Page 113 of Entranced By the Basilisks

Mrs. Rivera rolls her eyes. “Of course you would.”

“You should just get it over with and carve my heart out. I’m the reason Emilia is unhappy, and you’ve obviously come to enforce your threat.”

She scoffs. “My, my, you’re so dramatic.”

“I’ll have you remember, madam, that I’m several centuries older than you.”

“Does that mean you don’t want to be mothered?”

That question freezes the breath in my lungs, and I pull myself up in a sitting position

“Emilia and I were thrust into a world we don’t understand.” Mrs. Rivera’s lips thin before she continues. “I haven’t let it show, but it terrifies me. It was worse when I saw that same fear in my daughter’s eyes. But last night, when she cried in my arms because of what you’d done, she hadn’t been afraid. When I left her to come here, that fear didn’t creep in as if she expected the world outside of our apartment to gobble me up. You’ve given Emilia something along with the heartbreak. You’ve reminded her that she is strong. And at the same time, you’ve reminded me, too.”

She levels me with a look that I can hardly stand.

“I’d be honored if you mothered me,” I say.

Her hands are soft as she cups my cheeks. “You are not done yet. You’re on a journey with two other people who rely on you. You are not allowed to throw in the towel because of one speed bump. That’s the perspective of someone who doesn’t expect that the people they love are able to save them. A loner would assume that no one else could solve the problem, and wouldn’t trust anyone else to solve the problem. You want a family, but you must act like you’re a part of a family.”

The question that’s been plaguing me slips out. “What if I don’t know how anymore?”

“Then you let Emilia and Jasper teach you. It may take time for them to forgive you, but if they are the mates you know them to be, then you have to trust that they will come to that conclusion. You have to be ready for the moment that they do forgive you.”

I swallow and blink back the moisture in my eyes.

“And take a shower. You smell like a bar,” Mrs. Rivera snaps.

47

JASPER

I thinkAgnes is going to smash a book over my head. She’s considering it anyway. I know I’m being the worst, but the clawing thing where my heart should be won’t allow me to soften any, to apologize for being terrible and cold.

“Is that all, Director?” Agnes asks, her tone brittle with annoyance. Yes, a good whack with a dusty tome. The violence is in her eyes, and I don’t blame her one bit.

But this is the only place I feel in control.

“Yes, that’s everything.”

I’ve done everything I can for Emilia. I’ve communicated to her that she has an option for reverting to how she was. Her restoration projects are safely in her lab now. And when I really can’t help it… I text her small messages about future projects. I don’t believe she’d forget me, but I need her to know she’s on my mind in a way that won’t feel like pressuring her.

She needs time and Ari and I have to give it to her.

And Ari…

His broken expression when I’d packed her bags in front of him had been terrible. It had taken every ounce of discipline not to run back to him. To have him pull me into his arms… but that can’t happen yet.

I’m not angry with him, not really. What he did is in his nature. I’m upset with myself that I made Emilia feel like she could trust us only to be betrayed. I don’t deserve to go back to him and enjoy his presence. I can’t go back to him alone anyway. Our triad is in a precarious place. I won’t make Emilia feel unwelcome when she’s so upset.

She seems to be doing a little better, according to my father. He’s been keeping an eye on her, acting as a chauffeur and bodyguard for our peace of mind. I should tell him how grateful I am that he’s making sure she’s safe, but the words won’t come.

“Good,” Agnes says. She starts to turn before stilling, her face softening. “It’s good that Emilia is back too. I saw her earlier and I’m glad that whatever happened with her got sorted.”

“She’s back to work?” I ask.

“You didn’t know?”

“No.” I glance away. “I’m glad… Thank you.”

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