Page 109 of Entangled

“I think it’s how these things often are. Breaking point isn’t always a bad place to be. These weak points have always been there, Dominic, undermining us. Perhaps if we fall apart now, we can become something stronger later,” I say, thinking of my kintsugi, and all of the beautiful gold-mended lines. Thinking of Eden asking whether I believed my flaws could ever become something beautiful.

It might be that I’m beginning to.

The air on the way back to camp smells richer, clearer, and my lips turn up.

Dominic examines me sideways, then ahead, frowning in thought. We walk back into camp together in silence.

Thinking on what we might become.

Chapter27

Eden

Survival tip #46

Watch out for trees.

They may appear out of nowhere.

My hand finds my hair for the third time in as many minutes, smoothing back the strands I already know are neatly contained. We’re nearing Bristlebrook, and I’m fluttering. I don’t know if nerves, dread, excitement, or misery has me more firmly in its grip, but whichever it is, I’m ready for it to be done. I’m so close to seeing Beau again. And Lucky...

Lucky and I need to talk.

“You know, I can just find you a mirror,” Dom says in an undertone, and I glance up at him. His lips are suspiciously quirked, like he’s fighting a smile.

I snatch my hand from my hair. He’s been walking silently beside me for nearly an hour, but for some reasonthisis the first thing he’s decided to comment on.

In my politest tone, I reply, “That won’t be necessary, thank you.”

Oh, he’sdefinitelyfighting a smile. “And here I thought you didn’t have a vain streak.”

I huff an exasperated sigh, trying not to squirm. “Doesn’t everyone?”

I’m not quite sure about this side of Dom. I’ve seen glimpses of it, with Beau and Lucky, but he’s usually so serious—especially lately.

Dom shrugs, then says dryly, “I couldn’t give two shits.”

He’s lethal like this. Dark and a little disheveled, as confident in this terrain as if he were born to it.

“Like you need to,” I mutter.

His smile breaks free, stealing away the stern planes of his face. I lift my gaze to stare at the greenery, the people walking beside us,anythingthat’s not that unfairly gorgeous grin.

No, thank you. If I look at him for any longer, I’m likely to walk into a tree.

Dom nudges me with his elbow, and I half tilt my face his way. Maybe it will be like being blasted with only half a furnace.

“You don’t need to worry, Eden. You’re beautiful. They’re not going to take their eyes off you.”

Did he just... compliment me?

He says it casually, like it’s nothing, like my pulse doesn’t immediately trip over itself in the exultant thrill of it. God, he really is gorgeous. Thrumming with power and careless confidence, the dark, formidable strength in his hard body, those fiery golden eyes that are almost too intense for me to?—

His arm flings out and his hand buries itself in the front of my shirt, then he’s yanking me hard in front of him. I catch onto his arms with a muffled cry... and it takes a second to see his bemused raised brow, just inches from my face.

“Tree.”

“What?”

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