Page 90 of King of the Unsightly

The shirt fit like a crop top, and the baggy cargo pants rested right below my hips. I felt like I was thrown into the early 2000s with this fashion disaster.

I didn’t give myself another glance as I stepped out of the bathroom. Steam followed me out as I saw Gren still sitting at the table with his arms crossed, gazing at the slightly closed blinds.

For a second, I could have sworn his eye flickered a deep gold when the light hit it, but it vanished just as quickly and went back to its dark hue.

Gren’s eye fell on me, and his unreadable expression clouded with so many emotions, unlike his typical vacant look.

It left me feeling skeptical of what truly went through his mind.

“Do you feel better?” Gren asked.

His tanned complexion was a contrast against the cream walls. He stood out even more with his sharp features and toned arms. By society’s standards, he looked like a painting come to life with his slender build and striking jawline, and the scar down his left eyelid trailing all the way to his jaw.

It was still weird to see Gren like this. It made me miss when he gave me reassuring pats on the back as a somewhat cute bird. Like an emotional support animal, but now I wouldn’t dare call him that.

“A bit.” I walked over to the table. “But it’s time. No excuses.” I leaned down, smacked one hand on the table in front of Gren, and gave him my best I-mean-business face. “And I won’t take no for an answer.”

Did I have to be this straightforward and aggressive? Did crows have some weird power dynamic where I had to assert my dominance before I got my way? Gren always disappeared, and I couldn’t let him weasel his way out of teaching me.

Gren looked at me with a hint of amusement; his upper lip moved, and it made him look dark and suggestive.

No, I had to be imagining things.

Was this the first time I witnessed Gren genuinely smile?

Gren stood up and he skimmed me over.

His voice felt deep and earnest as he spoke. “Okay, but it’s going to hurt like the first time.”

“What?”

Gren smirked, and I looked away to regain my thoughts.

“Place your hands on mine.” Gren reached out, his palms facing up. I did exactly as he asked, and he continued. “Now, breathe in and out, and try to imagine yourself pushing the energy through your chest to your fingertips.”

I eyed him with suspicion but listened and inhaled and exhaled slowly.

But no energy flowed through me. The only thing within my chest was a gnawing pain.

I jerked my hands away. “This weird breathing exercise isn’t working.” I crossed my arms like a child. I felt ridiculous, but I didn’t have the luxury of time to be bad at this.

I uncrossed my arms and loosened the tension in my body, shaking my hands.

Gren ran his fingers through his ebony hair and let out a dry laugh. “Trust me, okay? Try it again.” He kept his hands in place, waiting for me to reach out. “You know, your mother was from a coven that didn’t need to use their grimoires to cast magic, and you clearly have the same talent. So, humor me, and try it again.”

It’s like Gren knew my weakness.

When he talked about my mother, as much as I resented her ... I craved to know more.Who was she? What was she like?Even if she stole all my memories. I had a familiar ache I couldn’t free myself of.

“I’m just impatient. So, don’t worry. I’ll keep trying even if my eyes bleed again.”

“No, we can’t have you exhausted before the gathering. I’m going to grab us some more food.”

“Can you get some ice cream? Rocky road?”

I had been craving ice cream all damn week, and by god I was going to eat my comfort food before I had to throw myself in further danger.

Gren chuckled, low and pleasing against my ears. “Sure thing. I’ll be right back.”

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