Page 72 of Possession

While I’ll be the first to admit that Henry has always been stunning, something actually pulls me to him now. I don’t even notice that I’ve taken steps toward him until I pick out the sparkle in his eyes and realize how much closer I’ve gotten

He’s so handsome that it feels wrong to even look at him, like I’m… tarnishing his beauty.

Henry reaches out to steady me—I hadn’t even noticed I’d started to shake—and I swear that his touch makes me tingle.

“Um, Henry,” I say as a greeting, then instantly shut my eyes, cringing. I’ve never been this awkward before.

A warm palm comes to rest on my cheek, and my eyes pop open in shock. Henry’s touching me! A quiet gasp slips through my lips, embarrassing, the shock from my good fortune made audible.

His smile widens, now showing teeth as he rubs his thumb over my jawline. “Mary,” he says again.

I know that I’m supposed to ask him something. We’re supposed to be talking about… something, but I can’t get over the fact that he’s looking at me, touching me, and seems genuinely pleased. Maybe even amused? Can awkward antics be endearing?

“Hi.” I pause, meet his gaze, then look away. “Sorry. Did I already say that?”

“You didn’t.” His tone is warm.

Suddenly recalling our audience, I take a step back, almost flinching at the loss of contact. Henry keeps his hand raised longer than needed, as if also mourning the absence. It makes me want to run right back to him, so I look at Ryan, reminding myself why distance is necessary.

I rub at my temples to regain some sense, but where I was panicked before, glee is now overwhelming me. It really isn’t helping me regulate my breathing.

“I’m sorry that I wasn’t there when you woke up,” he tells me diplomatically. “You were supposed to be sleeping for a bit longer. You’re probably feeling weak, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” I glance at Henry, staring at his nose instead of his eyes. It’s easier to focus that way. “Will it go away?”

Henry nods, still smiling. He’s never smiled this much before, but, then again, he just vanquished the mage’s worst enemy. It makes sense to pat himself on the back. But speaking of…

“Where is Aris?”

“Secure. He won’t be getting into trouble,” Henry assures me.

I gnaw on my bottom lip. That makes it sound like he’s locked away, but why would Aris agree to that?

“Well, can I see him… or talk to him?”

“I would’ve thought you’d want some distance,” he says, tone playful, and my good humor fades. Why is no one telling me anything? Why are there bags packed for me? Where is Aris?

I take a few steps away, mindful not to crash into Ryan as I gesture at the duffels. “What’s this?” I ask.

“Ah, well, I figured you wouldn’t want to stay here anymore.”

“You’ve been assuming a lot,” I sharply, then pause at the look on his face. He seems wounded, like I’ve hurt his feelings. Am I being harsh?

I raise a hand to the side of my head, massaging my temples again. A headache is coming on—I definitely woke too early. Taking a breath, I try again. “You’re kicking me out?” I was attempting a kinder tone, but my voice is still decidedly bitter.

Henry’s brow furrows, and he reaches for me, smile finally faltering when I take another step back. “There’s no need to stay here anymore.”

“But you can’t just expect me to fend for myself! Where am I supposed to go?”

“Mary, we’re leaving together.” He hesitates to study me, puzzled. “Did you think I would toss you out?”

Together?

“I—” I didn’t know what I thought, and now I feel beyond stupid, but what did he expect? I shake my head, annoyed that I don’t understand the situation, that decisions are still being made without my consult. “But where are we going? What did you mean that there’s no need to hide?”

He says, “We’ll go back to the mages.”

I watch him out of the corner of my eyes, waiting for him to betray the joke, but his face is dead serious. “What do you mean?” I ask. “You said you left them because of how they treated me.”

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