Page 80 of My Summer Girl

I may have been shoved into this realm, but I got him to take home with me. Sure, it’s sudden, and Vex will probably grumble, but I’m bringing him back with us.

He’s mine.

They both are.

I offer my hand to Alessand. Partially, to be kind, the other since it’s a kind earthly custom. As a result, Raevar grabs my palm, not allowing Alessand to touch me. He lets out a little growl, snapping his teeth. That possessive display has the guard rolling his eyes, turning, and heading toward the next set of doors.

My stomach hollowly drops and so does the tense grip on my hand. “You can’t be possessive over me if you’re not going to acknowledge me,” I softly complain, wanting more than to pout. My voice is light, but even he can’t mistake the pain there. This side of Raev isn’t acceptable, and if he continues this way, there won’t be an us to continue.

We’ve been constantly touching for over a week. Almost like we couldn’t stand not being close and in each other’s orbit. He always made sure to be nearby too, so it’s definitely not one-sided. Scanning him, he only offers a sigh.

“Don’t shut me out,” I beg morosely, letting out a heavy breath. My face burns from emotion. Growing attached to people isn’t easy for me, but I’ve let him in. The distance between us aches in a way I’m unused to. His eyes connect with mine, a kind of wound resonating there that’s not placeable.

“Everything changes now,” he solemnly says, facing me. His expression is serious, like we’ve already been torn away from another, and our memories are all that’s left.

Immediately, I shake my head, gripping his jaw. “No,” I protest, my chest aching at the idea of being separated from him. “I won’t allow it. You’re mine now.”

His eyes fixate on mine, conveying a whirlwind of emotions. Almost like he can’t decide what he’s feeling and it’s overwhelming him to experience them all at once.

“You might change your mind after meeting Vera.”

Before I can say anything, Raev motions for us to follow the path Alessand took toward the doors. I’m unable to express myself further because he doesn’t give me the opportunity, and the irritation I experience weighs me down.

In an attempt to dismiss it, I square my shoulders and inhale deeply, unable to comprehend why anything has to change. My eyes instinctively shut, and upon opening, I’m amazed by the breathtaking dining hall before me.

It’s otherworldly. So vibrant and yet, still homely and festive. Candles float above. No, they’re not floating, but hanging from thin vines, like fairy lights twinkling in the darkest of rooms. The mood seems mellow, but everyone staring at us entering doesn’t help.

As my eyes roam toward the center of the room, they are greeted with a sight of a long table adorned with thorns and golden tablecloths and the greenest of green eyes I’ve ever experienced. Emeralds, like the prettiest shade of gems, are fixated on me.

Moody eyeliner and smoky eyeshadow make them somehow more enticing, and the way they’re narrowed toward me—not in annoyance but curiosity—is enough to lure me to wherever’s next.

My breath halts, and I can’t help but grip my chest. I’ve never met a queen before. Do I bow? I can’t look away from her. She’s captured me in her orbit. She’s so beautiful with her textured brown horns, tapered with a thorn crown with little flowers weaved through as it encrusts her head like it’s holding her steady.

I swallow the little noise that attempts to escape, wanting to hide from the way her attention devours. The people stay in silence as our stares stay locked, like nothing exists but us. In our own world, she ponders her next move while everyone else fades away.

“Little dove?”

Our trance breaks with those two words, posh and full of relief. I gasp a little, my eyes flickering from side to side, searching for them. Then they halt as they connect with Vex. They’re so near, they’re here, they came for me.

I let out a small unintelligible noise and rush toward them. My legs are moving at an almost painfully slow pace. The truth is, it’s a normal pace, but I’m eager to touch them sooner.

Their arms stretch wide as they patiently wait. Vex is sporting similar clothes to their normal ones, but somehow more practical, softer, and less fancy. I frantically jump as we grow nearer. Once in their warm embrace, a little cry crests from my throat. They’re really here!

Even though it hasn’t been that long, my body feels like it has missed them for much longer. Each caress of their fingers across my skin has me in shambles. I’ve missed them so much.

It feels like something inside me snaps into place, our little cord, the one that ties us together. “Oh, how I’ve missed your embrace, little dove,” they murmur, their velvety tone melting through my veins like a sickly antidote to all that ails me.

“Vex,” I desperately whisper, still not really grasping how they’re here. They twirl us around and I can’t help but let out a laugh at how at peace it feels to be in their arms once more. Our foreheads connect and the wholeness consuming me has our lips meeting.

The little moan that escapes is mostly muffled by their mouth. Their canines sinking into my bottom lip have me on the verge of becoming a hormonal puddle. My body heats at the action, warmness pooling in my belly. They don’t break skin, and every part of me wishes they would.

When we part, it’s not out of the desire to do so, but as a reminder of who surrounds us. Awareness washes over me and my skin heats at the audience we have. Shyness sets in and they lower me, my stomach gliding across their stiffness.

“Later,” they promise.

I nod, wanting to kiss them everywhere. Be their good little dove and reacquaint myself with the tempo of their heartbeat and the painful caress of their hands.

The moment my feet make contact with the ground, I smoothly navigate toward Vera. She still stands, a goblet to her dark lips. Instead of drinking, she's almost lurking in anticipation. Whether it’s from wanting to see what Raevar or even I will do, I can tell it’s calculated.

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