Page 59 of Guided by the Stars
“I’ll give you to the count of ten,” his husky voice vibrates through the room as his golden-tanned body rises. He makes a show, pausing for a brief moment before he spins, lifting one finger, followed by another. “I won’t touch you before then.” His eyes flare in challenge, lighting them on fire. I’m willing to bet this boy never loses.
“We’re at three, stop staring and run, Baby Girl!”
Oh, shit, what did I start?
I push the table forwards, and the sound of shattering glass works to my advantage, distracting this crazy god. I run towards the back door, flinging it open, and without looking back I yell over my shoulder, “Good luck catching me, Big Boy!”
“Five…Six!” his playful voice fades behind me as I flee. We both realize I have nowhere to go. Their wooden cabin is small, built in the middle of the woods surrounded by threats. It leaves me with only two choices, the trees at the edge of the lawn or the house. Both of which will end with Daemyn winning, I just refuse to go down without a fight.
Instead of the obvious path towards the woods, I turn, creeping along the edge of the house. Once at the huge rose bushes, I duck down out of sight and dare to glance back.
“Times up, babe.” His voice is loud, causing me to shrink back as he makes his way out of the house. He stands tall in the middle of the backyard, raking his hands through his damp hair, looking around, trying to decide which way I would go. I smile at the same time he does, watching him take off, sprinting into the woods.
Wrong way, sucker!
Once he’s out of sight, I run the circle around the house, then make my way through the front door to duck behind the couch. It’s a shitty hiding spot. There’s no doubt he willfind me soon. Yet here I sit with a smile on my face, holding down the giggles. The thrill of excitement takes over, making the world seem free without anything for us to worry about.
Not even ten seconds pass and his footsteps ease into the room as he inches closer, knowing exactly where I am.
“Come out, come out wherever you are, my beautiful girl,” his voice drops low into that seductive tone that only Daemyn can pull off. “There’s nowhere to hide anymore.”
I spring up, laughing and facing my captor head on. His cheekbones are high, pushed up with a boyish smile lining his face as he holds his head cocked to the side. He’s gloating, his proud face telling me he’s ready to claim his victory. “Give up so easily, babe?”
Despite knowing he’s fast and regardless of being caged, I take my chances anyway. I leap forward, jumping over the couch, and shock him for a split second. He’s too quick though. His hands grab onto my waist before I even make it to the door. “I win. Payback time!” he whispers into my ear as his hands start to move.
“Stop! No!” I twist and turn, squealing. Anything to try to escape him.
He has no mercy. One hand grips me tight, holding me in place, and the other glides up my side, sending me into a fit of giggles. “Daemyn” I yell out, pleading. My whole body squirms with each tickle he gives as we melt to the floor, collapsing together as we laugh. “Please, you win!”
With a happy sigh, he pulls his fingers away and sits up, leaning against the wall. “Nora, you’re something else. I have no idea how I lived without you,” his words come out light as he grins from ear to ear, facing me.
My eyes can’t help but scan the man smiling in front of me. From his neck down to his legs, he’s covered in thesemarkings, reminding him that his life isn’t in his control. He lives to serve. Something that makes Alexius walk around with a chip on his shoulder, cursing the world around him. Daemyn, though, won’t allow the load to drag him down. He accepts his role, believing that fate will one day change everything. His visions help to remind him that there is a change to the future. A designated purpose, letting him relax just a fraction. A way of thinking that makes Daemyn...well, him. Kind, loving, and easily becoming someone I can’t imagine life without.
“I don’t think I can give you up,” I whisper, pushing back the worry that keeps threatening my mind. It’s insane how much these two boys have grown on me. I can’t imagine this ending, yet there is no doubt that it will. Alexius is reminding me of that every day.
Without hesitation, Daemyn leans forward, pulling me into a powerful hug. “You’re too important to me, Baby Girl. I can’t let you—”
“Shit!” Alexius roars from the kitchen, followed by a loud crash, cutting off Daemyn’s words.
I freeze, unsure of what to do, letting Daemyn take the lead. “Your Beast is getting pissed. Let’s go before he throws a fit,” he says with a sigh, pulling me up along with him before walking back into the kitchen.
Of course, he’s ready to face him. He’s not tangled up in a hot and heavy battle. I’m never sure if he’s going to pounce on me or walk away, leaving me a burning ball of a mess. Whichever way, there is no turning back. With a huff, I tighten the knot in my boxers, brush through my hair, and follow him through.
“You got nothing ready. I needed the ham and whatever that cheese is,” Alexius’ tone is sharp as he stands over thestove keeping his back towards us, lacking the decency to turn around to face us. Go figure. We’ve had our few days of fun. Now he’s back to pushing me away. He makes it so hard.
“It’s called mozzarella.” Daemyn rolls his eyes, tugging me along towards our seats. “And sorry, I got distracted playing a game with our girl.”
I jump, startled by the oven door being slammed shut behind me and coil back when Alexius’ rigid body appears by my side.
Forget waking the Beast, we struck him with fire. His hands are balled into fists and the anger behind his glare crashes into Daemyn with clear warning. “Next time, skip the games you shouldn’t be playing,” he hisses through clenched teeth, challenging Daemyn enough that he stands.
I cower even lower into my chair, watching both boys, locked in place. Unspoken words are passing between each other. Electricity is flying through the air, prickling the hairs on my skin as both sets of eyes remain hard and determined, waiting for the other to back down.
“Boys.” Daemyn’s eyes flicker towards me as the pathetic plea escapes past my throat. Since being here, tension between the two has never been this strong. They’re a unit that I’m managing to crumble.
He sighs, reading my thoughts, and nods back towards Alexius before taking his seat. Alexius eyes both of us for another second and then disappears behind me, grabbing our plates.
I kept my mouth shut and my eyes down during our entire meal. Luckily, the strain faded as quick as it came, and the boys kept talking like nothing had happened. Almost all went back to normal, except for me. My body decided to go intooverdrive the moment Alexius stretched out his body, inching himself closer to me.
