“Sorry,” I mumbled as Winston rubbed his hand trying to gain some circulation.
“You don’t seem like yourself,” he observed.
“I’m fine.” I looked down at my plate so I didn’t have to meet anyone’s gaze.
How many times had I already said that this morning? If someone has to keep repeating it then clearly, they are not fine.
Theo’s gaze met mine and a communication seemed to pass through the air. Sometimes, I felt like he could read my mind. I certainly hoped that wasn’t the case.
We finished our breakfast and returned our plates. Winston took my hand and lifted it to his lips where he pressed a single kiss.
We had never discussed whether or not we were dating but Winston seemed to assume so. Ever since the morning he woke up in my bed he had acted as if we were together. I didn’t mind. I liked Winston. He was reliable.
But who really wanted reliable? I wanted passion, and whenever Winston touched me or kissed me there was no desire. I only felt friendship but I was determined to see where this went. I’d rather force myself to feel something than be alone and pining for someone who could never be mine. And besides, Theo wasn’t the right guy for me. He made me angry and it was always easy to hate him. Who can have a lasting relationship with someone they hate half the time?
“Where are we going?” I asked Winston as we stood and he began to drag me out of the dining hall.
He grinned, vibrating with happy energy. “You’ll see.”
He led me down the hall and stopped outside a room I’d never been in before.
“Surprise!” He threw the door open. I stepped inside and the others followed behind.
“You guys,” I breathed. “You didn’t have to do this.”
All the tables and chairs in the room were shoved against the wall except for one that sat in the middle with a cake and a small stack of presents. They had hung streamers and confetti floated through the air above us like a rainbow. I guessed one of the guys were performing that trick since they were the only ones who had full control of their powers.
“We know,” said Adelaide, in her lazy monotone voice, “but we wanted to.”
“Thanks,” I murmured, fighting tears. “This is … more than I could’ve ever expected.” I wiped away a tear before anyone could see.
Adelaide hugged me and led me to the table. “Okay, birthday girl, which do you want first, cake or presents?”
“Is it strawberry?” I asked.
Adelaide looked over her shoulder at Theo. “It’s strawberry. Theo said you had to have strawberry.”
My gaze met his intense gray ones. “Thank you,” I said, my voice thick with emotion. He nodded and crossed his arms over his chest before blending in with the shadows. I wondered if he used some kind of magic when he did that. It didn’t seem possible for someone to disappear so completely.
“So?” Adelaide prompted and I turned my attention away from the shadows.
“Uh … cake?” I said but it came out as a question.
“I figured you’d say that.” She rolled her eyes. She pulled out a cake cutter and plates. “Since it’s your birthday I’ll let you pick the piece that you want. I know that’s supposedly against the rules but there really shouldn’t be rules when it comes to cake.”
I studied the round cake with white icing. Happy 18th Birthday Mara was written on it in pink script and several pale pink roses added a touch of decoration.
“That piece,” I said and pointed to the slice that would give me the most icing.
Adelaide cut it and handed me the plate. I grabbed a fork off the table and dug in. I couldn’t help moaning in pleasure as the strawberry flavor hit my tongue.
“Good?”
I turned to see that Theo had melted out of the shadows.
“Delicious. Want a bite?” I asked and held out the fork.
With a strange glimmer in his eye, he bent down and wrapped his lips around the fork.
Oh, sweet Jesus, even the way he takes a bite of cake is hot.
My breathing accelerated and he chuckled low under his breath as he pulled away. His tongue flicked out and he licked some lingering icing away from his lip. I thought my heart stopped.
“How … how …” I stuttered. I swallowed and tried to gather myself. “How did you know strawberry cake is my favorite?”
He leaned in close, so close that his beautiful lips touched my ear. His lip ring was cold against my sensitive skin. “I know everything about you, doll face.” He brushed my neck lightly with his fingers. “I know what you like, what you want, what you hate, and I know your heart’s desires.” My breath caught and it felt like the heat in the room vanished. I looked around belatedly to see if Winston was watching but he appeared to be occupied.
I turned my head toward Theo and met his fiery gaze.
My lips parted in the hopes that words would fall out but nothing happened. Theo smirked and said, “I think I’ll go get some cake.” His cocky smile didn’t fade as he headed toward the table. Adelaide handed him a plate and glanced at me and then back at her brother. It wouldn’t be long until she put two and two together. She pretty much already had.
Winston noticed me standing by myself so he ended his conversation with Ethan and came to my side. He lightly bumped my shoulder with his and asked, “Are you enjoying yourself?”
I smiled. “Yeah, this is more than I could have ever expected. I was content to lie in my bed all day.”
He laughed. “Scared of growing old, Mara?”
“No, it’s not that.” I shook my head. “It’s just …,” I trailed off. I really had no desire to tell Winston about my fears of coming into my powers.
“It’s just what, love?” Winston prompted.
I shook my head. “Nothing. Never mind.” I flashed him a small smile.
I finished my piece of cake and Adelaide snatched the plate out of my hands. “Open your presents,” she declared as she dropped the plate in a trash bag.
“Demanding much?” I joked.
She smiled wickedly. I grabbed one of the presents. “That’s from me.” She waggled her eyebrows.
“Should I be afraid?”
“Very.” She made her voice even lower and menacing than usual.
I hesitantly unwrapped the package afraid there might be a venomous snake underneath the paper or maybe a bomb. You never knew with Adelaide. Instead, I found a wooden wand.
“I thought you said we didn’t use wands?” I shot accusingly at Theo.
Everyone laughed. “We don’t,” said Adelaide. “It’s meant to be a joke. Theo told me about you asking about the whole wand thing.”
“Why’d you tell her that?” I asked Theo, frowning.
He laughed and shrugged. “I don’t know.”
I placed the box down. “Well, thanks,” I said to Adelaide.
“Here,” Adelaide said and handed me another box. “This is your real gift from me.”
Inside the box was a very nice green-gold colored sweater and a watch. I slipped the watch on and gazed at it admiringly. It was gold and tortoise shell resin. “Thank you, Adelaide. I love it.” I hugged her. “Even the wand.”
She laughed and danced away. “More presents.” She shook the next box.
“Hey, don’t break it!” Winston cried.
“Ooh, it’s breakable?” Her blue eyes widened. She winked at me. “Boyfriend did good, then.”
He’s not my boyfriend—was my immediate thought, followed by—he kinda is.
Winston took the box from her and handed it to me. He rubbed the back of his neck and gave me a sheepish smile. “It’s not much, so I apologize. I didn’t expect to meet anybody. I promise your Christmas present will be much better.”
“You didn’t need to get me anything.” I began to unwrap the present.
He shrugged. “I thought this might remind you of me,” he admitted.
“Are you planning on leaving?” I asked and bumped his hip with mine.
“No.”
He blushed and glanced over at Theo.
I stiffened. Maybe Winston wasn’t as oblivious to my feelings for Theo as I thought.
I tossed the wrapping paper in the trash bag and then lifted the lid off the small square box. I pulled out a snow globe with Big Ben in the center.
“Oh, Winston, thank you,” I breathed.
He grinned, showing his crooked teeth. “You like it?”
“I love it, thank you,” I said again and hugged him. He bent his head and pressed a kiss to my lips. His hands wound around my waist and his mouth was persistent, unlike the other times we had kissed. Almost like he was trying to prove a point.
A loud crash pulled Winston away from me. The table with the cake and presents had been knocked over. No one stood near it and everyone seemed stunned as to what had happened except for one person. Theo was in the corner with a triumphant gleam in his eye. When he saw I was watching him the look disappeared.
Adelaide pulled herself together and bent to start cleaning up the mess. I set the snow globe down and helped her. The cake icing had splattered all over the floor and it was going to be a pain to wipe up. Winston disappeared and came back with paper towels and a mop.
Between the three of us, we made quick work of cleaning up the mess. Theo and Ethan apparently thought they were too good to help us. For the first time, I realized the skank hadn’t come. I’m sure Naomi would have been very amused by this.
I placed the last of the soiled towels in the trash and Winston finished mopping the floor.
“I wonder what made the table fall over,” Winston mused at he leaned against the mop handle. “Those tables are pretty heavy.”
“Yeah, I wonder,” I said softly and looked at Theo.
Chapter 16
THANKFULLY, THE REST OF THE day wasn’t as eventful as the morning. No more messes and no more catastrophes.
It was after dinner and Winston was walking me back to my room. Theo sulked behind us and pretended to be observing the artwork.
“Did you enjoy your birthday?” Winston asked.
“I did. Very much so,” I said and did an awful replica of Winston’s accent.
He laughed at my attempt as we reached the door to my room. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my body close to his. He tipped his head toward mine, and I closed the distance with my lips. My fingers tangled in his soft sandy hair as I tried to force myself to feel anything. Just something with Winston.
He seemed to be encouraged by my seemingly enthusiastic attempt. He pushed my back against the door and moaned into my mouth. His fingers dug into my hips trying to hold me closer to him.
“Wow.” He pulled away. He brushed my hair away from my face with a gentle touch. “Is it your birthday or mine?” he joked with a grin.
I smiled and grabbed his shirt pulling him in once more. “Mine, and birthday girl says she wants another kiss.”
“I think I’m okay with that.” He smiled and bent again.
This kiss was soft and sweet.
I could live with soft and sweet.
“See you in the morning.” He kissed me quickly once more.
I watched Winston disappear around the corner before I opened my door. Theo followed me inside and sat on the floor.
“I don’t know why you don’t just conjure an air mattress or something?” I snapped at him. After all, he was the source of my frustration.
He leaned back against the wall and stretched his long legs out. His black combat boots thwacked against the floor.
“I can’t just conjure stuff, Mara, you know that.”
“I know, I know,” I flopped on my bed. “You can’t make stuff just magically appear. It has to come from somewhere,” I mimicked his voice.
“So, you do listen to me when I speak.”
“Of course I do. Unfortunately, you’re usually right in what you say. Can’t you ever be wrong?”
He chuckled from the corner.
“And what was that with the table? I know you did it, Theodore.” I sat up to glare at him.
“You saw that?” he asked softly.
“I’m not stupid.”
He sighed and ran his fingers roughly through his hair. “Sometimes even those most in control of their powers have moments where they’re not in control.”
“Thank you, Yoda. I feel enlightened.”
“Yoda?”
“Yeah, you know. Star Wars? Little green dude that always speaks in riddles?”
“I have no idea what you’re saying,” he remarked.
I threw up my hands and flopped back down on my back. “You’re impossible.”
“I like to think that I’m simply stubborn. Not impossible.” When I didn’t say anything, he whispered, “Are you mad at me?”
“Yes,” I snapped. “You’ve been an even bigger jerk to me than usual since—”
“Since?” he prompted.
“Since you saw Winston in my bed. Nothing happened,” I whispered the last part.
“I know,” he breathed. “I’m sorry it angered me.” I felt like his apology wasn’t for me but for himself.
“Why does it bother you?” I asked softly, almost hoping that he wouldn’t hear me.
So much time passed that I assumed he hadn’t but, eventually, he said, “I … don’t … know.” His voice cracked on the last word.
Neither one of us said or did anything for a long time. I watched the last of the sunlit sky disappear. The moon replaced it and the stars sparkled brightly.
“It’s time,” Theo said and I could hear his clothes shuffle as he stood.
“Time for what?” I asked.
“You didn’t think I wouldn’t give my doll face a present now, did you?”
“I’m not sure I want a present from a guy that thinks I look like a doll.” I smiled so he’d know I was joking.
“Like I’ve said before—” he took my hands and hauled me up “—a very pretty doll. You know …,” he mused. “You still haven’t met Nigel. I think he’s feeling a bit neglected.”
I quirked a brow at his sudden change of topic. “Why don’t you bring him to my room? You already sleep on the floor; what’s one more unwelcome houseguest?”
He laughed. “I think Nigel might take you up on that offer.”
“Where are we going?” I asked Theo as he led me to the door. He glanced quickly from left to right and then motioned me out. “Quiet,” he whispered under his breath and pressed his index finger to his lips in case his words weren’t enough.
The halls were dark, only a sconce lighting the way. It was late, nearly midnight, and everyone was supposed to be in their rooms. If we were caught I knew we’d be in huge trouble. When we reached the main staircase, Theo pushed me behind a statue and then crept along the edges of the staircase, no doubt looking for someone who might reprimand us.
When the coast was clear, he came back to me and took my hand. A genuine smile was on his face. I didn’t think he’d ever smiled like this before. So light, happy, and … carefree.
We ran down the stairs, and I found myself trying not to giggle. Theo’s grip tightened on my hand as we turned down a hall I had never noticed before. Theo ran down the hall and dragged me with him. We reached a door, and Theo stopped.
He let go of my hand and closed his eyes. He put his hand on the knob, whispered something under his breath, and then the door swung open. He grinned triumphantly and took my hand again. Theo shut the door behind us, making sure not to slam it, and then turned his body so I could see what lay in front of us.
A garden.
A beautiful, magical garden. Everything was so green, so colorful, so … full of life. The flowers were all bright colors and the grass we walked on was the brightest green and thick like a shag carpet. The garden was large and open with benches and statues dotting the area. Fortunately, it wasn’t raining.
“Theo,” I breathed.
“Come on.” He grinned like a little boy. He hauled me further into the garden before falling to the gro
und and pulling me down with him. A little scream of fright escaped my throat.
Theo cradled me as we sat and said, “You didn’t think I’d let you fall, did you?”
I shook my head.
“Good.” He smiled and my stomach flip-flopped. “I want you to know that I’ll never let harm come to you. No matter how small.” His face was serious and he traced my cheek with his thumb.
“This place …,” I started, trying to ignore the pleasant zings coursing through my body from his touch.
“It’s the Committee’s garden, but tonight, it’s ours,” he explained.
I liked the way he said ours.
“It’s so beautiful,” I breathed, looking around. “How did you find it?”
He laughed. “I had a lot of time waiting for you to come along. I tried to find as many different routes out of here as I could. Just in case … I needed to get you out of here someday. I might be your protector, but they won’t share that kind of information with me.”
“I don’t see how you can leave through the garden,” I said and indicated the ten-foot tall cement fence encasing the garden.
“You can’t,” he said. “But I thought you would enjoy it out here. You haven’t been outside of the manor, except for the roof, since I brought you here.”
“Why wouldn’t they share escape routes with you?” I ask.
He sucked on his bottom lip, his lip ring disappearing for a moment. “To keep you inside,” he finally answered.
“Right.” I shivered at the thought. I breathed in the fresh air. “This is nice, thank you.” I squeezed his hand.
I laid down against damp grass and Theo did the same.
“The trees are so tall and so green.” I pointed to the trees that surrounded the manor like a sentinel.
“They are pretty big,” Theo agreed. “I like them.”
“I do too,” I admitted. “There’s something … comforting about them.”
He laughed. “Comforting?”
“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “They remind of a big fluffy blanket. A very green one.”
“I don’t think those trees are fluffy.” He chuckled. “I’d argue that they’re hard, seeing as they’re wood.”
Enchant (The Enchanted Book 1) Page 15