Page 71 of Reflections of Peonies
“It shouldn’t bother you much longer, though,” Julian said. “We all tend to recover faster than the basic human.”
I hummed, picking at the blanket.
“Shifters are the fastest to heal, of course,” Julian continued. “Followed by necromancers. Witches are the slowest, like they are in all things.”
“Hey!” Miles protested. He looked up from a seat at the bottom of my bed, where he’d slept overnight, and frowned at the necromancer. “That’s not very nice.”
Julian ignored him and touched my shoulder. “I think you’ll be fine to go out today,” he said. “If that’s still something you want to do.”
“Yeah,” I said. My gaze lingered in the corner of the room, where my overnight bag had been placed.
“Darling…” Julian sat on the bed in front of me, and I finally looked at him. “What’s on your mind?”
“Do—do you think it’ll look bad?” I asked, touching my neck, and Julian frowned. I brushed my fingers over the thick linen wrappings. “What if someone asks me about this?”
“You look as perfect as always. Also, you’ll be with Bryce, and he’s in a mood. So I doubt anyone will approach you.” Julian leaned back as he looked me over.
What was that supposed to mean?
“But if you’re that concerned, you can borrow something from one of us.” He glanced at Miles. “I’m sure that someone has something that’ll work.”
Miles jumped up and left the room.
I bit my lip. I was going to be alone with Bryce. I hadn’t thought this through. Curse Damen for bringing out my impulsiveness.
“What else is wrong?” Julian asked.
“Do you think it bothers him?” I asked, and when Julian tilted his head in question, I sighed, “Bryce. Aren’t he and Brayden really important outside of being Officers? Someone mentioned it at school once.”
Julian raised his eyebrow. “What would bother him?”
I curled my fists in my lap, and my shoulders tensed. “Me,” I replied.
He hooked his finger under my chin and raised my face toward his. “What about you?”
“Just…me,” I told him. Bryce wasn’t what I’d imagined my family to be, but I, with my history, was probably horriblydisappointing. “Do you think he’s upset about my past? Are they embarrassed?”
Julian froze. The swell of a shadow crossed his features, but then it vanished as quickly as it’d come over him. He shook his head before responding. “Bianca, he immediately went out and tied his name to yours.”
My nails dug into my palm. That was true, but he didn’t understand.
“Bryce and Brayden are the furthest thing from embarrassed,” Julian said. “In fact, I’ve never seen them so worked up.”
Miles returned, and I looked at him as Julian got up.
“Here.” Miles stopped beside the bed, holding out a black turtleneck. “I got this from Julian’s room. Wear this with one of your skirts.”
I glanced at Julian—was it okay?—and he only nodded before returning to his task. He was looking down at his phone as he touched his forehead, something else apparently on his mind.
“Besides, his arms are the scrawniest.” Miles pressed the pile into my arms, his lips turning up into a grin. “Because he’s weak. The sleeves will fit perfectly.”
Julian frowned, snapping to attention at Miles’s words. The distant look left his face. “What in the world are you talking about? I can beat you in combat.”
“Maybe.” Miles nodded. “But I have more power than you. That’s why everyone knows you’re the least intimidating.”
Julian’s brows furrowed. “Are you trying to annoy me?”
Miles pressed his hand to his heart, his tone light. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. These are the simple words of someone still awaiting a ‘thank you.’”
