Page 37 of Gift from the Tree

Well, and cry…fucking ridiculous.

“You look lovely this morning. How are you feeling?” Gaster asks, passing me a cup of coffee just the way I like it as I walk into the kitchen.

“Nervous, honestly. Will they all be there?”

“I don’t believe so.”

“Which ones will—”

A knock at the door cuts my question off.

Gaster shoots me a small, reassuring smile and I throw my coffee back in a couple of quick gulps, letting the slight burn distract my racing heart. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the guys and that dinner. I don’t know them at all, not even a little, but them and Gaster being the only people I’ve interacted with since being here, I feel almost drawn to them. It must be some sort of trauma bond I’ve created or maybe some abandonment issues. Fuck if I know.

Making my way over to the door, I open it as soon as I reach the door handle so I can’t chicken out. Standing there, leaning against the frame, Draken hits me with his signature warm and inviting smile. His auburn hair is styled back in his perfectly messy way and those beautiful cobalts shine brighter and brighter as his smile continues to grow. Before I can say anything, he lifts me up in a hug and twirls us around.

Burying his face in my neck, he inhales deeply. “I’ve missed you, little wanderer,” he whispers against my skin.

I let out a breathy giggle as chills travel down my body. “Yeah, I think I might’ve missed you too, Draken.”

He sets me down gently but grabs my hand in a death grip like he’s afraid I’m about to run away. “Ready for some breakfast?”

“I’m not sure, honestly.”

“It’s just me and Corentin. Tillman had to get to the training yard and Caspian is MIA this morning. I’ll keep Corentin in line,” he informs me, trying to ease my worries.

“Really?” I ask skeptically, seeing as he didn’t say anything to anyone the night of the dinner.

“Yes, I will. And I’m sorry for saying too much and not enough before. I won’t do that again, Willow.” His use of my real name sends a pang through my heart. I didn’t like that. I like the nicknames he calls me.

“Let’s go.” I give him a small smile and squeeze his hand, hollering a bye and see you later to Gaster as we head out the door.

I don’t bother to start a conversation as we walk toward the mansion and neither does he. Walking comfortably in silence, I can’t help but think how much more I would’ve smiled and laughed if I had let him come around these past few days. Maybe then I wouldn’t have spent the days on an emotional rollercoaster, but I was fucking terrified at how fast my feelings were developing for him, so I refused to give in.

“I’m sorry for avoiding you this week. I just really needed space and time to wrap my head around what’s happening. So much had changed in such a short time, I felt like my world was crashing down. Then Caspian kind of sent me over the edge. But thank you for respecting my space,” I say, breaking the silence. I didn’t want to go into this breakfast with any additional tension. It’s much easier for me to talk with Draken than Corentin, and I want to make things right before walking in.

“You have nothing to apologize for. I should be apologizing to you every day until you forgive me. I should’ve never let either of them speak to you that way.” His eyes shine with truth and I want so badly to believe him, even though my mind is rebelling against that.

When we walk into the breakfast room, I take a second to admire the view. It’s the best view in this house that I’ve seen so far. The sun peeking out above the tall sea of green trees is truly breathtaking.

I make my way over to the table and slide onto the bench, taking up the same spot I did the last time I was here. Draken slides in on the other side and starts filling our plates.

I swear I could sense him before he even walks through the door. Corentin comes in and stops as he sees me. It’s like he’s surprised I actually showed up and not gonna lie, I’m a little surprised I did as well. I put up a good fight with Gaster about it and about him not joining, but he made a pretty good argument about me needing to be as prepared as possible for classes and it would help to not start off with any animosity. So here I am.

“Hi,” I say shyly.

He clears his throat, looking down at his feet before raising his gaze back up to me. “Willow, how are you?”

“I’m good. How are you?”

By the slight rise in his brows, I can tell he’s taken aback that I asked in return, which makes me wonder if anyone ever asks him how his day’s going or what he has going on. I know he has the guys and they’re brothers, but men can be weird about talking about things with people.

“Busy, thank you for asking,” he replies formally, obviously not wanting to go into more detail with me.

I watch his every move like a hawk, unable to keep my eyes off him. Every move is meticulous, precise, routine almost. When he grabs three mugs, he pours one black, his, and then makes two more almost identical. I shoot Draken a side-eye, and he raises his shoulder in a shrug.

“I have a sweet tooth,” he justifies with a toothy grin, making me smile.

As Corentin slides my mug over, I reach out for it at the same time, causing our fingers to brush. Light flashes in my eyes and I’m instantly thrown into visions of him.

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