Page 96 of Beasts of Briar
I looked away.
“Oh, that means it was really good.” Driscoll leaned forward. “Kairoth has been gone for two weeks. That means you’ve been holding out on us for a long time.” He straightened. “I’m disappointed in you.”
“Will you leave her alone?” Leoni reached over me and swatted him. “You need your wolf man back so you can focus on yourself again and not everyone else.”
Driscoll scoffed. “He’s not my wolf man. We’ve been over this.”
“Right because you have commitment issues.” Leoni grabbed a spare cloth and wiped the remaining salve off her hands.
“Excuse you. We are talking about Bellamy and her shadow daddy right now. Do you love him?” Driscoll asked.
I reeled back.“No,”I signed quickly.“I like him. He makes me feel good, and he makes me feel... less alone. But love? That’s ridiculous. I’ve only known him a few months.”
“Oh, that’s nothing,” Driscoll said. “We know some couples who have fallen in love in a few weeks.”
“Still a no,”I signed.
“You had sexual relations with an actual god.” Driscoll sat back, stunned. “It’s unreal. I mean, what if he asked you to marry him or something? Do gods get married?”
“Driscoll, that’s none of your business,” Leoni said.
“Things are too complicated.”His questions were frazzling my nerves. I hadn’t thought about any of this.“I have to save my brothers. Kairoth has to save the world. We don’t have time for a relationship or falling in love.”
Besides, I didn’t want to fall in love, not when love had been the cause of so much heartache in my life. Love was why I was here, doing this. I couldn’t lose someone else I loved.
“I think it’s the perfect time to fall in love.” Driscoll shrugged. “Everyone deserves love, even if it’s not the right time or things are complicated or the world is ending. No time is ever perfect.”
Leoni had picked up a book and was reading again. “Oh look, pot calling kettle black.”
“I’m not talking about me and Aron.” He crossed his arms, and I hid a smile behind my hand.
I couldn’t help it. These two were some of the most ridiculous people I’d ever met, and that was saying a lot since I’d literally grown up in a place like the Wilds.
The throbbing had dulled to an ache in my hands. The salve was finally taking effect.
“I’m just saying,” Driscoll said. “If you have an opportunity for love, you should let it in.” Leoni broke out in a coughing fit, and Driscoll stood. “I’m not talking about me!” He shook his head. “You know, you’ve totally ruined this gossip session, and it’s possibly the biggest piece of gossip I’ve had in months. So congratulations.”
With that, he stalked off toward the castle.
“Is he going to be okay?”I signed.
“He’ll be fine,” Leoni said. “He likes Aron, but he’s afraid to admit it. He’ll get there.” She tilted her head. “I think.” She studied me. “You’ll get there too.” Then she went back to reading her book like she hadn’t just said that.
I’d never thought Driscoll and I had any similarities, but after talking with him and Leoni, I was starting to think we had more in common than I realized.
Chapter Fifty-Four
BELLAMY
Idecided to visit Soloman tonight. I hadn’t seen him in a few days and wanted to check on him. I kept the setting of his dream where he seemed most comfortable—by the pond in the jungle near Kairoth’s castle.
He sat on edge of the pond, dipping his toes in, pants rolled up to his calves and arms wound around his legs. Moonlight bounced off the water, giving it an ethereal glow.
I sat next to him and nudged him with my shoulder. “Hey,” I said softly. “I’ve got five sweaters knitted now. I’m so close, Soloman.”
He stared out at the pond. “Good,” he said, voice monotone. “That’s good, Bell.”
My stomach dropped. “What’s wrong?”
