Page 90 of Wilds of Wonder
We both gave them strained smiles as they slowly faced forward once more.
“Why would you ever say no? You two are like a nerdy match made in paradise. You’re both obsessed with the most borings things. The other day, you debated if an old chipped cup was likely from the Hotoath or the Yaramo period.” He shuddered. “It was about as interesting as watching two turtles race.”
I pinned him with a look. “Are you done?”
“No, I actually have a lot to say on the topic. Is that foreplay for you both? Like do you get naked and talk history before going down on each other?”
I continued staring at him, and he zipped his lips. I blinked a few times.
“I have more to say, but I’ll be quiet now so you can talk.”
I didn’t want to get into the vision I’d seen in the lake. It was too painful to recount again. So I’d tell as much of the truth as I could.
“I spent seven years trapped in a life I didn’t want. My entire identity revolved around someone else. I can’t let that happen again.”
Driscoll wrinkled his nose. “Who says that’s going to happen again? You know not all men are sadistic, self-centered assholes, right? I mean, most are, to be fair.” He pointed at Maverick. “But that guy? He’s not one of them. He worships you.”
My stomach twisted at his words.
“Hot Professor has got it bad for you.”
The vision didn’t lie. That future I saw, it was so real. Everyone could say what they wanted, could deny that that’s how my life would turn out with Maverick, but I couldn’t shake the haunted look in Future Me’s eyes as she’d walked up those stairs while he was living out her dream. My dream.
“You can’t tell the future, Driscoll.” But the lake could. “You don’t know what’s going to happen to us. Maverick has always been wrapped up in his career. It’s the most important thing to him.”
“Well, until you came along,” Driscoll said.
“You don’t get to where he is by not being that passionate, that dedicated. I don’t blame him. I really don’t. I understand. I just can’t risk losing my identity again. Especially not when we have so much going on already.”
“I get it.” Driscoll laid a hand on my arm. “I can’t imagine what it would be like to be forced into doing anything. Especially marrying someone.”
I nudged him again. “That’s why it’s important that you live this life you have, Driscoll. Stop living through everyone else’s stories. It’s time to live your own.”
I glanced ahead at Aron, and Driscoll chewed on his bottom lip.
“We’ll see. I’m still not sure Hot Wolf Man can handle me.” His throat bobbed as one of the vines dipped down and wrapped around his arm. “Uh, what’s happening here?” he called ahead.
El turned and signed, her movements fast and jerky, like the vines taking notice of us was an imposition to her. She was definitely feisty, had hardened edges and tall walls I wasn’t sure anyone could break down. I supposed a place like this would do that to a person.
“The vines react to your fear,” Aron said. “Do not fear them, and they won’t harm you.”
“Oh, is that it?” Driscoll whimpered as the vine wrapped tighter around his arm, more vines taking notice and slinking down. One caressed his cheek.
Aron took a few steps toward us as more vines slithered around Driscoll’s body, tightening across his waist, his chest.
“If you’re afraid, there is another way to get the vines to release you.” Aron studied the slithering plants.
“What?” Driscoll asked, voice reaching a frantic pitch. “Magic? Fire? Frost? I can’t summon my earth magic without my hands.” He wiggled his fingers under the constriction of the vines.
“Not magic. If we attack, all the vines come down upon us. Just give them a secret. Each secret you give will make one vine return to its place.”
One of the vines wrapped around the back of Driscoll’s neck and rubbed behind his ear. His eyes widened. “Secrets? I don’t have any secrets.”
“Okay, don’t panic,” I said.
Maverick summoned a ball of fire, ready to launch it, but Aron held out a hand to stop him. “Everyone has secrets.”
“Not me.” He glanced around wildly. “I’m an open book. I tell everyone everything. That’s literally my entire personality.”
