Page 77 of Anywhere

Both girls jumped to their feet.

“Dinnie ya dare hurt ‘im,” Elewyen snarled like she was the animal. Her hands balled into fists as she stepped around the table.

“That thing was about to steal our food and just bit me. Who knows what diseases it has?” I said, holding the squirrel out a little tighter so it couldn’t bite me again. “At the very least, it should be kicked outside.”

“Ya will be givin’ me Barry, or ya can be forgettin’ about me stayin’,” Elewyen stepped in close and glared up at me.

Fuck, what was it about everyone here being so aggressive, and why is it so damn hot?

My eyebrow cocked. “Is that so? Okay, you can have your rodent back, but only if you kiss me.”

“Um…I wouldn’t suggest that Rook,” Mari said, but I ignored her.

If building the connection was what Rhys was after, there was no time like the present to make this happen.

“Ya wanna kiss?” Her face twisted in obvious confusion. She touched her lips, and I nodded. “Aye, for a kiss den,” she said, and my mouth curled up in a smirk. “Gimmie Barry first.”

I looked at the red squirrel and then back at Elewyen. “All right, deal.”

Lowering my fist, I opened it for the squirrel to jump into her hand. It proceeded to make noisy squeaking sounds, its furry hand pointing at me like it was talking and telling a story before it ran up Elewyen’s arm and curled up on her shoulder.

I felt a moment of guilt as I stared at the ball of fur smaller than my fist as it shook, but when Elewyen stepped in close to my body, all other thoughts were wiped away.

Cupping the side of her face, I let my thumb travel over her skin. A small current travelled where I touched and made me groan. It was different than with Rhys, softer with a slight tingle and a gentle pull in my gut, but it had the same effect on my body. I dropped my head, and my lips touched hers. There was a distinct jolt as the connection of power jumped between us. I didn’t have long to relish it when a fist found my side and stole the air from my lungs.

“Oof!” Elewyen slammed both her palms into my chest. I stumbled back and crashed into my chair, gasping for breath.

“If me was ya, I wouldna start dis ting by threatenin’ me companion,” Elewyen said. Reaching down, she picked up two plates off the platter. “Can ya take me ta da room I’ma ta sleep? I’ma no stayin’ in ‘ere wit him.”

Mari looked horrified, her mouth hanging open as she glared at me.

“I’ma take ya in a moment. Let me speak ta me cousin.”

Elewyen stood by the door as Mari leaned over and gripped the arms of the chair as she stared me in the eyes.

“Do you not want this to work?” I opened my mouth, but Mari cut me off. “It was a rhetorical question. If you’ve decided that you want to go home, then go, and we will figure out how to save those on the island without you. Otherwise, don’t be an arse. Try to remember that the only interaction Elewyen has had with men are those who want to either steal from her or rape her.”

A growl rippled from between my lips as anger flared at the thought of someone hurting her.

“I warned you not to force a kiss from her. So next time I give you a warning, maybe try listening instead of letting your oversized ego control your actions.”

Mari stood straight, and I wasn’t sure what she thought as she stared at me.

“You have a lot of potential. Try not to allow your arrogance to fuck it up.” She marched away to join Elewyen at the door, and just like that, I was once more alone.

In hindsight, that may not have been the best approach. I rubbed my eyes and pictured the look on Rhys’s face when he found out. I never had a problem with women. They flocked to me and begged me to fuck them. Leaning forward, I grabbed one of the plates of food.

Why the hell had Rhys given me such an important task?

“Fuck. I’m not cut out for this crap.”

Rhys

It was late when I pulled up to the tall gates of Maughold castle. The guards made me get out to prove who I was. Seemed like a strange thing to do, considering they’d all known me for years. Getting back in the car, I waited for the heavy gates to slide out of the way.

As always, whenever I entered one of the other families’ properties, a shiver went down my spine as the warning of power pressed in on me. All the properties were guarded against those that would want to hurt us, but the spells were not infallible. On more than one occasion, a Hunter had made it onto the property and killed a guard before they were discovered.

I always liked the look of this castle, lights lined the driveway. It had a garden in the middle of the roundabout with bright white flowers and a fountain that ran all year. A magic all on its own.