Page 87 of Sweets and Sycamores
Allie reached for a napkin, but Dom was quicker. His hand moved to her nape, setting dark green eyes on her lips as she turned to him.
“I got it.” He leaned in and kissed her softly, once, then his tongue traced her mouth, sucking her lips between his teeth one by one, cleaning her up.
“You’re right. It’s better if I don’t know too many details,” Mia conceded. Allie laughed against Dom’s mouth before he kissed her again and leaned back into his chair.
“Sorry,” Allie mouthed the lie to her friend, who waved a hand and rolled her eyes.
“Allie, you told me to remember to tell Dom something right before you went into a living, raging fire like a crazy person. I obviously forgot, but?—”
“Oh gods.” Allie jumped up, a disoriented baby dragon soaring from her lap and spitting steam to defend them from unseen dangers. The discovery had completely slipped her mind, with the threat to Brandon’s house and then… Well, then today. But this could be a real chance for them, and Allie didn’t want towaste any more time. She grabbed Dom’s hand and pulled him to his feet.
“What’s wrong?” He went into full-scowl, offensive mode at the panicked and excited look in her eyes.
“Dom, it’s the waterfalls.”
Chapter 32
CAN YOU FEEL IT?
Allie dragged Dom out of the coffee shop, rushing in a flurry of coats and scarves, a confused baby dragon flying around them.
“Lead us to the waterfall!” Allie told Ekko, who took to the skies and led the way.
They ran to the end of Maple Street before Dominic stopped abruptly.
“Allie, wait.” Dom tugged at her hand until she halted, loud, unladylike gasps coming from her mouth. Gods, she was out of shape. Dom smoothed the hair away from her face and placed his palms on her cheeks, forcing her to calm down, breathe, and get lost in his green eyes.
No.
Don’t get lost, Allie. You have one job.
“Dom, let’s?—”
“I will follow you into the deepest, darkest forests, in this world and any other, but for the love of all gods, breathe, Allie. And tell me, why are we running like lunatics? I’m sure we can spare thirty seconds to exchange this information.” His eyebrows rose playfully, and Allie couldn’t resist laughing during the rare times he attempted a sarcastic comment. Dominicleaned down and kissed her, squeezing her cheeks so her lips smooshed together under his.
Allie inhaled loudly, making a show of proving to Dom she wasbreathing, as he had insisted.
“I think the magic is broken behind one of the hidden waterfalls.” Dom furrowed his brows, and Allie took his hand and resumed walking instead of “running like a lunatic.” She told him her theories as they followed the purple dot above into the thick forest.
“How far have you gone to search?” Dom muttered as they passed through the trees and bushes. He walked in front of her and kept any overgrown branches at bay until she ambled by them. The murmur of water grew with each step, and so did Allie’s heartbeat. They kept quiet except for Dom’s occasional sighs, which were loud enough for his sister to hear all the way across town.
“Should be around here,” Allie mused. A moment later, Ekko flew down to them and pointed his snout ahead. Allie scratched him under the chin with her free hand. “Here we are.”
They entered the secluded clearing where the waterfall tumbled down in a roar, peaceful and assailing at the same time.
“Have you already checked this place?” Allie figured she should have asked this before, especially when Dom looked at her with a very clear “You’re only asking me this now?” expression.
He kneeled down and placed his palm on the ground, his focus visibly shifting from being her… Her what? He wasn’thers.Was he?
To a Mage. He was in his full Mage mode. Assessing.
“I haven’t,” Dom concluded.
Yes!
The chance that she might be right sent a fresh surge of excitement racing through her.
“All right.”
