closed the distance between us. The guy did the same, his eyes kind, hopeful, and full of longing. I didn’t even think as I crashed my lips against his, it was like my body had taken over and everything inside of me needed him, like air, like water. No thought about him being a stranger, or dangerous even crossedmy mind. Nope. My lips met his and it felt so right. I felt his arms around my waist, the secure feeling of being this close to him, and then, nothing.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Nolen
“What did you do to him?!” the black-haired guy demanded as I held Aiden’s slumped body in my arms. I was vibrating with need, with urgency. I needed to return home, but now I had this stranger defending Aiden’s honor to deal with, and I really wanted to just disappear.
“I’m Nolen,” I said instead. “Aiden has a condition that causes him to pass out at times if he feels overwhelmed.” A total lie, but it wasn’t as if I could tell him the truth.
“Oh,” he said, rubbing his neck. “So, you know Aiden, then.”
“Yes.” I replied, and because I felt the need to claim him, I added, “I’m his boyfriend.”
The guy wrinkled his nose, like he was confused. “Oh. Does that mean he has to go home now?”
Why was he acting like I was Aiden’s father picking him up from a playdate?
“Yes, but I’ll tell him to message you when he’s awake.” I could promise that easily. If this guy was Aiden’s friend, then I wouldn’t keep them apart.
“He won’t wake up anytime soon?” he questioned.
I shook my head. “Could be hours. And I need to take him somewhere quiet.”
“Let’s go to the motel then, that’s where he’s staying,” he informed me, walking ahead like he expected me to follow him.
And I did. There was only one motel in town, so I knew I had to follow no matter what. I needed Aiden’s stuff and my own before driving back to the portal. I hadn’t planned for Aiden to be sleeping for our journey, and I feared he would get hungry or that his core wouldn’t be able to hold itself together for the long drive.
“I’m Oliver, by the way,” he said, still walking in front of me as I held Aiden close to my chest and enjoyed having my mate close.
I still couldn’t believe I had two mates. It was unheard of. But maybe the rulers had been onto something when they said they were closer than normal twins were. It actually made sense. Derek and I had felt something was missing, and that somethingwas a someone, Aiden.
People gave me weird looks as I carried Aiden protectively in my arms, but I ignored them. I could put on glamour so they wouldn’t notice him, but Oliver would be confused if Aiden suddenly disappeared. It really would make my life easier if he wasn’t here.
The motel came into view and Oliver led me to Aiden’s room first, effectively dodging what I learned was his mom, on our way there.
I wasn’t about to let Oliver touch my man, so I did a lot of wiggling until I managed to get his keycard out of his pocket. Then, with another weird move, I got the door unlocked.
Annoyingly, Oliver followed us inside the room, clearly not reading the room. Or maybe he simply didn’t care if he was wanted or not.
I put Aiden on the bed as gently as possible, then I started packing his stuff, enjoying the small glimpses into what he owned. I hadn’t even spoken a single word with him, and yet I felt like I knew everything already. Maybe it was the bond that had started to form between us. I inwardly sighed, I would start to struggle with my emotions soon, and then I would arrive home a mess.
“So,” Oliver began, rocking on his heels by the door. “You need any help with him? It feels weird just watching, you know?”
I kept packing while he spoke and as I answered, I still didn’t meet his gaze, intent on getting away from here as soon as possible.
“I know what to do, and where to take him. But I appreciate the offer.” I hoped it sounded sincere enough, I was starting to feel itchy and just wanted a chance to call the rulers. They needed to know as soon as possible, otherwise I would have no help coming if needed, and it might be needed. How long could Aiden live without ingesting water? I couldn’t make him drink or eat. Like with Derek, he needed medical assistance until he woke up.
