Page 80 of Red Fire

The back garden is possibly prettier than the front. There’s a beautiful lawn and a big oak tree on one side. Just off the deck are large flower beds overflowing with beautiful blooms and vibrant colors. It’s peaceful. I could live here. I mean, if it wasn’t Mistveil, I could see myself in a house like this so easily.

I push my plate away and groan, so stuffed that the sofa is calling me. I head back inside. There is a new season ofBridgertonI’ve been dying to watch. I hope they have cable out here.

I look at my dirty dishes in the sink and sigh. Then I get to work cleaning the kitchen. I’ve only just loaded up the dishwasher and am preparing to wipe down the counter when there is a knock at the door.

A knock.

Why is someone knocking?

Did Creed forget the keys?

Who could it be? Does someone know that Creed is home? It could be that.

I consider ignoring it when they knock again.

I wipe my hands and then walk to the front door, catching my reflection in the big mirror in the hallway.

“Crap!” I mutter to myself when I see that I have a yellow smear of egg yolk on the front of Creed’s black shirt. It’s official, I’m a pig.

Also, it’s easy to see that I’m not wearing a bra, something that can’t be helped. The sweatpants are laughable; they’re so extra-sized on me. I run my hands over my hair, which has dried a little frizzy. It doesn’t like the humidity on the island.

Oh, well. It’ll have to do. I’m sure it’s just a delivery or a—

I open the door, and I know it’s her the moment I see her. I just know. She’s taller than me. Her hair is long and thick and very blonde. For whatever reason, I never pictured her as a blonde. I don’t know why. It’s silly.

Her huge smile falters when she sees me. Her eyes narrow in confusion and then she smiles again. Her face is devoid of makeup but perfect, nonetheless. Her eyes are a bright blue. Like a winter sky.

“You must be Aspen,” I blurt. She’s ravishing. I’m not even sure where the description comes from, only that it is fitting. I can see how she and Creed must have made the perfect couple. She suits him. He suits her. They suit each other.

Perfect.

“I’m sorry. I thought…I… Sorry, um, who are you?” She cocks her head, looking at me with confusion. “I heard that there was a human staying on the island.” Then she gasps. “She came back with one of the jungle males. That must be you. And—” She gasps again. “Is he…? Is Creed back, too?” She covers her mouth. “I thought so when I couldn’t find the key and had to knock.” She points up at the beam where Creed found it just yesterday. “When I heard noises coming from inside. But I was sure it was Pearl…his mother. Or…” She waves a hand. “It doesn’t matter. Is he here? Creed.” She raises her voice, calling him as she looks over my shoulder. “Creed!”

I nod. “Yes, he’s back, but he’s not here right now. He helped me escape the jungle and um…yeah...”

“I heard all about it; you crashed your helicopter. It was all over the news.” She clutches her chest. “They sent teams out to search for you, but there wasn’t much hope until they did find you and brought you back unharmed.”

I nod while she talks. “If it weren’t for Creed, I would never have made it out alive. He helped me and protected me.”

“That sounds like my Creed.” She gets this look.

My.

My Creed.

I force down the now-familiar feeling of jealousy.

I have no right. I have no right.

“Once we got back, he graciously let me stay at his house.” I look back over my shoulder for a second before looking back into her beautiful eyes. I always envied girls with blue eyes. I always hated the gray in mine. I thought it muted them…I still do. She blinks a few times, and I realize that Aspen is waiting for me to say something more.

What the hell do I do? What do I say?

I frown. “Forgive me for asking, but why are you here? It doesn’t sound like you knew he was home.”

“I didn’t.” She shakes her head. “I come every Tuesday morning to clean his house.”

“So, it was you. He thought it might have been his mother.” I swallow. “He told me about you. Shit! Where are my manners? I’m Octavia. I’m…um…Creed’s friend. I leave in a few days. I’m going back to the Mainland. My whole life is there…you know?” I don’t know why I felt the need to say all of that. “Sorry, I’m a little nervous. I’m shocked to see you. Creed told me you’d be mated by now…in one of those circle bond thingies. He was sure you’d have a couple of kids.”

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