Page 69 of The Stone Secret
The pull between us is too strong.
It’ll get worse the longer we’re together.
“Once we have Romi back,shecan leave,” Orix says. “There’s no need for you to go.”
“No. I won’t reunite them just to force them to part.”
“You might not need to,” Selas says. “Romi may not be capable of taking back his elite spot.”
There are too many unknowns right now. “The only thing I can be certain of is that if a distance isn’t enforced between us, then we will fail. The pull between us is too strong, and our will to resist too weak. Hate will keep her from me.”
“Dammit,” Orix says softly.
I’m suddenly bone weary. “Can you two handle her training for the next week? Lionel put me in charge, but he won’t know any better if we don’t tell him.”
“Of course,” Selas says.
“I’ll help too,” Prasan says. “I’m so sorry, I should have remembered to pass on Cameron’s message.”
I pat his shoulder as I walk past. “Get some rest.”
The image of Cam’s distraught face plays over and over in my mind’s eye. I’ll never forgive myself for hurting her.
But at least this way I won’t be the cause of her demise.
CHAPTER28
SHARNIZA
“And you have to keep stirring like this,” Touron says to Derek, moving the spatula in figure eights in the pan to scramble the eggs.
Derek looms over Touron, his diamond eyes watching every move carefully. He’s a head taller than Touron, his shoulders wide and powerful, taking up so much space at the stove that Touron has to stand to one side.
“Here, you try.” Touron hands over the spatula.
Derek begins to stir.
“Perfect,” Touron says. “Now you don’t want them to dry out, so when you take the pan off the heat, don’t let the eggs sit in it. They’ll continue to cook and go rubbery.”
“Cameron will eat this?” Derek asks in a voice that is deeper and gruffer than a few hours ago.
“Yep. She’s joining us for breakfast. Should be here soon.”
He nods. “And you will tell her that I made them for her?”
“Yep.” Touron butters some toast and pops it on a plate. “Eggs can go here.”
Derek slides the eggs onto the spot beside the toast. “Idid it.” He slides a glance my way, and our gazes lock. My pulse flutters, but I keep my expression neutral because what the fuck?
“Now pop it on the table next to her coffee,” Touron says.
“Those eggs look amazing!” Ginia says with genuine enthusiasm.
Derek beams at her, and knots form in my belly.
“You okay?” Palia asks, handing me a cup of coffee.
“I’m fine. Why?”
