Page 13 of Oleander
Skyler.
“Hey. Psst. Oleander.”
I hear the words, but my mind is caught in that blissfully warm state before actual sleep.
“Hmm?” I murmur.
“O, it’s Sky.” A firm hand squeezes my shoulder, causing my eyes to pop open in alarm.
I take a deep breath, trying to slow my racing heart once I realize I have a shirt on and Skyler isn’t touching my bare skin.He’s fine. My magic isn’t active anyway.
“O?” I repeat the nickname back to him like it’s a question and not the first letter of my name.
“Yeah. That cool?” he asks in that casual, human way of his.
My tongue gets stuck to the roof of my mouth as my eyes zero in on the towel wrapped around his slim waist before traveling up his glistening torso. I nod, incapable of speech at the moment. Skyler’s abs are defined, and his chest is smooth, firm, andsexy. A unique pendant rests between his pecs with a black crystal in the center. Tourmaline, if I had to guess, although my Earth magic is rooted in plants, not gemstones. I’m intrigued, effectively distracting me from his ridiculously sculpted body.
When my gaze finally meets Skyler’s cocky stare, my breath hitches. “Y-you clean up nice.” I stumble over the words, wishing I never even said them in the first place.
His smile ticks up on one side, revealing a single dimple I didn’t notice earlier with all the dirt covering his face. Skyler’s dark hair is wet and slicked back, showing off his adorable ears adorned with little diamond studs.
He looks good.
“Thanks, O,” he says, revealing a larger-than-life smile. “So, can I call you that? Oleander is cool and all, but dude, it’s a mouthful.” Skyler bites his lip after he says the wordmouthful.
Sexuality is considered fluid in Faerie, and I’ve always been more attracted to males. His smile is infectious, and I wonder if he could be exactly the person I need to practice my control.
“If you want. I like it,” I whisper, ducking my head and giving him a small smile of my own. “But Ander works too.”
“Got it. Can I ask another favor, Ander?”
I nod, my eyes tracing the grooves of his obliques all on their own.
“I thought my dorm room might have come stocked with clothes, considering I have none, but unfortunately, I only have towels and sheets. Is there any way I could borrow something to wear? Otherwise, I’ll be at risk of showing my ass in this towel all night.”
I laugh freely, and it feels good. It’s been a while. I stroll over to my luggage, ready to give him whatever he needs and more. “Of course. I think we’re nearly the same size. My shirts might be a little tight on your shoulders.” I open the compartment in my suitcase where I know I packed plain black T-shirts, joggers, and socks. I grab a few of each and hand them over.
When he reaches out and takes the stack of clothes, my gaze catches on the iron shackles, and my smile instantly drops.
Skyler, who seems to be quite perceptive, easily notices. “It’s okay. I mean, it sucks, but I get it. Although, I’d love a chance to prove myself.”
“I understand. More than you know,” I reveal without thinking.
“You wore them too.” It’s not a question; he can see it in my eyes.
There’s no point in denying it, so I nod. “There was an incident when I was fourteen, and I was forced to wear the cuffsfor nearly a year. I couldn’t take it anymore, so I snuck out and cut them off myself.”
“Damn. That’s barbaric. My skin is burning after just a week.”
“It hurts?” I ask with a hint of concern in my tone, trying to get a read on his aura.
I hate this for him.
He shrugs it off. “They’re more irritating so far. Itchy. It’s only been a week, and I don’t want my skin rubbed raw.”
I nod solemnly. No, he does not. Even with Fae’s healing abilities and a special cream made by my mother, I still have faint scarring on my wrists from the iron cuffs. And from my poor skill with the hand saw, too. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. Especially someone as pure as Skyler.
“Let me get you a hoodie, too. I know I have a new one in here somewhere.” I start digging through my suitcase, looking for the plain black sweatshirt I bought for jogging in the early morning when it’s cooler. I can get another, no problem. Skyler needs it more. I hold it out to him in offering. “Hide your ears and your cuffs. Tell no one.” My voice is serious, giving no room for argument. I honestly have no idea what everyone will think. None of us have ever known a human. They simply don’t live in Faerie.
