Page 45 of Missing

Just as I was about to take my seat, Orlando slid into it, grabbed my hips, and plonked me down onto his lap. Yasmin gasped, her eyes wide with shock, while Jessica leaned in and sneered. "I'm not worried. They'll be back."

"Ha!" Orlando laughed, completely unbothered by her pathetic attempt at intimidation. "Not gonna happen, sweetheart. Harper is our central." He held out his palm, clicked his fingers, and a small flame appeared. With a flourish, he transformed it into a deep purple rose and handed it to me.

"Damn," I thought, feeling my heart race.

Jessica's face turned an interesting shade of purple as her voice cracked with fury. "You're bonded?" she screeched, practically falling out of her chair.

Orlando leaned in, his breath warm against my neck as he whispered, "We're mated," his tone dripping with satisfaction. Then, looking Jessica straight in the eye, he said, "So please do us all a favour and just fuck off now."

The dining hall seemed to hold its breath as tension crackled through the air. Jessica's eyes flashed, and without warning, she hurled her glass of orange juice straight at me.

"Shit!" I thought, bracing for impact. But instead of getting drenched in citrusy stickiness, I watched in awe as the juice stopped midair, mere inches from my face. Slowly, it made its way back into the glass still clutched in Jessica's hand.

"Griffin has water magic," Orlando murmured in my ear, his voice tinged with pride. "He would never allow a single drop to touch you."

My heart swelled with gratitude as I turned to look at Griffin. "Thank you," I whispered, my eyes glistening with unshed tears.

He just smiled, as if nothing had happened, he returned his attention to his menu, perusing it as casually as if he hadn't just saved me from humiliation.

"Fine!" Jessica stomped her foot like a petulant child and spun on her heels, storming off in a huff. Yasmin and Olivia hurried after her, their faces red from either embarrassment or fury—I couldn't tell which.

"God, I love a bit of daytime drama with my bacon and eggs," Melody chuckled as she settled into her seat beside me. Her words struck a chord, and I found myself craving the same breakfast combo. Leaning over, I tapped an iced coffee and bacon and egg roll on Dante's menu before doing the same on mine.

"Thanks, pup," he said, grinning up at me. "I was starving and worried it'd be rabbit food again."

"You don't have to get what I get," I replied playfully, "but I like that you do."

The comment seemed to catch him off guard, and his cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink. His vulnerability made my heart swell, and I suddenly realised how much I wanted—needed—to go all-in with them all. To bond with each one of them completely.

Fuck it, I thought, my pulse quickening. If this is what normal life looks like for my future, then I'm all about it. Who cared if we'd only met four days ago? If it felt sudden and strange? I wanted it. I craved the love and belonging they gave me.

Griffin's piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "You're projecting your feelings again," he said, his voice soft yet teasing.

"Shit," I muttered, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. "I don't know how I do it or how to stop."

He laughed, the sound both warm and comforting. "Well, aren't you lucky we have feelings for our first lesson today?"

"Really?" I asked, my blush deepening. "Maybe I can learn to stop doing it then."

Before I could say anything else, Orlando's arms wrapped around my waist from behind, his head resting gently against my back. "Projecting love and happiness isn't a bad thing, Harper."

His touch sent shivers down my spine, and I couldn't help but lean into him slightly, savouring the warmth and security of his embrace.

"Maybe you're right," I conceded, trying to ignore the way my heart hammered in my chest. "But I still want to learn how to control it better. I hate feeling like an open book all the time.”

Chapter 40

Griffin Talesmen

After we finished breakfast, I held my hand out for Harper and said, "Come on, let's get you to your first feelings lesson, shall we?" The words left my lips with a teasing lilt, but I knew she was nervous about the whole thing.

Harper hesitated for a moment before she reached out and grabbed my hand, her green eyes flickering with uncertainty. As soon as our hands touched, that familiar fire sensation ran up my arm to my chest. But this time, it wasn't as strong as before, and it wasn't as painful. It felt more like a lingering ember than a raging inferno, and I couldn't help but feel relieved.

Harper's green eyes widened as she looked down at her hand, still grasping mine. "It doesn't hurt as much," she said, a tentative smile curving her lips. "Before it was almost unbearable, now more of a burning pins and needles sensation."

I couldn't help but smile back at her, "Yeah, I noticed that too," I agreed. My mind raced with thoughts of what this might mean, but I didn't want to overwhelm her with theories just yet.

"Did you want to walk beside me?" I asked cautiously, testing the waters. "I'm not sure holding hands for a long period of time is going to work. The feeling's a bit...uncomfortable."

---