Page 229 of Midnights
Kane chuckles softly, and there’s something about the way he’s looking at me that makes it impossible to stop now, even if I wanted to.
“My grandmother is the one I have to thank for my love of all things magic.” I pause, catching the faintest bit of amusement in his expression. “But you probably guessed that part already.”
My grin widens a little, trying to keep the mood light despite the twinge of nostalgia creeping in. I have a love-hate relationship with talking about my grandparents.
He gives me a small nod, and I almost forget the tension I felt a minute ago. “She sounds like a remarkable woman.”
“She was.” I smile, letting the memory settle over me. “My grandpa, on the other hand, was not as soft. He was all about teaching me how to defend myself. At the time, it was mostly against bullies.”
When I look at him again, he’s watching me with an intensity that nearly makes me lose my train of thought. It’s like he’s hanging onto every word, afraid to say anything that might make me stop.
Heat prickles up my neck, and I shift my weight, feeling strangely exposed. “My grandma would always save her best stories for the harder days. She’d sit beside me, playing with my hair while she retold them.”
A bittersweet smile tugs at my lips, and I let out a small laugh. “Honestly, I secretly looked forward to those days, but I'd never tell them that.”
Kane’s expression softens with an understanding that catches me off guard.
“What does ahard daymean?”
My feet stop moving before I even realize it. I hadn’t meant to let that slip. My throat tightens as my breath catches when I realize how dangerously close I came to opening a door I’m not sure I’m ready to walk through.
“Oh, um…” The words stumble out, clumsy and unsure, caught somewhere between the instinct to retreat and the strange pull to share. My hands twitch at my sides, unsure of where to go.
Kane stops, turning to face me fully. He notices my hesitation immediately. “You don’t have to tell me,” he says softly, like he’s trying not to spook me.
I take a deep breath, and the tension in my chest loosens slightly. I nod, grateful for the out he’s giving me, even though I don’t need it.
Before I can say more, we step into the library, and the sight of it steals my breath all over again. No matter how many times I see this place, it never loses its magic. The towering shelves, filled with stories and secrets makes this room feel like the safest place in the world.
Which is why when I look back at Kane, a tiny, traitorous part of me wonders if opening up wouldn’t totally wreck me. I mean, it's just my grandparents. Nothing dangerous there…right?
I let out a sigh, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “No, it’s okay. I want to.”
My voice is stronger than I expect as the words come tumbling out. “My grandpa wasn’t the type to go easy on me. He actually spoiled me rotten in almost every way, but when it came to life lessons, he was all business.”
Fondness and exasperation cross my features, as the memories flood back. “He always said he wanted me to be strong. Mentally, physically, emotionally, and that he didn’t believe in shortcuts.”
Kane snorts, the sound catching me off guard. My eyes narrow as I fight the urge to smile. “What’s so funny?”
He shakes his head, failing miserably to suppress his smile. “Let me guess, you’re a perfectionist? The type who gets worked up when things don't go exactly the way you planned?”
I roll my eyes, but a soft laugh escapes anyway. “Maybe,” I admit, “That’s probably why I loved it so much in the end. It taught me how to be honest with myself and everyone else. Because, really, what’s the point if you’re not?”
His expression shifts, like he’s seeing a glimpse of something he wasn’t expecting. It’s disarming, and more dangerous than any sarcastic comment he’s thrown my way.
“Sounds like your grandparents knew exactly what they were doing,” he says quietly.
I pause for a moment, gathering my thoughts before continuing. “I mean they did teach me some important things. But my favorite thing was that life is going to be hard, but the only way to make life easier is to figure out how to get through it.”
I expect him to throw in a teasing remark, but he stays quiet, his expression intent and focused, so I keep going.
“But to answer your question, my grandpa always switched things up to keep me on my toes, to make sure I never got too comfortable,” I explain. “There was one thing I hated more than anything and that was swimming in the lake. No matter how cold it was. And trust me, it was always freezing. I’d be shivering like a leaf by the time I got out.”
And cursing the very existence of lakes.Honestly, who decidedswimmingshould be a life skill? If I ever have a future as a mermaid, at least I’ll be prepared.
I roll my eyes. “Needless to say, I became a really good swimmer. But I also developed a deep-seated hatred for the cold. Unless, of course, it’s followed by a hot bath, my favorite fairy tale, and someone playing with my hair.”
Priorities.
