As the sky outside lightened—a misty
gray with hints of indigo—Drei sat a small box on my knee.
“It was intended for Christmas,” he explained
softly. “I was uncertain how Nick would have reacted.”
“Thank you,” I said, remembering how
I had been grateful when no second mystery gift appeared while Nick still
questioned everything.
“I believe it is more fitting as a
birthday gift. It is Valentine’s Day.”
It hadn’t occurred to me my birthday
was here. The last weeks had been such a whirlwind of information, travel, and
emotions, I had lost track of the days except in reference to each other. But
if he said it was Valentine’s Day, I was probably the worst person to
contradict him.
Opening the box, I found a golden
centipede bracelet with chalcedony insets, a match to the angel necklace he had
gifted me before.
“Drei,” I gasped, facing him and his
contented smile. “It’s gorgeous.”
“It is no match for you,” Drei said
softly. He kissed my forehead. “You have grown beautifully this past year.”
“You aren’t just saying that because
I finally realized I had what I wanted in front of me all along?” I asked,
slightly concerned my words weren’t as specific as I had intended.
He laughed. “The end is not something
to judge growth on,” he reasoned. “It is the journey you examine to find the
character revealed. Your character is bright and heartwarming.”
“Now you’re just flattering me,” I said.
He meant every word though I couldn’t fathom how considering the messes I’d
made.
Drei stood, gently pulling me to my
feet, smoothing my hair back. His slightly warm hand rested a breath longer on
my neck than necessary—not that I was complaining. “You need sleep,” he said
before removing his hand. “Valetta and Mitchell have planned a special party for
you; do not tell them I spoiled the surprise.”
“Drei,” I joked, lightly hitting him.
The space between us was so awkward
in the silence that followed, it was hard to believe we had ever been apart. Being
close to him felt natural. From the happiness and longing radiating about him,
I knew he felt the same.
“I’d better get some sleep,” I said,
moving to leave, only to be stopped as he enveloped me in his arms again.
I didn’t want him to let go; I didn’t
want myself to let go. But the door opened behind us and we sprang apart,
worried at being caught so soon in our revelation.
It was only Mitchell. If he could have blushed, I imagined he would have; he quickly turned his back to us as though knowing he had
interrupted something important. Drei sneaked a kiss
to my cheek, then whispered to have sweet dreams. I didn’t need to admit they
would be sweet without the worry of destroying an existing relationship. They
would be sweet because I wouldn’t wake up feeling guilty.
As I shrugged into my coat, Mitchell
smiled approvingly, saying, “It took you long enough.”
“But I got there,” I replied, pleased
when he nodded, smirking.
“You are learning…and on your own.”
I felt like I was walking on
air—which may not have been an exaggeration. It had all fallen into place after
all. I still had questions, but there was time. And with Drei’s love in my
heart, I felt like there was nothing—not even the unknown challenges ahead—I
couldn’t face.
End Book One
No comments:
Post a Comment