“Definitely too late,” Finn agreed with a grin that promised trouble.
“You two must have been exhausting as children,” I muttered.
“Still are,” they said in unison, and grinned at each other.
“A toast.” Everly raised her glass. “To the most entertaining Ignistar we’ve had in years.”
As we all clinked our glasses, I realized I agreed. I couldn’t imagine a better way to celebrate the High Day.
Everly dismissed me from cleanup,saying it would take longer to explain how to do it and where everything went than if she did it herself. Instead, I wandered out to the small beach, sand soft under my bare toes. I sank down, mesmerized by the sight and sound of the waves crashing in the surf. It was the most peaceful sound I’d ever heard. I tucked my knees up to my chest and circled my arms around them. There was a slight chill in the air, reminding me that up north there was snow on the ground.
A light blanket settled over my shoulders. I recognized his presence as he sat beside me, shoulder barely brushing mine, and I felt that familiar flutter.
“Has it come here?” I said quietly, hesitant to disturb the peace, but needing to know.
He knew instantly that I referred to the dorchas we saw in Terraleth. “Not yet,” was the equally quiet response.
I turned to face Griff fully, his face half in shadow. “Is there a large structure where everyone gathers?”
He knew what I was asking. “I can take you there tomorrow.”
I played with the sand, digging my fingers in. “You’ve read the prophecy, right?”
He gave me a look, question in his eyes, but just said, “Yes.”
“What do you think about it?”
“I think for something that’s supposed to be an instruction set, it’s sadly lacking.”
My thoughts exactly. “And the obscured words?”
His brow furrowed. “What obscured words?”
Everyone I asked had the same answer. Why could only I see them? “Never mind.”
I turned and faced the ocean again. No wonder he loved it so much. We sat in silence, shoulder to shoulder, listening to the crash of the waves, seeing the stars twinkle in the sky, neither of us needing words. His hand sought mine where it laid in the sand, engulfing it in his larger one.
After some time, I excused myself. Griff stood when I did, ever the gentleman, but stayed behind when I headed back to the house. I paused in the kitchen to thank Everly again, and she gave me a warm hug, reminiscent of the type Nana would give me. I blinked away tears. She kindly pretended not to notice, but I think she understood.
I was climbing the staircase when I heard their voices.
“What’s going on between you and Lexie?” Finn’s voice was accusatory, but of what I wasn’t sure.
I paused, just out of sight.
“Nothing,” came Griff’s deep rumble.
I snorted at the same time Finn did.
“Nothing?” he echoed. “You were practically fucking her on that dance floor.”
I could feel my cheeks burning. I mean, I agreed with him, but I didn’t realize others had thought the same thing.
“And you brought her home. Have you ever brought a girl home?”
“She was alone. It was the right thing to do.”
“Cut the bullshit, Griff. Is there something there?”
