Page 94 of Oleander
A vengeful smile takes over my lips, and Hawk starts to skate away in panic, but he doesn’t get far.I’m fast.I recklessly body-check him over the dasher board, and he lands with a heavy thump on the other side.
He pops up in no time, fury shining in his eyes, but neither of us can afford to have our magic come to the surface right now.
“An eye for an eye where I come from, Hawk. Just remember that, yeah?” I tell him seriously.
His stare intensifies, his eyes thinning into golden slits.
“Alright. Alright.Enough you two.Goddess.Could you act like adults, please?” Zeph scolds us both.
“He started it,” I say, just to annoy them, and it works because now Zephyr’s eyes have turned to slits.And they’re aimed at me.
Gaia and Nerine come hustling over. “Oh, stop it, all of you!” she shouts in frustration. “Males,” she exclaims in exasperation, shaking her head like she’s completely fed up with all of us. “This is precisely why Ionlylike females. Do you all want to go back to Auroria in iron shackles? Skyler, that would be what? Number three for you?Goddess!It’s ridiculous.”
“She has a point. Let’s just go get that hot cocoa and take a breather,” Oleander adds quietly, having jogged over after the commotion.
He grabs my wrist, and we disappear around a corner. I plop down and unlace the skates, fuming at how Hawk always has to start shit, claiming it’s just a joke or no big deal. Case in point, convincing me to sign up for the Hunt.
“Here, give me those. I'll get your shoes,” Ander says sweetly since he can see me seething. He returns shortly later with my boots, and then we’re off to our own private, heated igloo with snacks and hot cocoa.
“Oh my, this is adorable,” Oleander whispers when he sees the small, clear dome that will act as our shelter for the evening.
We crawl inside and take our seats on the blankets and pillows, enjoying the view of the Arch in our little heated bubble. I open a thermos and pour us each a mug of hot chocolate, grabbing an oatmeal cookie to go with it.
“It’s so beautiful here,” Oleander says. “Magical even without magic. Thank you for sharing a part of the human world with me. With all of us.”
I lean forward and kiss him softly. We’re in a clear bubble, so we can’t get carried away, but I’m happy he’s here, and I’mso content right now, regardless of the bullshit with Hawk. I think I may just have to accept that’s the kind of friend Hawk is. The kind you’re constantly in competition with or butting heads with. He’s a firestorm, just like his power. Good luck to whoever he falls for; they’re going to have their hands full, that’s for sure.
I shake thoughts of Hawk out of my head and focus on my boyfriend and the warmth of our cozy igloo. I finish my cookie and pull the blanket all the way up to our necks for some semblance of privacy. We lay back, staring up at the night sky. The city is too bright around us to see any stars, but it’s beautiful and peaceful nonetheless. I let my hand explore his body underneath the blanket, but we don’t get too carried away. A few soft kisses later, and we’re spooning comfortably, but I think I’m ready to get home and get to bed. Scott and my mom’s house is large enough that Oleander and I were able to score our own bedroom.
A dark shadow near our igloo has my heart rate spiking up a notch, and I sit up abruptly, as does Ander. It seems to just hover, and then I see a flash of red.
Hawk.
“Just come in, dude!” I shout, and he unzips the igloo, stepping inside the warmth of our private bubble. “What can I do for you?” I ask, sounding annoyed to my own ears.
I’m not apologizing first.
His eye ticks, but he raises his chin and takes a breath as if this is hard for him. As if someone is making him do this. And my bet is on Zephyr. “I’m sorry for shoulder-checking Oleander and knocking you both to the ice. It was only a joke, but if it hurt you, I do apologize.”
I glance at Ander since he’s the one who’ll probably have a bruise or two.
“Thanks. No harm, no foul.” Oleander grimaces at his own words as if they leave a bad taste in his mouth.
“Okay. Thanks.” Hawk runs an awkward hand through his vibrant red hair. “So we’re cool?”
“Yeah. We’re cool. No grudges.”
He bows extravagantly. “Well, enjoy your evening, my kings. And remember, these walls are see-through, so don’t get too frisky.” Hawk winks, and I roll my eyes as he zips us back up and walks away chuckling.
I grab another cookie, this one decorated like a gingerbread man, and indulge myself before snuggling back under the blanket with my boyfriend. A full belly and the comforting warmth of the man I love lull me into an unexpected dreamland.
Suddenly, the sound of a loud zipper pulls me from the edge of sleep. I pop my head up, disoriented for a moment as I stare at the entrance of the igloo, squinting as my eyes attempt to focus. “Go away, Hawk. I said we’re cool,” I mumble.
“Knock, knock. It’s Leo,” a quiet, sweet voice says instead.
“Oh, shit. Come in. Sorry, Leo.”
“Looks like you two fell asleep.” His smile is kind, with no judgment in sight. He has a plum beanie on to match the deepest gemstones around his eyes. His dark gray pea coat is tailored to perfection, the lilac scarf around his neck accentuating everything.
