Veins threatening to burst, I give him what I hope is a subtle smile. “Sure. I’d like that.”
Chapter 16
Cairn
I DON’T KNOW WHAT THE hell I was thinking when I invited her to stay.
Well, Ido, but it’s dangerous. Foolish.
And I hope I don’t end up regretting it.
Now the witch is sitting beside me in the garden. I went into my hut and brought out a blanket, and we’re seated upon it, staring at the moonflowers at the forest’s edge, waiting for them to unfurl.
She’s sitting close enough to touch, but I’m very careful tonottouch her. I can feel the heat she puts off from here, and combined with her close proximity, my head is starting to spin.
I’ve not felt like this in a long time. Not since I was a young man falling in love for the first time, then getting my heart broken when she decided I wasn’t what she wanted.
Since then, I’ve kept to myself, have kept my head down. Plants are so much easier thanpeople, and they never lie or manipulate or mislead. They wilt when they need water or sunlight or soil amendments. They bloom when they’re good and ready. They communicate without needing to say a word. And I like that about them. They’re predictable, safe.
Unlike witches. Especially fire witches. Especiallythisfire witch.
My gaze slides to her.
She has her knees pulled into her chest, her arms draped around them. Her hair is down today, chaotic curls falling all around her shoulders and down her back. She’s not grumbling or scowling or setting fire to anything, and in the darkening night, I almost think she looks luminescent, like a fire burns just beneath her pale freckled skin.
I think of the gloves hidden away in one of the crates she helped me bring in. Should I give them to her now? Would that be strange? Too much?
Am I misreading this whole thing? Maybe she really did just want to bring me cupcakes and watch the moonflowers bloom. That’s innocent enough.
But women have never made sense to me, and Lyra Wilder is no exception. I can’t read her well, don’t know what her glances or lingering looks mean.
I’m a lost cause.
And I’m trying desperately to figure out what to do when Lyra lets out a small gasp.
“Look!” She points, and I follow her finger to the moonflowers, which are slowly starting to uncurl their creamy white petals.
And from deep inside their stalks, they begin to glow.
But despite their beauty, I find my gaze being pulled back to Lyra. She’s leaning forward now, crimson eyes wide, mouth lifting into a slow-spreading smile.
She’s what’s beautiful, I think.
And I’m so screwed. Because I’m pretty sure I’m falling for her. For astudent.
Fuck me . . .
“They’re glowing,” she says. “I didn’t know they glowed...” She pushes to her feet and glances down at me. “Is it okay if I...?”
“Sure.”
I remain seated on the blanket as Lyra moves toward the flowers. As she draws near, their glow catches her face, turning her skin a shimmering shade of silver. Her smile fades slowly, until she’s staring at the moonflowers with a focused expression, as if they’re a mystery she’s trying to solve.
Meanwhile, I think she’s the mysteryI’mtrying to solve.
Why her? There are other faculty members here who’ve shown an interest in me, who’ve invited me to dinner or drinks, who’ve tried to get to know me. And I’ve turned them all down. I’ve never been interested in disrupting my calm, predictable life for the chance at something with someone.
But Lyra arrived here like a firestorm. She came into my life without any permission from me, and slowly, week by week, she started to warm something inside me that has been long frozen. And now I’m starting to burn for her.
