I shrugged. ‘Everyone but Ayden and Eden.’
I could feel him smirking even if I couldn’t see it. ‘That’s probably very accurate.’
‘Just stay in the trees and don’t get seen,’ I told him as Ayden jumped offstage and rushed over to us. He hugged Eden before moving to hug me but then recoiled. “Forgot for a second, sorry.” He blushed.
I smiled up at him, amazed that he and Ariyon had once shared a womb. They were so different. “It’s okay. Thanks for the escort.” I motioned to the area where the guard stood against the back gate.
“You’re safe when you’re with me, Fallon. Promise,” he said and suddenly I found it hard to breathe. He was looking down at me with an intensity in his gaze and Eden must have picked up on it too.
“I’m super thirsty I’m gonna go get a drink,” she said, ducking under the rope and leaving me with the steel-eyed gaze.
What just happened? Why was Ayden suddenly looking at me so differently? A new band took the stage, this one much more formal looking and holding violins. A quartet. Much more like the music I was used to in Isariah. They began to play slow music and Ayden swallowed hard. “Dance with me? I’ll be careful,” he promised and I felt a lump form in my throat. What was happening? Did Ayden like me, or was he just being nice? He was nice to everyone so I wasn’t sure how to interpret this.
I nodded and held out my covered arms, draping them loosely behind his neck, pulling him closer than I’d ever been to him before. He rested his hands on my hips and looked down at me with those searing blue-grey eyes. “You look beautiful tonight, Fallon. I’m really glad you came.”
“Thanks,” I managed to breathe out.
He called me beautiful.
‘The boy has it bad,’Yanric agreed.
‘Shush,’ I scolded him.
I wanted to have my moment, because this certainly felt like a moment. A moment in time where I felt…almost normal.
He leaned in closer to me and breathed against my ear. “I have a confession.”
My heart slammed against my chest as I pulled back to look at him. I had a moment of panic when I thought maybe a stray hair had come loose from my bun, but all was well. “What?” I braced myself for ridicule or some horrible discovery, but he grinned like a fool.
“My brother told me today about how he is the only one who can touch you without pain and I wasinsanelyjealous.”
“You were?” I managed, feeling surprised at the thought that Ayden was capable of jealousy.
He nodded, licking his lips. “Now I can’t help but wonder if I can too…”
My breath was ragged. I would be lying if I hadn’t thought of it also. If the nice brother could touch me, life would make sense. I could have my first kiss, my first real boyfriend, and live happily ever after.
“I thought it was because he was a healer. So I had Hayes try,” I told him and he steeled himself for the answer. “It didn’t work.”
That smile was back. “Maybe it’s a Madden thing.”
A Madden thing.How incredibly swoon-worthy, but why? How?
“I’m too scared to try, though.” He admitted, “I would never want to be the source of your pain. Ever.”
My heart couldn’t possibly take any more. “Ayden, I—”
“From day one I’ve liked you, Fallon. You’re beautiful, kind, and strong,” he said in a rush as if he’d been holding it in all day.
I like you, Fallon.
Did he seriously just say that?
‘He said it,’Yanric confirmed and I swallowed hard.
“You forgot an amazing reader,” I added and he tipped his head back and laughed. Oh Light, that laugh made my whole body warm. I found myself wondering what Ariyon sounded like when he laughed. Did it sound the same?
“And funny,” he said with a grin.
