Suppliant
Page 23
Chapter 23
It’s glorious to see Silver again. I glance over as Damien rides up beside us on Bronco. We’re headed for the beach. Something about the wind in my face and the open air helps me think.
Right now my best course of action is to continue to pretend that Damien and I are a couple. I still plan on telling Trish about Damien being my protector; I will just leave out the part about Zeke for now.
I will have to convince Zeke to play along as my friend. This is surely going to be painful for him. I know that our Joining means that we are more physically attracted to each other, but it was by accident.
I’m hoping that he will understand that it’s in my best interest not to come out in the open about this. I hope this will work and Trish will not be suspicious. If she isn’t suspicious, then no one else should have a reason to be. She’s our closest friend, and she watches every move that we make.
I see the spot on the beach where Damien and I stopped last time, and Silver knowingly comes to a halt. Damien gets off Bronco and I follow his lead.
“I have a plan. I think that we should tell Trish that you’re my Protector. I’m sure that Zeke will agree to remain ‘my friend’ until we’re ready.”
Damien takes this into consideration. “I have a better plan. We tell Trish that I’m still your boyfriend. We leave the Protector part out of it for our sake. She doesn’t need to know the details. I’m not sure that we can trust her yet,” he says. How can he not trust her? She has done nothing to be untrustworthy.
“Damien, she is my only friend here, and I need to tell her. I can’t stand being dishonest with her.” I can feel an argument brewing.
“You’re not lying, just omitting certain parts of the truth. You can’t tell her about the ceremony, or that we are joined. I will still be your boyfriend, and Zeke can be your friend. That’s what people should see. You’re under scrutiny as a Suppliant. There are always people watching you whether you know it or not. You have to be careful. I’m just trying to protect you, Layla. Please don’t fight me on this.”
He runs his fingertips along my cheekbone again, sparking a white--hot fire. I know he’s right. Damien has always put protecting me first.
“Okay, but I need to get to know Zeke too. We need to work together just as much as you and I do. Like it or not, he’s part of this now,” I say, fully prepared to get my way on this.
I’m mentally preparing my argument when Damien’s voice breaks through my thoughts. “I don’t disagree. That’s why I think we should tell Professor Kale that you’ve decided to choose a Protector between me and Zeke. He will let us all three be partners in Combat, and the problem will be solved. When I’m not in your class, you should be Zeke’s partner. He’ll look out for you; it’s in our DNA.”
I’m really surprised at how cool Damien is taking this. I was expecting him to be uptight about me wanting to get to know Zeke too. I thought he would consider it competition, though there is nothing that can be done.
My brain is still reeling from everything that the Shaman told us. I can’t believe that I’m joined with both of them. I know that he thinks I’m powerful, but what did I do to deserve all of this power? I just want to get the pendant and find my parents.
In order to do that, I need to have both Damien and Zeke cooperate because we’re all in this together. Damien’s plan is solid. With it in place, I will always have one of them around, and I can still get to know both of them better.
“I think that’s a good idea.” I’m starting to feel like this could work.
“Zeke and I will have to develop a friendship. It’s the only way to sell that we will be working so close together, the three of us. Especially since neither one of us plans on leaving your side for very long,” he says. I wonder if this friendship could ever be real.
How am I supposed to share my life with both men? I’m going to have to push that aside and take this one step at a time. The only way to recover and bounce back is one step at a time.
“What about the physical part of it? I know that it’s not fair to either one of you that I have a relationship with either of you. But I can’t be away from you, or him. I could barely sleep last night, his room is too far away,” I say.
This confession hurts the most. I need both of them, in and around my life. None of us can help our feelings, or our connection. They have to get along for all of our sakes.
Both men will feel my pain if they make me choose. It would also weaken my powers, and I need them strong to find the Pendant.
“That is a bit of a dilemma. Zeke is housed across campus, and that distance must put a strain on you. For the time being, he can bunk with me. It would make sense that we are both within arm’s reach if you need us,” he says, causing hope to well up inside me.
Damien is making the most of our situation, if it’s not ideal. I can’t help but think about how much I admire that about him.
The ride back to the stables is quiet.