Page 180 of Iris
There’s a knock at the door, and the sound freezes us all in place. Not many people know we’ve been camping out here—or squatting, whatever.
Freya wraps her arms around Emmie, just in case they need to run, and Xavier walks over to my side, ready for a fight.
But when I pull the door open, sparkling green eyes stare up at me.
Iris.
What—?
There’s a small smile on her face as she looks between me and Xavier.
“I’m here for the Nightshade meeting,” she says.
“You fucking brat?—”
She leaps into my arms and crushes her lips to mine. I wrap my arms around her, my body relaxing instantly.
When she pulls away, a full grin blooms on her face, and I bring her back in close to bury my face in the hollow of her neck. Her flowery scent fills my nose, making warmth spread and that hole in my chest fill.
To think I could’ve never seen her again…
To think the fire almost took her from me…
Never again. Nothing’s going to separate us. Ever.
When I put her back on her feet, it’s Xavier’s turn. She hooks her arms around his neck, and he lifts her and captures her mouth for an equally fiery kiss.
“Icy!” Emmie runs over with Delores bouncing at her side. “Icy, are you my Mama now?”
This girl.
Iris crouches down to speak to her directly. “Depends. Do you want me to be?”
My little heartbreaker bats her eyelashes at Iris, who I can see melting fast on the spot. “If you bring me and Delores more owls for our army, yes!”
“Deal.” She holds out her hand and Emmie shakes it dramatically, laughing.
Freya hurries over and ushers Emmie away. “Come on, bug. Let’s give them some privacy.”
“What’spry-bah-see?” she asks as they walk hand-in-hand to the back of the store.
“I’ll explain it to you on the way to the ice cream shop,” Freya says.
“Iceee creammm!” she sing-songs as they disappear out the door.
When we’re alone, Xavier and I move in closer to Iris, pinning her between us. She make a little whimper of a sound, and it’s music to my fucking ears.
“What?” I say softly. “Are you looking for words of love? For me to tell you that you belong to us?”
“Yes.”
I look at her, making sure she can see me so clearly, she can see down into my soul.
“You belong to us, brat. Always. Forever.”
Eyes glistening, she glances at Xavier who signs,
Even she knows what the hand gestures mean, and she mimics it back to him.
