Page 93 of Stone Seduction
I sniffled, never wanting to break this hug. A safe place, a warm sanctuary to curl up in and let the rest of the world swivel.
But Luke needed me. I’d marked him. Markings might be assigned randomly but falling for him was fate. We were meant to be together. So, this buttercup must suck it up and be the gargoyle he deserved.
I can be better.
I can be better.
A good mantra to have. It gave me a shot of strength in the arm, leg, soul, ass. All of it.
I stopped crying, detaching myself from my sister. Man, the magic of hugs was unmatched.
Eden held my biceps, smiling. “Itwillbe okay.”
“Thanks, sis.” I patted her on the side. “You’re the best.”
“Let’s get you some tissues.”
“Yeah.” Tears and snot were not a good look.
A moment with the tissue led to a shower and a mug of scotch green tea. Afterwards, I sat with Eden on the floor, the pair of us focused on our mediation.
Candles surrounded us in a circle of light, the scent of lavender a balm to my senses. Clutching the rose quartz in my left hand, my mind opened, welcoming starlight and peace. Panic and rage leeched out of me, taken by the stars, repurposed into useful energy.
I can be better.
The crystal’s vitality filled me, the glow of its healing magic glistening around the edges of this starry haven. This is what separated me from the old Asher. This is what helped me help Luke.
This is what helped me help myself.
Meditation and crystals made me a better man, rising above the actions of knobheads like Seth or cheating ex-boyfriends.
Who cared about Billy being his bodyguard? Let them do their thing, let Seth be a petty manipulator. I’d come too far to let him break me again.
You will not have my feelings.
I took a deep breath, drawing in the wonderful, relaxing aroma of the lavender.
Eden took my hand. “Peace. Peace for my brother. Peace for me.”
She dabbled in this stuff, too.
I repeated her words, switching out brother for sister.
By the end of our session, I arrived in a better place. Steady Asher was back in the driving seat. I stood and drank from my second mug of tea, taking it over to the bar. Very soon, Luke would be back here making a cocktail or two. And I’d get to relish in his pleasure, his palpable passion on display again.
I perched on a stool, Eden taking the one next to me.
“So, tell me more about Luke.” She sipped her cherryade—her favorite drink.
“What do you wanna know?” I moved my fingers through the steam swirling from my tea.
“Whatever you like.”
I took a moment. “We’re more than friends. More than mark and human.”
“So I gathered. Tell me some facts.”
“Facts, eh?”
