Page 57 of Conform
Nora’s eyebrows raised. “You did that on a whim in a dress and heels?”
“I did it barefoot.”
“Your shoes are in my room,” Collin said as he pulled out my chair and took the seat next to me. “Phillip brought them.”
“Thank you,” I muttered as I grabbed my tea.
“Do you like to run?” Nora asked. “I have never seen the point.”
As an Elite with an Illum sibling and her life in the clouds, what could she need to run from? “I did when it was permitted.”
Nora hummed appreciatively as she sipped her tea. “You make the best cup of tea, Phillip.”
He smiled. It was the first time I had seen him do so, and he instantly looked younger. “After two decades, I’d like to think I can get it right.”
“You’d be surprised. This one”—she gestured to Collin—“never puts enough honey in it.”
Collin shook his head. “Most people enjoy tea with honey, not the other way around.”
Nora rolled her eyes, leaning into Phillip, her head resting on his shoulder. The movement was effortless, like they had done it a thousand times. Phillip tilted his head toward hers. I stared at the two of them, the closeness.
Nora noticed, smiling as she sat up. “We’ve known each other almost our whole lives. We are the same age. We grew up together at the Academy.” She scrunched her nose at Phillip.
The tea was bitter—like me. I set it down. “I didn’t know how you take your tea,” Phillip commented. He knew Nora, and I was a stranger.
“Were you guys ever Mated?” I asked. Phillip and Nora laughed.
“Never, could you imagine?” Nora said, placing a hand on Phillip’s shoulder. Phillip shook his head, his curls bouncing. Collin downed his cup of tea, pouring another. “I used to joke that while I had a twin”—she pursed her lips at Collin—“I also had a brother.”
Phillip and I locked eyes. Nora withdrew her hand. I took another sip of tea, hoping the heat would burn away the knot in my throat. I forced myself to focus on the aspect of her comment that didn’t twist the dagger in my chest. The side of my leg grew warm as Collin leaned forward. He placed a spoonful of a golden substance into my tea without a word. I glanced down to see Collin’s leg still warm against mine.
“Twins?” I asked, looking between Nora and Collin. Twins were unheard of.
They shared a look before Collin answered: “Yes, we were the first documented case in several hundred years.”
“Your birth parents must be thrilled.” I took a sip of tea, a sweetness there from Collin’s addition.
Collin nodded, a shadow crossing his features. “They were.”
A silence fell, and we turned to our plates. The taste of their food reminded me just how ravenous I was, and I tried to pace myself, the others all taking polite bites in silence. My stomach rejoiced.
Recognizing the gold-dusted chocolates, I reached for them, then hesitated. Was I allowed to eat them now? Was there a polite way to eat this much food?
“We are alone, Emeline,” Collin said. “Eat the chocolate whenever you please.”
My eyes went to Phillip and Nora.
“They do not count,” Collin told me.
“That’s rude,” Nora claimed haughtily.
“You wound me,” Phillip said as his hand found his chest.
“I’ve watched you eat an entire chocolate cake in one sitting, Nora,” Collin retorted, taking a bite.
“I’ve seen her eat two,” Phillip countered, smiling, staring at Nora like she was the only one there.
“I dislike you both,” Nora insisted as she eyed the chocolates.
