Page 78 of My Summer Girl

A hand taps my shoulder, where the vines tend to avoid—which is lucky for their sake. When I look up, Alessand leans in. “I wanted to warn you, my queen, but Raevar came here before doing anything else.”

“All is well, Alessand. Thank you.”

“What should I do?” he whispers, conspiratorial. A laugh bubbles inside me but doesn’t escape. He’s concerned about me being livid, but that’s not my base emotion. It probably should be. Their entrance was an interruption, and the court is gawking, but I’m amused at the way Raevar seems out of place.

“You shall do nothing. I’m waiting for Raevar’s reaction. Then we will proceed from there.”

As if he can hear me, his gaze connects with mine. Shining with a nostalgic kind of glistening, I don’t understand the expression. Hades, I don’t even know what reaction I’m offering in return. Part of me hopes it’s stoic and unbothered, but inside, my heart rudely hammers at seeing him after being apart for so long.

His lips move, but he’s too far for me to hear him. Maybe that’s best for us both. He’s been avoiding me, but seeing as his pin still rests against his chest, there’s no way he hasn’t felt my worry.

My lips tighten as I do everything in my power not to grimace. I’m hurt, though I shouldn’t be. I sent him away to find me love, and he did... but Dulce? She’s Vex’s mate.

Vex turns toward me, almost as if they feel my overwhelming thoughts. Their expression seems relieved but also troubled, and I take another sip, only offering a nod.

What do I say?

Dulce bounces to her feet, slipping free of their embrace. Without an invitation, she tentatively heads toward me. Alessand leans forward again, this time his hand hovering over the sword on his side.

“She’s no threat,” I hiss, not wanting her to fear me. She’s more welcome here than Raevar is at the moment. I’ve been impatiently waiting.

Her gaze dances across the room, not leaving a detail unsearched. Wonder settles and her mouth forms the cutest awed expression I’ve ever seen.

Somehow, her bare feet send tendrils of her giddiness through me. Solera communicates her emotions where I can’t visually decipher what she’s feeling.

She loves it here.

When the distance between us is only a few feet, she climbs the stairs to the table I nervously stand behind. Still, I don’t sit, wanting to appear approachable. This is our first meeting, and with the sourness in my stomach over my best friend, I’m struggling to keep a sweet face.

“You’re Vera,” she announces, her voice pure sunshine. A shiver runs through me at the melodic tone. It’s sweet and kind, almost like it’s wrapped in sugar. “I’m Dulce Amor.”

Rapid thumping hits my ears, and I just know she’s having some sort of effect on me. “That’s me,” I nearly choke out, my voice softer than normal. It’s reverent, gentle, and it lacks the normal bite I offer most.

Her peachy eyes glitter with amusement, and she leans over the table. “I’ve been dreaming of this moment, mi reina.”

My queen.

Shit.

What those two words do to my entire body. Her words are syrupy and promising, and I can’t imagine what she’s done since being gone, but the way her voice invades my senses like the sweetest desserts has me lost. She grips the table, her cute, manicured nails digging into the wood like she wants it to remember she’s been here.

She knows.

She speaks to us.

I blink slowly, her scent invading my nostrils. It’s the best thing I’ve inhaled other than Vex and Raevar. It’s telling, begging me to lean in, to lick her throat and leave no curve untouched.

My body recognizes something I’m disallowing to be a reality.

She’s yours, Verano of Solera.

Solera be damned, this girl is the one I’ve been seeking.

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