Page 90 of Fate and Flame
“What happened?” I asked, pulling her away to examine her. “You look . . . different.”
“Mother . . .” Her voice broke. “It’s just . . . It’s a long story. It’s so good to see you.”
“I’m so sorry, Nadra. But you made it and you’re here with Temir?”
“My mate.” She smiled behind her tears.
I pulled her into a hug. She was the only reminder I had of my former life and I never thought I’d be so happy to see her. “You can shop my closet later if you want to,” I whispered into her ear.
She giggled and hugged me tighter and then began sobbing and I just stood there holding her until she could compose herself. “Wren and I are going shopping for the refugee compound. Do you want to come?”
I pulled away. “Absolutely not. Still not a shopper.”
She sniffled and smiled.“It’s so good to see you. I’ve been so worried about you.” Her eyes flashed to Fen and I caught the subtle shake of his head. He wasn’t telling me something.
Haven’t had time, that’s all. We will talk about it later.
“You’re staying here now. I’ll see you for dinner, I promise.”
“We better get going,” Wren said from behind us. “If we’re late to Deci’s, he will sell our flour.”
Nadra pulled me into another hug and then she and Wren were gone.
I rounded on Fen. “Keeping secrets?”
“No. It’s just something we should talk about with just the four of us. I’ve got to stop into the study and then we can go down to the lists.”I eyed him carefully, but his relaxed posture and steady eyes gave nothing away.“After you.” We walked silently side by side. He held the study door open for me. I narrowed my eyes but stepped inside anyway. He didn’t follow. Instead, he slammed the door shut and held it with his wind magic as I beat on it with the flat of my hand.
“What the hell, Fen?” I yelled. “I have magic too. I could shred this door right now.”A throat was cleared behind me. I hadn’t even looked to see if someone else was in the room. I pivoted furiously, and as soon as I saw Greeve, I turned and continued to beat on the door.“I’m going to kick your ass, Fenlas. Open this gods-damn door right now.”
“Family fights, but they also forgive,” he said like some fucking children’s book.
You’re cut off,I fumed.
As if you could resist me.
I spun to Greeve. “Was this your idea? Because you’ve been a real asshole lately and I’m not going to apologize for what I said.”
“I’m not asking for an apology.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “But you could at least sit down like an adult and talk to me.”
“You can’t tell me what to do,” I argued, jamming my hands into my pockets.
Like adults,Fen reiterated.
“Stop listening behind the door!” I yelled.
“Look, I just wanted to say that you were right.”
I paused. “I’m listening.”
“This whole time I’ve asked you to join our family and let us protect you and be a team player.”
“You forgot to mention the part where I was right,” I said, tapping my foot.
“Things have been . . . strange lately. As soon as she got here, from the moment I saw her, I think I knew. Something within me did. But every time I’ve tried to get close to her, she pushes me away or just vanishes. It’s caused some tension.”
“So, you thought you’d redirect that onto me?”
He crossed the room until he stood right in front of me. I had to strain my neck to look up at him.“You’re my family now.” A slight breeze surrounded him, his magic thrumming even now as he reached for me. “I’m sorry I was a jerk and I didn’t talk to you before I went to Fen. In the future, you can trust me. I’m working on the temper.”
