Page 108 of My Summer Girl

Chapter Forty-Three

Dulce

Un Año – Sebastián Yatra, Reik

Can feet glide?

Mine sure feel like they do as I head toward the throne room. Alessand informed me that she’d be there. Raev came over and kidnapped Vex to go visit Raev’s abuelita.

As much as I’d love to meet her, it felt like a bonding experience they wanted to have without me. And who am I to stop two of my life partners from scheming together?

There’s a bubble of joy inside me, sparkling like glitter and popping like those candies that Di likes from the human realm.

Everything feels right. I’ve found my mates. I’ve found happiness.

Until the summer ends, at least.

My pursuit halts as soon as I make it through the big doors. Vera is pacing back and forth demanding things all while her eyes are widened, frazzled as if something is wrong.

The air in here is charged, almost with nerves? Or maybe it’s the bond between Vex and her, which now includes Raev and me. She taps her nails against her thorn covered arms, fidgeting as someone chats with her.

It’s like she doesn’t see them, her eyes either skating around or zoning out.

Unable to watch her unravel for longer, I head her way. My body doesn’t seem to recognize the threat her thorns hold, because I unconsciously tap her shoulder.

She jumps, her vines immediately thrashing out. Not at me, but around her in warning as a result of Vera’s nerves.

Sliding a gentle finger over the one pointed directly at me, I pet it. It’s such a gentle caress, assessing, getting to know it.

“So beautiful,” I compliment, curving my finger around the twists, acquainting myself with them. “Protecting my beautiful queen.” It comes out like a coo, and it has Vera turning to me. The person who talked at her for several minutes silently backs away, staring at the vines still poised in their direction.

“Thank you.” Those two simple words have me breaking into a grin. She seems so shy, but with how my bond with Raev went wild, I know she’s anything but when she’s comfortable.

“What for?”

“Treating them with kindness and not fear.” She bites her lip and moves her hands, twisting them as if she’s overstimulated.

“Fear? Whatever for?” It’s a near gasp, but I’m shocked that anyone could be afraid of pure beauty. They’re the embodiment of nature. Wild, free, and protective. “They’re gorgeous.” Her cheeks darken as bashfulness creeps forward once more. The urge to reach up and touch her is nearly too much to bear. “They protect you. To me, they’re perfect.”

“I’ve never had anyone other than Raev treat them like they’re not evil.” Shock must be written all over my face because she reaches out to a vine, and it weaves around her. Starting at her wrist, it twists and glides upward, almost snake-like in movement. “They hear, smell, and taste. Each one is a part of me, but they’re also feeling. If they hurt, I hurt.”

“Like Solera,” I whisper, touching my chest to rub the ache away, remembering their agony when someone attacks trees and plucks flowers.

Her eyebrows raise and she offers a nod. “How do—”

“I spent time in the plains of your realm, connecting with Her. I could... feel you,” I attempt to explain without sounding so enthralled. “It was like my veins connected to the roots beneath the ground, guiding me and connecting me to you.” Welp, failed at keeping cool.

There’s something in her expression that has me wanting to hold her. I want there to be comfort, to take her in my arms, hold her, love her in the way we both deserve.

“Fate,” she scoffs, not at or toward me. “I’ve never been one to believe in fate, Dulce.” Her voice is forlorn, full of need, the kind that is starved and stolen from each person who doesn’t get love properly. I know its appearance well.

No longer wanting to hold myself back, I reach forward, bringing my palm to her chest. It’s careful, not too pushy. The last thing I want is for her to run from me.

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