Page 31 of Whisper Woods

I don’t one hundred percent understand how the whole scheme thing worked, but Idounderstand the guy deserves to be dead for everything he put Theo through. I don’t like thinking like that, but sometimes it’s the truth.

“Not on your life, witch. We just narrowly missed one apocalypse, we’re not risking another.”

I tune in again just in time to catch Tarook’s dire warning in response to Edith’s request for a book they retrieved from Darius’s belongings. I stare at him for a moment, that uncomfortable, disconnected anxiety making my fingers tingle. “You’re messing around right?”

Tarook winks—winks!—with a smile. “Am I? Fortunately, he did not seem to possess the skill or wit to realise what power he really had with that book.”

Fucking mages and their mystery. I try to keep my fidgeting to a minimum considering we’re all packed in around the table, but I can’t stop my foot from bouncing. So I lift my cap and run my fingers through my hair just for something to do with my hands.

The conversation moves on again when Seldon asks about the powers Theo displayed on the cliff. Whichwaskind of phenomenal considering he lost his fae magic and gifts at the hands of Marieth a few months ago.

“Actually, I do. I told you the garden was good for you, Theo.” Another mage, Alain, answers this time, and then explains how by connecting with the earth, and thereby the Woods, Theo managed to connect to the magic of the Whisper Woods.

I’m just a simple guy who lifts heavy things for a living. Honestly, the conversation kinda flies by me, but I get the gist.

The short story is that Whisper Woods blessed Theo with gifts. Apparently, he cantalk to creatures now. What the fuck?

The conversation gets derailed, though, when everyone’s attention moves tothe stairs behind me. I feel the prickle of awareness in the base of my neck, just as Theo’s eyes light up with excitement, and Seldon’s eyes snap to me, wide as saucers, his mouth hanging open in a ridiculous smile.

Well shit.

I turn on my bench, elbowing Seldon as I do. My breath catches when I see Rafe standing there, projecting an unwavering sense of confidence under the scrutiny of the jokers I sometimes call my friends.

He must have stolen all of my chill because I can’t control the blush that creeps up my neck, burning my cheeks.

“Who is that?” Edith coos, waving her fingers in his direction. Rafe is utterly unflappable, inclining his head in her direction but keeping his gaze entirely focused on me. It’s almost too much attention. My stomach rolls and dips like I’m on a ship in a storm. Only my connection to Rafe keeps me from keeling over.

“I know you!” Theo’s excitement gets the better of him, and he launches himself from his seat. “You’re the guy from the club!” He bounces excitedly on his toes and grabs Roan’s shoulder, giving the exasperated man a shake.

Gods, kill me now. Seldon smacks the table and yells too. “Yes! Oh my Gods. What ishedoing here?” He looks directly at me. They arealllooking at me.

“Wasn’t he here for the search yesterday, too?” Mauvy adds absently, pulling the elastic off one of her braids to quickly re-plait it. I groan with an exaggerated sob, tipping my head to blink at the ceiling, when Theo, Edith, and Seldon gasp audibly.

“Was hereally?” Theo looks far too satisfied as we all watch Rafe walk across the tavern to us. And why wouldn’t we? There is something about the way that he moves, something so graceful, yet lethal. It’s hot as fuck.

Okay, so noteveryoneis drooling into their morning coffee like I am. Tor looks irritated at the interruption, and so does Caelan. But that could just be the bonded mate connection or whatever, feeling each other's emotions. Roan kind of looks like he’s one minor irritation away from fully berserker-beasting out. Tarook and the other mages look, well, intrigued? But they are an odd lot. I’ve never been able to figure them out.

Fuck. He’s directly in front of me now. I gulp a too-big breath and look up to meet his eyes. The position reminds me of too many fantasies and heat flushes through me, making me embarrassingly hard in such close proximity to my friends. His nostrils flare and his scarred eyebrow quirks and then he smirks like he knows too. But then his eyes leave me and I feel like I’m adrift in the ocean. Cold and alone. I shudder and turn back to the table, Seldon giving me a funny little look as I do.

“Hello,” Rafe’s honey voice anchors me again. “Yes, that was me at Slash. When Seff got the news yesterday, I drove him here. Naturally, I stayed to assist as I could. I’m glad to see you are safe and well.” His hand rests on my shoulder and roughly half a dozen pairs of eyes spot the move. It’s so…proprietary. My back straightens ever so slightly, so I can lean back into his thighs.

“Yeah, well, it wasn't exactly my first time being kidnapped and almost murdered. You could say I’m an old hand at it by now.” Apparently, Theo is at the ‘joking about it’ stage of his recovery. The rest of us? Not so much. My stomach clenches with anxiety, but poor Tor and Roan, the pair of them pale, looking visibly ill at the reminder.

“Ah, yes, well, everyone has to have their hobbies. Though I can see your loved ones here would probably prefer you give this one a rest.” Rafe’s hand rubs my shoulder gently, easing the horrible churning feeling in my stomach while he teases Theo into a smile.

“Yeah,” Theo turns to Roan, his sharp cheekbones softening with the sappy look on his face. “Should probably retire for a bit. Anyway, what was your name again? Seff forgot to introduce us.”

I remember when Theo was a shy and scared little thing, not anymore. Roan has his hands full with that one. Thankfully, he loves it. Still, I flip him off and pull a face and he responds in kind.

“I am Rafe Miyares.” Theo takes a quick moment to introduce everyone, like I probably should have. Guilt creeps in at my mistake, gnawing at me, but just as the feeling gets too big, Rafe squeezes my shoulder. Not really hard enough to hurt, but enough to distract me. And then he’s back to rubbing my shoulder with his thumb and the feeling chills out.

The whole thing is kind of unsettling. It’s just so… easy.

“A pleasure to meet you all.” My body snaps to attention again when he speaks. “I am sorry for interrupting. I just needed to give Seff his phone. There were many notifications. It seemed important.” My phone appears in front of me and my cheeks are blazing with heat when I snatch it up and put it face down on the tabletop.

“Thanks.” I’m sorry, is thatmyvoice all soft and simpering? It must be because when I look up at Rafe he has a funny little smile on his face and Seldon is digging his bony elbow into me again.

“Not a problem. I’ll see you when you’re done.” Again I feel that unpleasant little ache the second his eyes are off me. He looks to Mauvy and Roan. “If I can speak to you about a room, I’d appreciate it.”

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