Page 67 of Storm of Summer (Wild Haven 3)

ZARA

Islept the entire time Ezra worked on my tattoo. Rhys only wakes me when it’s done. My limbs are heavy with the lingering weight of sleep as Ezra leads me to a mirror hanging on the wall. He turns me so that my back is to the larger mirror and then hands me another smaller one so I can see what he’s done. I nearly burst into tears when I see his work. It’s beautiful. More importantly, you can’t even see the Duke’s mark beneath it.

“Thank you. It’s incredible. You’re really talented.” I smile at Ezra and a smug grin tugs up the corners of his lips.

“In so many ways. You can’t even imagine what I…” Ezra’s words break off with a long groan.

Ruby just smacked him in the balls. I choke on a laugh when the other guys in the room practically cup themselves in fear.

“What the hell, Ruby?”

“That was just a love tap, Ezzie. Careful, or I’ll show you what I do to people I don’t like.”

“You like me? I’m going to write down today’s date in my diary,” Ezra says with a pained hiss.

“Don’t forget to put a little heart around it,” Ruby replies with an evil grin before turning to me. “You ready to head home? I need a nap and unhealthy food. Not in that order though. Food first.”

I look at Rhys. Rhys who never stopped touching me the entire time Ezra worked on my tattoo. Even though I was asleep for the whole thing, I know he didn’t because I’ve never had such peaceful sleep.

“We’ll catch up later. Lena wants to have a committee meeting about your events.”

“It’s not a committee meeting. I just have a really great idea, but now that Rhys brought it up, I can tell you too.” Lena looks a little disheveled, probably from the magic she and Archer did earlier.

I only just realize that I haven’t said anything to them about it.

“Lena, Archer, Ruby, thank you for helping Rhys get rid of that magic. I…” Lena waves me off with her hand.

“No need. That’s just what we do for each other.” Her words are so simple, but they strike straight through the heart of me. I’ve never had anyone, no less seven someones, who were willing to hurt themselves, possibly even put their lives on the line for me. It’s hard to believe how much my life has changed in such a short amount of time.

“Anyway, we were thinking about the next events. We’ve got the Lughnasadh festival coming up. The island has a huge party and fireworks. After that though, we want to have a prom.” Lena looks so excited I don’t want to ruin her happiness by asking what a prom is.

“You have no idea what prom is, do you?” Ezra says with a hint of laughter. I’m not sure if he’s laughing at Lena or me.

Actually, this time I do know what they’re talking about. “Rhys told me about it.”

“Rhys!” Lena practically scolds her brother like it’s a big secret, but he rolls his eyes.

“We talked about it forever ago. At the birthday party.”

“Is it supposed to be a secret?” I look between the siblings.

Lena huffs. “I guess not. I just wanted to surprise you.”

I reach out and squeeze her arm. “Thank you. Honestly, I’ve had enough surprises to last a lifetime. It’s more fun to know about it so I can get excited for the event.”

“Well, when you’re rational and put it like that.” Lena laughs and just like that, all the annoyance leaves her.

Ruby holds out my shirt and I take it from her, but don’t put it on. Ezra moves until he’s behind me and I can feel him wipe something over the tattoo before bandaging it. “Make sure to leave this on for a few hours.”

I pull my shirt over my head and nod at Ezra. Ruby hooks her arm through mine and starts yanking me toward the door. “Thank you again.”

“Food. Sleep.”

I look at Rhys one more time, wishing just a little, that I was going home with him instead. Not that I don’t want to spend time with Ruby, but I don’t want to leave him.

“I’ll talk to you later.” Rhys’s fingers find mine and squeeze before Ruby tugs me out of the room.

“That was way more exciting than I thought the afternoon would be.” Ruby says once we’re outside.

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