‘Explain that to him and tell me how it goes.’ She sighed. ‘So he’s been blessing the land, dropping off seedlings for some rare plants and all sorts. It’s cute really.’
‘Are you going to approve of her going to him then?’
Willow smirked. ‘She asked me not to until she decides if she wants to go.’
I opened my eyes, and I was back in my room. What kind of vivid dream was that? My skin tickled; there was a man sat by my bed, facing away and holding my hand.
Justbefore I jumped out, the familiar smell calmed me down. Thank Gods, it wasn’t some creep like Miriam had once mentioned. I didn’t want a stalker.
I cleared my throat.
Nothing.
Again. This time he moved. ‘Did you have a good nap there, Isaac?’
The hand that covered mine now rubbed his slightly swollen eyelids. ‘You’re awake.’
‘It would appear so. How bloody drunk did you get me?’ I accused him. ‘I’ve had some seriously peculiar dreams.’
The naughty smile he rocked made me shiver.
‘I’ve lost such an opportunity. Why don’t you let me join in on the fun next time?’
Silly dream traveller. ‘Privacy is a foreign concept to you, right?’ I laughed. ‘It was a dream involving my sister–’
‘Whoa.’ He raised his hands and backed off, taunting me. ‘I didn’t take you for that kind of freak. But then again, your dragon does call you sexually peculiar.’
‘Sexually challenged, actually.’ The way he picked me apart was refreshing. It was so light-hearted; it made me forget about my problems. ‘I dreamt of peace between my sister and me. It was… lovely.’
Something gentle sparked in his eyes. In two long strides, he was by my bed and taking a seat on the edge.
‘Are things difficult between you two?’
‘That’s an understatement. But my whole life I had this perception of her... an image of an entitled princess living her life the way she wants, no matter the consequences. It helped me hate her.’
‘Did your perception change?’ he asked softly, and I paused. ‘People change, Ava. Maybe you’re only seeing the other side of her because she wouldn’t allow it earlier?’
‘No, I think I just didn’t want to see it earlier.’ My throat grew tighter, and I swallowed through the uncomfortablefeeling. ‘It was easier to ignore and judge than face the fact she struggled with our mother. Just like I did.’
Isaac sighed before wrapping his hand around mine.
‘Your past doesn’t define you. If you’d like a relationship with your sister, you have to fight for it. Do you think she’d like you in her life?’
‘I don’t think so. She doesn’t like me very much; she thinks I’m a whiny idiot with a victim-complex.’
He stilled. ‘She said that?’
I thought back to many of our arguments. ‘I might have called her a raging whore, bringing shame on our family back then.’
The man before me let out a quiet rumble of amusement before covering his face with his hands. He looked as if he didn’t expect such harshness from me. ‘I mean… did you really think that?’
‘I think I was fifteen, and she had a new guy every week.’ Warmth spread down my neck. ‘I might have been a little jealous honestly.’
‘Of what?’
This was getting deep. And embarrassing. ‘Male attention, I guess.’
Slouching a little in my direction, he looked surprised. ‘That’s not the kind of attention you’d like anyway.’
