“Yes,” Idris says. “I’m sorry if I’m being presumptuous, but I thought you’d be heading home with Stan. Perhaps to also see your sister?”
Home. The word sits wrong.
I was invited to live there, sure. My sister made that clear over a week ago. But I haven’t decided what comes after the ship yet. I figured I’d cross that bridge later.
Later just arrived early.
Silence sits between us. But my ears pick up on Em’s breaths. She’s sleeping fine for what she went through. Idris really does know how to calm her. I want to be able to do the same.
“There’s something else,” Idris says. “I don’t trust anyone else to do this, Nil, but Em’s in an incredibly fragile position right now. She needs attention and care she’s willing to accept.”
He looks past me, back at the bed.
“She won’t always take the offer,” he adds. “But she does with you. With Stan. I’ve watched it happen.”
Idris steps closer to the bed, his hand hesitating over Em’s hair. Some strands are damp and covering her pink, pouting lips.
“There are things at play that make her more vulnerable than she realizes,” he murmurs.
That makes my focus snap back to him. He meets my eyes, then looks away, jaw working in a way I’ve never seen on Idris. Whatever he’s holding back, it’sbig.
“I can’t be everywhere, and I won’t risk her being alone in all this,” he whispers. “But when I have the chance, I’ll come see her at Darkhaven.”
His gaze comes back to me, brows deepening in a pleading look.
“But for now, I’m begging you to keep her safe,” he finishes. “And to stay close to her at all times.”
That’s an easier task than he might think, so I nod. “You can count on it.”
Idris lets out a long sigh, this time with his shoulders sagging down with it. He’s about to say something when the door slides open.
Stan’s there, dressed decent and leaning on the doorway. “Had to hack the damn thing to be included, huh? And why are you all standing here like a threesome’s gonna take place without me?”
I glance at him. “You were asleep.”
“Yeah, Iwas,” he says. “Then I felt abandoned in bed, and my dick lodged a formal complaint.”
Idris breathes out through his nose, brows shooting up.
Stan steps inside, barefoot, arms crossing as he takes in Em. His voice drops a notch when he frowns. “How’s Em? She okay?”
“She’s asleep,” Idris says. “After a difficult night.”
Stan’s eyes move to mine, then back to Idris. “So what’s the plan? Because if this is about Em, you should know I’m already emotionally invested and physically attached.”
I snort, fighting back an eye roll.
Idris looks between us. “That’s what I was discussing with Nil.”
“Cool.” Stan grins. “Then loop me in, because wherever Nil’s going, I’m going. We’re abig packagedeal. Comes with great snacks, inappropriate jokes, and aggressive loyalty.”
I stare at him. “Stan.”
He ignores me and keeps talking. “Also, if Em ends up falling in love with me, I just want to make it clear here and now that I warnedyou, Idris.”
His grin sharpens with teeth.
“And if she falls in love with Nil too… Well, like I said,package deal. Or should I say a deal that comes with two big packages?”
