The place that Nic vanishes us away to is…gorgeous. By far the most stunning place that I’ve seen since I’ve been here. High stone walls are built on two sides of us, covered in dark ivy and the strangest purple climbing flowers that seem to glow in the moonlight.And then, spreading out in the othe
I purse my lips, already prideful, already willing to defend myself to the end for keeping this from him even though I’m well aware that I’m in the wrong.“Whoa,” Orion says, looking between us in surprise. “I’m – um, sorry about that? I…was unaware that that was a secret. I mean,” he smirks a bit h
“W-what did your mother say?” I whisper, staring at Orion, a bit awed.“That I’d meet a fascinating young woman,” he murmurs, lifting his drink to his pretty mouth and taking a sip before leaning forward towards me, holding my gaze the whole time. “Who was as beautiful as she was brave. Who wasn’t a
I frown at him, not understanding. Then I start and lean again towards him. “Wait, so, is this like…do you think this is an actual date?”He laughs a little, surprised. “Of course I do.”“You and me,” I say, pointing between us. “We’re on a date? Like a date-date – like…a romance date?”Orion grins
“If it’s a date,” Orion says, leaning back in his chair and studying me. “Clearly, we should just get the awkward part out of the way and make out – just to see if there’s any chemistry there to begin with –“My mouth falls open to emit a shocked little squeak, but when Orion again starts to laugh I
I rankle a bit, my wolf’s hackles raising, at the past-tense way that he speaks of Blythe, as well as the answer to the question.But I only hesitate a second, clenching my jaw. “No.”“Really?” He leaning forward towards me with new interest. “You know you have a mate. And you know this man is not i
“No, Juniper,” Orion sighs, resting his forehead against his hand and letting his eyes drift shut for a moment. “You’re not being eliminated. So…calm down.”“But…why!?” I breathe, shaking my head and getting more worked up. I mean, I just don’t understand how I can be so completely in the clear. “I
“What?” Nic asks, staring at me, appalled.“Tea,” I say, gesturing awkwardly around, not wanting to be left alone to this fight just yet. “I could call some up…jasmine tea? Or like, green if you’re worrying about…caffeine?”Nic just stares at me again for a long moment like he wonders if my brain ha