by Amy Manemann
“Never tell me you’re sorry for being uncomfortable. I never wish to put you in a situation where you’d feel caged. You have nothing to apologize for.” He pressed a soft kiss to the end of my nose.
My heart thumped against my chest, his words warming me more than the steam coming from the hot tub.
“Thank you,” I said huskily, my throat swollen with emotions I couldn’t identify.
“I’m going to be honest with you, Willa. Since the first time we met, I’ve been drawn to you, and I can honestly say I’ve never felt like this for another person before. I don’t know where this is heading, and I don’t know what the future holds. I only know that I want you to be a part of it. Too weird?”
“You know, most guys usually wait until the third date before laying their cards all out on the table.”
“What can I say? I’ve always been a bit of an overachiever. And just so you know,” a slow smile spread across his lips, “I’m okay with taking things slow. I don’t want to do anything you aren’t comfortable with, and if you’re happy with just letting me kiss you senseless until the sun comes up, then I guess I’ll just have to bite the bullet and make due.”
That made me laugh, the sound bouncing off the walls of the grotto. “Glad to know you’re willing to take one for the team.”
Braeden lifted his shoulder in a shrug, golden eyes sparkling mischievously. “It’d be hard, but I’m willing to try until I get it right.”
The door to the pool room opened up just as I swatted his arm, and I turned my head to watch the man and woman who came inside. Braeden rose to his feet, a welcoming smile creasing his face.
“I’d rather have you all to myself, but we should probably say hello. Come with me. I’d like you to meet some friends.” He captured both of my hands and pulled me to my feet. I followed him out of the grotto, making sure my towel was still wrapped tightly around my waist as Braeden all but dragged me across the floor.
“I’d heard rumors you were back, but since you didn’t bother to stop by and say hello, I was chalking it up as just that,” the man said, a dimpled grin spreading across his lips.
“Had I been aware you were pining for me I would have stopped by sooner, Delaney,” Braeden easily returned, pulling the other man in for a hug.
Delaney was as tall as Braeden and just as handsome, but where Braeden’s looks were fair and golden, Delaney had darker hair and deep blue eyes. His dimpled grin was infectious, and I couldn’t help but smile as he and Braeden greeted one another.
“And what am I, chopped liver?” the girl spoke up, slapping a hand on a curvy hip.
I eyed her with interest, taking in the glossy brown hair pulled back into a tight braid, and pair of hazel eyes that seemed to almost sparkle in the light. She was small, I guessed her to be around five foot four, but the way she carried herself gave me the impression she wasn’t someone to mess with.
Braeden playfully tugged the girls braid. “No one would ever mistake you for processed meat, Keeley.”
She laughed, swiping at his hand.
“Very funny. It’s good to see you, Brae. I see you brought someone back in your travels.” Her hazel eyes sized me up, and I resisted the urge to curl into Braeden’s side to avoid attention. I didn’t want to shy away from his friends, yet I wasn’t all that comfortable with the two sets of eye studying me curiously. The way Braeden’s smile warmed as he looked at them told me they were close, and I could tell this meeting was important to him. Which meant it was important to me too.
Braeden recaptured my hand, tugging me forward. “This is Willa Devries.”
Keeley held out her hand with a smile that lit up her eyes, making them sparkle all the more. “Nice to meet you, Willa. I’m Keeley Jones, and this whack job over here is Delaney Rue.”
I took Keeley’s small hand in mine, surprised at the strength of her grip. I was right. Definitely not someone to mess with.
“Whack job? Really, Keeley? Don’t listen to her, Willa. She’s just jealous ‘cause I whipped her butt sparring earlier today,” Delaney grinned, folding his hand around mine and giving it a gentle squeeze. Strength radiated from his hand into mine, letting me know the muscles rippling beneath the t-shirt he wore weren’t all just for show.
Keeley folded her arms across her chest, eyebrow lifted. “Really? That’s funny, because I seem to remember it was me wiping the floor with your sorry butt. Not the other way around.”
“Are you two really still pissing and moaning over today’s sparring match? Do us all a favor, already. Build a bridge and get over it,” an amused voice interjected.
I turned to eye the tall man who had just come through the door. He was as tall as Braeden and Delaney, with light brown hair and a muscular build that spoke of a person used to a rigorous work out. As he approached, I noticed the cocky grin spreading across his lips, not missing the way his eyes were zeroed in on me.
“Ryland, I thought you were keeping these two in line while I was away.” Braeden clapped the other man on the back in greeting.
Ryland gave a short laugh, eyes still focused on me. Up close I could tell they were a deep brown, the color reminiscent of a chocolate bar. My stomach grumbled at the comparison.
“I do what I can, but you know how they are. And who might this lovely creature be? You weren’t really planning on keeping her all to yourself, were you, Brae?” Ryland winked at me, and I ducked my head, stepping closer to Braeden.
“This lovely creature is Willa Devries.” Braeden curved an arm around my waist, smiling down into my upturned face. “She’s a Lightkeeper.”
Ryland smoothly captured my hand in his, pressing a kiss to the back of it. “A pleasure, Miss Willa Devries. I’m Ryland Cort, and if you need anything, you only have to ask.”
“Thanks, but I think Braeden has that department well covered.” I quickly tugged my hand free from Ryland’s grasp, curling my fingers into Braeden’s side.
Delaney let out a snort of laughter, and Keeley grinned. Ryland seemed less amused.
“Didn’t think I’d see the day when Ry got turned out. Hot dang, Braeden. I like her,” Delaney exclaimed, blue eyes dancing with merriment.
“Willa Devries…Oh my gosh, I should have guessed it. She’s your Lightkeeper, Brae” Keeley exclaimed, as if the thought had suddenly occurring to her.
“Yes, I’m Willa’s Guardian. We were attacked in Salem before I could get into her training, so we came here where it was safe.”
Ryland sighed dramatically, stepping away from me. “Well, that settles it then. Willa is definitely off limits.”
“Like she wasn’t before,” Keeley scoffed.
“They’re never off limits until their Guardian is in the picture.” Ryland made a face. “Then it’s a sealed deal.”
“Ry…,” Braeden breathed in warning, a scowl on his face.
I shot him a puzzled look. “I’m not sure I know what you mean, Ryland.”
Ryland’s gaze bounced between mine and Braeden’s, and he actually had the grace to flush.
“Aw jeez, Brae, I’m sorry. You haven’t talked about that yet. I just figured…,” he trailed off.
“Guardians and Lightkeeper’s are a matched set. It’s said that once a Guardian is paired with their Lightkeeper, no one else can ever separate them,” Keeley supplied, giving a small shrug when Delaney shot her a dark look.
My mouth went dry, my stomach doing a funny flip. “You knew this and didn’t think tell me?”
Braeden flinched when I slid away from him, and a pained expression crossed his face.
“Yes, but it isn’t what you think,” he said softly, looking slightly ill.
“And how do you know what I think? You knew before you even came to Salem how I would feel, didn’t you?” I felt like an idiot. I hadn’t understood how my feelings for Braeden could be so strong after having only just met him. And now I knew. We were cosmically connected. I hadn’t stood a chance of feeling any different.
“Willa, you don’t
understand…,” Braeden reached out a hand.
I side stepped his grasp, watching through hurt eyes when his hand dropped back to his side. “You know, I’m really sick and tired of people thinking they know what I will and won’t understand. Aunt Sadie kept things from me for that reason. You’ve kept things from me…what’s next? I find out I have a long lost relative I didn’t know about? By the Goddess, Braeden, do you know how much you suck right now?”
“Way to go, Keeley. You should really work on that whole big mouth syndrome of yours,” Delaney said dryly, receiving a scowl in response.
“You know what? All you boys pretty much suck tonight. And Braeden, you’re an idiot. I think Willa and I need to have some girl time and get to know each other. You boys have fun playing by yourselves,” Keeley snapped.
Marching over to me she grabbed my arm, hauling me towards the door. I didn’t put up much resistance, too angry and hurt with Braeden over this new bit of information to want to argue with her. Keeley paused at the door, bringing me to an abrupt stop as well.
“And don’t bother to come knocking. When we feel like talking to you idiots again, we’ll let you know,” she informed them frostily. Turning on her heel, she marched out the door with me in tow.
“Where exactly are we going? And would this involve putting on more comfortable clothing?” I breathed, trying to keep up with her fast moving legs. For someone shorter than me, she sure could move fast.
“We’re going to my room. I’ll loan you some clothes,” Keeley threw over her shoulder, obviously on a mission.
I didn’t argue, probably more due to the fact that I was afraid to. To my surprise, she stopped outside of Allora’s door, giving two sharp raps before pushing it open and sticking her head inside.
Keeley peered about the room until she found the white witch sitting at her desk. “Allora, we’re having girl time in my room. Are you in?”
Allora rose from her chair, a smile on her face. “Hello to you too, Keeley. I think some girl time is exactly what we need. I see you’ve brought Willa with you.”
Keeley gave an unladylike snort, rolling her eyes. “I had to bring Willa. No way was I leaving her there with the idiot men. I’ll bet as we speak they’re probably beating their chests and having a pissing contest now that we’re gone.”
Despite my aching heart I smothered a laugh, my like for Keeley deepening.
“I highly doubt the pissing contest has commenced, but I can well see the chest beating about now. Give me ten minutes, and I’ll meet you in your room.”
“K, see you in a few,” Keeley said cheerfully. Not bothering to wait around, she shut the door and continued down the hallway.
“Should I be afraid of what girl time entails?” I asked, walking quickly to keep up with the smaller woman. I was out of my element here, having never really made many friends growing up. I was actually embarrassed to admit that it’d been years since I’d hung out with the friends I did have, and I really had no idea what girls did for fun anymore.
Keeley grinned, the smile stretching her lips and making her eyes light up. “We’ll paint our nails, do our hair and talk about how we can improve the men in our lives. Trust me, Willa. It’ll be fun.”
Braeden stared at the closed door, a curse on his lips. “She did not just do that.”
His step towards the door was stopped by a hand on his arm, and Braeden glared at Ryland.
“Give her a minute to let it absorb. Keeley may be a bit rough around the edges, but she won’t do or say anything that’ll hurt Willa. If anything, she’ll help her to understand.” Wisely Ryland withdrew his hand before it got torn off.
Braeden raked a hand through his hair, agitated. “That’s just it, Ry, Willa doesn’t understand our ways. She’s not from here and hasn’t grown up knowing all this stuff like we did.”
“Then maybe hanging out with Keeley will help her to understand. You know I love you like a brother, and I’d do anything for you, but maybe you need to back off and give Willa a little space. How long ago did she come into her powers?” Delaney asked.
“She hasn’t come into them yet. That’s the problem,” Braeden said stiffly, eyes straying back to the closed door as if he could will the women to come back.
Delaney’s mouth fell open.
Ryland let out a low whistle. “I sensed her power the minute we came into the room and assumed she’d already come into her powers. I’m sure Keeley did as well. Guardians don’t pair with their Lightkeeper until after their powers have been attained, and only then it’s a rarity.”
“I’m well aware of what the legends state, Ry. I don’t need a history lesson,” Braeden snapped.
“Okay, smartass, then you know whatever your feelings are for Willa, they don't stem from your tie as her Guardian. So, the big question is, what are you going to do about it? Let Keeley fill in the gaps for you?” Ryland returned.
Delaney clapped him on the back. “You know, I never thought I’d see the day where Braeden Mathieson fell head over heels. And with his own Lightkeeper at that. Kudos, my friend.”
Braeden opened, then closed his mouth, a bemused expression on his face. “We haven’t known each other long enough. I couldn’t possibly…”
“Love her?” Delaney supplied. “I’ve heard of stranger things, my friend. Love is a funny thing, but when it hits, you know.”
Braeden slumped into one of the lounge chairs, his mind processing what he’d just learned. He did love her. Without even saying the words aloud his heart sped up, his body heating in response. Did she feel the same way?
“She thinks the reason we feel this way is due to a stress reaction from everything that’s going on.”
Ryland snorted out a laugh. “Seriously? That’s hilarious. Braeden, for as long as I’ve known you, you’ve had girls falling all over themselves at the chance to hang on your arm or take a tumble in your bed. You finally find one who could be more than a bed playmate, and she thinks she’s attracted to you because of a stress reaction?”
Braeden glared at Ryland. “Willa is more than just a playmate. I would never treat her that way.”
Ryland held up a hand, wisely stepping out of striking distance. “I’m not saying you would, so don’t get your undies in a bunch. But even you have to admit, your history speaks for itself.”
Delaney grimaced. “He’s right, Brae. You’ve always been discreet, but you’ve had your fair share of bedmates over the years. It won’t be long before Willa learns the truth. I may not know her well, but I do know women, and they have a funny way of being pissy about things like that.”
Braeden groaned, dropping his head into his hands. They were right. Though he’d always made certain the women he passed the time with knew he wasn’t looking for anything longer lasting than a few nights spent between the sheets, Willa wouldn’t see it that way. She knew he’d had past relationships, but would she still look at him the same way once she knew all the sordid details?
“And I suppose Keeley will take great delight on filling her in.” He stared again at the closed door. Keeley was the closest thing to a sister he had, but he wasn’t dumb enough to think she wouldn’t spill everything she knew.
“Of course she will. You know Keeley.” Delaney shrugged. “The only thing you need to worry about is how you’re going to handle the aftermath.”
Braeden stood, determination clenching his jaw.
“There won’t be an aftermath to deal with because I’ll take care of this right now,” he said, stalking out the door without a backwards glance.
Delaney looked over at Ryland, a bemused expression on his face. “How do you think he’ll turn out?”
Ryland grinned. “He’s toast.”
Chapter 16
I sat on the edge of Keeley’s bed, feet tucked underneath me. Allora and Keeley reclined easily against the headboard, each holding a glass of the fruity wine I’d declined. I’d learned Allora was twenty-three and Keeley had just turned twenty-one, so drinking was probably
a routine pastime for them both, which was fine by me. Not that I hadn’t tried a drink in my day, I just found it wasn’t something I liked to do. I would much rather prefer a hot cup of tea over a glass of wine any day.
Making good on her promise, within minutes of reaching Keeley’s room she shared a pair of pajama pants and sleeping shirt that matched the bright pink décor of Keeley’s hall. As my eyes wandered over the very pink room, it brought to mind an image of Braeden in his blue swim trunks and my smile faded, a pit of emptiness in my stomach.
Allora sipped her wine, violet eyes peering at me intently. “So, what did he do?”
Keeley snorted, waving a hand through the air. “He did what Braeden does best. Screwed things up.”
“Willa?” Allora asked, drawing my gaze to hers.
I managed a weak smile. “I didn’t know about a Guardian being paired with their Lightkeeper. I thought he liked me for me, you know? But now I know it was all because of our connection together.”
Allora laughed, leaning over Keeley to set her glass of wine down on the nightstand next to the bed before scooting next to me. “Oh, Willa, Braeden likes you for you. The prophecy states a Guardian is paired with their Lightkeeper for all eternity, which usually follows after the Lightkeeper has come into their powers.”
Keeley paused, her glass of wine raised halfway to her lips. “Willa has her powers. I can sense them.”
Allora shook her head, smile widening. “What you are sensing is a precursor to the power Willa will have once she gains her full strength. She has not yet come into her powers.”
I drew in a soft breath, hope fluttering in my chest. “So, what you’re saying is our feelings for one another aren’t because of a premeditated Guardian, Lightkeeper thing?”
Allora clapped her hands together, looking pleased. “That is exactly what I’m saying. Braeden’s future has always rested in your hands, but his heart did not follow suit until you met. The price for capturing his heart was something you earned on your own.”