Page 47 of Of Withering Dreams
“Yep.” I laughed, kissing his cheek and jaw. Lettie’s big eyes widened, and she smirked, her shoulders dancing up and down. Shrugging, I blushed as I savored a particularly juicy peach.
Lately, everyone was aware or suspected that Kaden and I were more than friends. I sighed, knowing that I might as well get used to it. I was tired of denying it anyway.
“Come here, you little humming peach monster.” Kaden wrapped his arm around my shoulders, squeezing me into his side.
I nestled there, basking in his warmth, smiling when I realized I’d been humming again. Well, peaches were my favorite.
Letti reached for my hand across the table. “Join me in the library?”
“Sure, let’s go. I’m sure Mr. Burlam would love to see me on my day off.” I chuckled, wiping my fingers on a cloth napkin.
As we headed to the library, the palace was quiet this morning. Most people were probably sleeping in if they could or wandering the grounds.
“So, you and Kaden. Hate to say I told you so, but?—”
I interrupted, “You and Xeni, huh?”
“That’s old news, but yeah. She’s pretty amazing.” Letti was beaming, her hazel eyes lighting up with flecks of sparkling gold.
“I’m happy for you, sis. Xeni is wonderful. I like how she watches out for you.” I gave her a side hug. “And yes, Kaden and I are … having fun,” I muttered, heat prickling up my neck. Thoughts of this morning prodded my mind.
Letti giggled, “I bet. Twenty-one turns is a long time to wait.”
“Oh, hush. I didn’t always think of him this way.”
“That doesn’t mean he didn’t,” she stated, raising her brows and pinching her lips together.
As we walked in silence, the weight of her comment pressed into me, my spine stiffening. Glimpses of moments spun through me. Lingering looks. Touches. How Kaden had always been within reach. Was I that clueless? If he had wanted more than friendship for—however long—was it selfish of me to be with him now? We were both consenting adults …
I wasn’t entirely sure of what I felt. Of course, I loved him. I’d always loved him because he was my best friend. My rock. I was terrified of losing my heart to him in an entirely different way. In a way that caused me to lose my footing. That shook my entire world.
But then again, we’d forget all this when the Dormancy was over.
I chewed the inside of my cheek, confusion and anxiety washing over me. If I let myself fall down that endless, coiling hole, I feared I’d lose my mind without ever recovering it.
My cheeks puffed as I blew air out. I muttered, “Maybe. Am I that oblivious?”
“Yeah. You are.” She laughed. “A couple of summers ago, I thought something was going on with you and Gav. Kaden was so moody then.”
“What?” I squeaked, distracted from my spiraling worries. “Bollocks. I’ve never had anything more with Gavrel. He’s like our big brother.”
She smirked, holding up her hands. “Well, he’snotour brother. And he’s ridiculously good-looking.” Her fingers tickled my side, and I squealed, swatting her as I ran ahead.
Our laughter immediately hushed as we stepped into the library. Mr. Burlam was at his desk, one bushy eyebrow raised as we passed him. “Can’t stay away, I see,” he grumbled.
“Never, Mr. Burlam. I’d miss you too much,” I chirped, grinning brightly. His head swung from side to side in disbelief, papery cheeks turning a pallid shade of pink as he shuffled papers on his desk.
We made our way to the back of the library, collecting a few books and settling at my favorite table tucked near the curling staircases.
“Aren’t you afraid?” I asked, pausing mid-sentence in the book I was reading.
Letti’s eyes found mine. “Hmmm?”
“Of getting close to someone when you’re going to forget your time here.”
She shrugged. “A bit. But thisisour life. Half in. Half out. I don’t want to let fear stop me from living any part of it. Stop me from experiencing joy when I can. If this is all a dream, we might as well enjoy it.”
My lips curled. “How’d you get so wise?”
