Page 49 of Reflections of Peonies
My insides twisted with conflict because now I owed him a debt. I didn’t like owing people.
Speaking of owing people… I needed access to my funds. Bryce was an obstacle that I would need to learn to navigate.
“Hey Miles, how do I…” My voice trailed off at the incredulous look on his face. “What?”
“Just now!” The witch had moved to his feet, pointing at me. “As you were turning away, you had a look on your face. Then you went tense. What were you thinking about?”
I pursed my lips. “What look?” Was he delusional?
“It’s an evil look—like you’re about to do something terrible!” Miles stepped back as his voice raised in a pitchy way. “You weren’t thinking about me, were you?”
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. “I wasn’t thinking aboutyou,” I reassured him. “If youmustknow, I was contemplating Finn’s punishment.”
“Oh,” he replied, returning his arm to his side. “You’re still doing that? What is it this time? Are you still going to kill him?”
I frowned, looking at Miles disapprovingly.
“No,” I said. I couldn’t believe he would consider such dramatic extremes. “I’m going to stomp on him. Perhaps I might push him, too. Why would I kill him?”
“But…” Now, Miles seemed confused. “Yousaidyou were going to destroy him. You said you were going to kick him in the balls. What happened to that plan?”
Oh, that.
I waved my hand in the air. How simpleminded he was. “Plans are always subject to change depending on the circumstances. Punishments must always reflect the nature of the crime. And right now, he deserves a good slap.”
“You literally just said you were going to stomp on him,” Miles said. “And within the span of five seconds, you changed it to something less violent!”
“But I can’t hit him in the face…” I muttered, touching my chin. It was terrible enough Bryce had been ripped apart by a demon. I didn’t like to see so much pain and suffering.
I should probably wait until after Bryce was better. Just how did he become so damaged in the first place?
Whatever, he probably did something to deserve it.
“Where’s my money anyway?” I glanced back to Miles. “Damen said Bryce had my money. Where is Bryce? Is he at the school?”
Miles’s eyebrow rose slowly. He studied me as if he’d never seen me before. “Now you’re looking for Bryce? He’s canceled classes today.”
I nodded, pulling my hospital gown away from my body andglancing at it disdainfully. The smell made me gag. Why in the world hadn’t Titus insisted I bathe last night? “I need to take a shower. Where is there a shower? I need to go shopping.”
“What in the world is going through your head? You’re making all sorts of plans.” Miles sounded amused.
“I guess my classes can wait until Monday,” I added. “But I also need to go to the registrar’s office,” I said. Damen could cry all he wanted, but I would have the last laugh.
As I mentioned the school, Miles suddenly looked away, and my attention was directly drawn to him. I narrowed my eyes. Didn’thehave classes today? “Why aren’tyouin school?” I asked.
His skin flushed as he clasped his hands together in front of him. “I wanted to make sure you were okay. I missed you.”
My mouth shut as the lecture died on my tongue, and my heart melted. How was he so precious?
And yes, I’d missed him, too. It should have been simple, but my lips wouldn’t form the words. It was easy to be with him, but had we ever discussed this strange arrangement? I’d talked to Damen, Julian, and now even Titus—but never him.
But… I bit my lip and looked at the ground.
I wasn’t brave enough to broach this conversation.
“Oh, come here,” he said in a gruff voice. He grabbed my smock and pulled me into him. The top of my head fit perfectly under his chin, and his arms held me to him. I could feel his heart pounding and hear the shuddering intake of his breath. “You don’t need to be the brave one this time.”
I curled my fingers against my cheek. What was this warm feeling spreading throughout my skin?
