Page 5 of Gift from the Stone

“Don’t tease me,” I say, flustered, standing from the love seat hurriedly.

Stomping my way over to my clothes, I then toss my wet underwear and pants to the side and quickly pull on a new pair with some biker shorts. Holding out his shirt for me to put on, Draken stands there with a playful dance in his gaze, a mixture of amusement and anticipation. I snatch my shirt off forcefully and toss it at his face while I pull his over my head. He just laughs, holds it to his face, and takes a deep breath.

“Come on, kitten, they’re out there waiting on us.”

Despite him getting me all hot and bothered, I’m thankful for the distraction. I’ve been putting this conversation off since I arrived, and he’s the only one I’ve verbally talked about it with. Caspian, I’m sure, saw what was about to happen to me but not what led to that moment, but now that I know there’s a connection, I can’t keep it from them.

“What’s going on?” I ask suspiciously as the other three hush their conversation when we step out of my closet.

“I don’t think Ry and his guys need to hear this. It’s none of their fucking business.” Caspian snarls, shooting Corentin and Tillman a look of fury.

“One way or another, they’ll find out. Either from Oakly when I tell her she can talk about it, or from Tillman when he informs Ry of what he’s learned. I won’t go into graphic details, Caspian.” He knows what I’m talking about, and I can tell that’s what he doesn’t want them to hear by how his eye twitches slightly.

“Fine.”

Corentin steps directly in my line of sight, blocking me off from the other three as soon as I move forward. “Willow, I need to tell you something before the others come in.”

“What’s wrong?”

“In my awakening, I saw what happened the night your element broke free. Not everything that happened but enough, and I told the guys about it.” Poking my head around him, Caspian gives me a nod, confirming they all know. Draken and Tillman nod along guiltily.

I don’t move or break my eye contact with Corentin as I think about that. I’m definitely a little upset, but to my surprise, I almost feel relieved.

“I’m not happy you shared that with everyone without me knowing, but at least now I won’t have to tell it to you all privately after this conversation. Have you all shared what you saw in your awakenings with each other?”

Three yeses and one no resound around the room.

Caspian shrugs his shoulder, adding, “They know what I saw for the most part, but no, not everything, no details.”

We stare at one another as an understanding passes between us. He’d be furious if people were just discussing what he went through without his knowledge or permission and he’s extending that courtesy to me.

“Thank you,” I tell him genuinely then focus back on Corentin. “I’m glad you told me. I’m mad that you told everyone, but I’m not mad that everyone knows. I didn’t want to talk about it, but I was willing to for the sake of honesty.”

“I know and I’m sorry. I know…we know better now, and none of us will have discussions like that again without you involved.” He swears, guilt and sincerity flaring in his eyes.

“Everyone will be here in a minute,” Tillman informs us, breaking up the tense moment.

“I don’t want to do this here. I’m not tainting my room with that night.” I declare.

They wait for me to decide where we’re going, but I nod to Corentin, giving him the choice of where we’ll talk. I don’t want to make any decision, small or large, right now.

“Outside in the fresh air would be best,” he announces while pulling his communicator out of his pocket and starts typing away. No doubt informing the kitchens.

As we step onto the back patio, the kitchen staff is already placing finger foods, pastries, and coffee on the table, at the same time as Gaster, Oakly, and her Nexus poof onto the back lawn.

“Are you okay? How are you feeling?” Oakly asks as soon as she’s closer to me.

“I’m fine now, I promise.”

I grip her hand in mine as I move slightly over to Gaster, who’s crept his way right beside us. Turning to him, the words I was preparing to say are smothered out as he pulls me into his chest.

“I’m so sorry, Willow.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for. No one here does.” I tighten my arms around his waist and hold on for a second longer.

“Is Jarod answering any questions?” Tillman asks Ry as they greet each other, grabbing my attention.

“No. He hasn’t said anything since they took him to the holding cells. He’s just sitting there with a smug grin on his face.” Ry snarls, causing the others to growl along with him. And I mean real growls, not the sexy growls I’ve read about in my smutty books. Oakly and I share a look that has laughs busting out of us.

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