Page 24 of Pocket Full Of Posies

“What have you been up to today?” I ask, doing what I do best and redirecting conversation away from myself.

“Mostly dealing with my family. A few more of my siblings arrived last night. My sisters.”

“You don’t sound very excited about them being here.”

“One of them I’m happy to see. She’s the best of us all. You remind me of her. The other, not so much. She’s far too much like our mother, and let’s just say is a handful on the best day and a knife in the back on others.”

I don’t have any sisters and my relationship with Sage is nothing like what he just described. Their family dynamic is way different than mine.

“I see.”

“But don’t worry, I won’t let them keep me from seeing you, Blossom.”

Kai reaches up and caresses the flowers in my hair. From my periphery they look to be geraniums and of course fucking jasmine. Thank goodness he doesn’t know jasmine’s mean I’m sexually aroused.

Fuck, what if my brother sees me with Kai and then notices the flowers? Does he even know what they mean?It’s okay. Just get it together Daisy. Think about something else and maybe stop staring at his throat and broad shoulders, and definitely do not look down into his lap.

Trying to compose myself I alternate looking at his face and out to the yard, hoping the jasmines fade soon. Before I have a chance to formulate a thought the back door bangs open and Sage stomps out, not looking happy at all.

Delphi leaps from her stool in surprise and hides under the bench swing. I can feel her little hands holding on to my ankles protectively. She knows Sage won’t hurt either of us. I wager the banging of the back door scared her is all.

“What are you doing here?” he sneers at Kai, who thankfully doesn’t flinch at my brother’s harsh tone.

“Just came to see Daisy.”

“Why?”

“Am I not allowed to? She’s never told me to leave before.”

My brother scowls and prowls closer, arms crossed over his chest, the calm sage color of his skin darkening in anger.

“What do you want with my sister? Sleeping with all the single humans in town wasn’t enough for you? You just had to get your hands on the innocent half-breed, didn’t you?”

“Sage!” I gasp in horror and embarrassment at the vehemence in his words. I’ve never seen him like this. He’s usually a pacifist, hates confrontation of any kind. And I’ve most certainly never heard him refer to me in such unpleasant terms.

“What? It’s true. He’s just looking to put another notch on his belt so he can brag about it to his friends, and maybe even rub it in his family’s face.” He turns his ire from me to Kai and continues. “I know how males like you operate and I will not let you drag my sister through the mud with you.” Sage points an accusing finger directly at Kai, who to his credit doesn’t flinch.

“I have no intention of dragging Daisy through the mud, as you so eloquently put it. She’s a beautiful, smart, and interesting female, and I could care less if she’s a half-breed. I don’t let things like that decide how I treat a person,” Kai speaks in a level but firm tone, meaning every single word he speaks. He can’t fake that and Sage knows it.

Jumping from my seat I place myself between Kai and Sage and face off with my brother. He’s taller than me and easily looks over my head at Kai, who I can sense standing as well.

“Sage, that is enough. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Unfortunately, I know exactly what I’m talking about. Even if he speaks pretty, flattering words.”

“No, you don’t.”

At the stubborn tone in my voice, my brother stops scowling at Kai and looks down at me. Face still stern but questioning.

“You’ve never spoken to him or spent time getting to know him. You’re judging him based on rumors, gossip, and predetermined beliefs based on who his family is.”

Sage’s face drops, along with his arms, in shock and defeat, realizing he’s doing the very thing he always told me not to.

“We don’t judge people without getting to know them first, right?”

He grumbles and looks down at the ground, his face twisting in regret.

“Right?”

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