Page 5 of I Was Always Yours (RCA: Royal Crown Academy)

“Then I get to hold on to it. I’m ten, it’s a big birthday.”

“What do you mean?”

“Since you can’t give me a present today, I can ask for one thing from you whenever I see something I want, and you have to give it to me.”

I wish I could have phrased it as a suggestion, but it comes out as a demand. She doesn’t fight me though.

I guess she really is a good girl.

The line of her brows smooths out as she nods, a small smiling returning to grace her lips. “That’s fair.”

“Phoenix! What are you doing?”

I turn and see Rhys and Rogue, my two best friends, running down the field towards us.

“Your mum sent us to come get you for candles.” Rhys says as they come level with us.

“And who’s this?” Rogue asks, quirking an interested brow in her direction.

“Nobody.” I answer hurriedly. I don’t want either of my friends to notice her like I have. Not when there’s already Astor in the mix.

Not for the first time since I laid eyes on her a half hour ago, I find myself wishing that I’d met her before him.

A shadow passes over her face, but it’s gone before I can interpret what it means.

“I’m Sixtine, I’m a friend of Astor’s.” She says, introducing herself and simultaneously delivering another blow to my gut.

“I’m Rogue, he’s Rhys.” Rogue says, tipping his chin in the latter’s direction.

He waves and gives her a goofy grin before turning towards me. “We have to go before Astor blows out all the candles without you.”

I’m loath to leave this moment behind. Our bubble burst the moment my friends joined us so there’s no way to go back, and yet all I can focus on is the way she gazes into my eyes as if it’s still just the two of us alone in this field.

I tear my gaze away from her with some difficulty and nod at Rhys.

“Alright.”

The four of us traipse back up the field to the more contained part of our backyard where the birthday party is being held. It’s every kid’s dream, with a petting zoo section, bouncy castles, candy floss, face painting, and loads of other activities.

In short, it’s a party catered to what Astor wants and loves.

I’d felt uncomfortable in my skin from second zero and had been itching to get away when my eyes had caught sight of her hair.

We head towards the table where the cakes are laid out and I’m about to say something to Sixtine when I see Astor break off from his group of friends and head towards us — head towardsher— with a giant smile on his face.

“Where have you been, ladybug?” He asks, draping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her into a hug.

I thought I’d experienced jealousy where Astor was concerned. In fact, I’d have said that jealousy was the underlying emotion at the center of our relationship.

I’d spent my entire life up to this point toiling in his shadow, so no matter how close we also happened to be there was always that undercurrent of tension between us.

But those feelings pale in comparison to the emotion that explodes in my chest as I hear him call her that and as I then watch him fold her into a tight embrace.

I’ve never felt anything quite as strongly in my life and I’m not equipped to process it well. The power of it rocks me to my core and seeps into my bloodstream like a poison.

Thankfully, he releases her almost immediately and hugs me next, putting an end to my plans to break his arm.

He guides me away from the other three and towards where the candles are being lit.

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