Page 57 of Devastation
Lana cocks a brow at us and looks us up and down, "Are you guys okay? I think that's the shortest response I've ever heard you guys say in two lifetimes combined."
Her concern is real, and I immediately pull her into an embrace, kissing the top of her head and getting a petal stuck between my lips in the process. Leo wraps his arms around her from the other side, and we hold her between us.
Her muffled voice comes from between us, thick with sarcasm, "I don't think this is the most appropriate time for a twin sandwich, if you know what I mean."
I can't blame her for thinking we're trying to turn this into something sexual. Itiskind of our MO.
Murmuring against her head, I say, "We're just holding you, Lana. Let us do that for a few moments."
My words hold a glimmer of pain in them, even to my ears, and I know she picks up on it immediately. It's scary exposing your true self, and all you can really do is hope that your loved ones accept whatever version of you that is.
She turns between us to wrap an arm around each of us and whispers, "Okay."
Leo squeezes my arm, and I lock gazes with him. Tears shimmer in his eyes, unshed but dangerously close to falling. The moment steals my breath away, and I feel my own eyes dampening in response.
I've waited my entire life to see my brother face his emotions without anger and allow himself to genuinely work through them.
This is a moment I'll never forget.
However, that moment is shattered quickly as Ash yells, "You want me to do what?!"
Lana giggles from between us as we let her go. "You'd think she just asked the man to do anal with that type of response."
Her joke tilts both of our lips up into small smiles and clears the emotion from our eyes.
Glancing over at the commotion, I turn just in time to see Ash swat the ruby pendant away from him as he jumps back a few feet. "Did you not hear about what happened to me the last time I was infused with another soul? No fucking thanks, Grams."
Elizabeth's face softens from one of fury momentarily as the nickname falls from Ash's lips, but it only lasts about a second before she's yelling at him. "Listen here, young man! This is a family heirloom and youwilltake it! I willnothear another word about it."
"This is going to be interesting," Lana muses, clearly enjoying the exchange going on before us.
Her light-hearted nature right now is so soothing to see, especially in the midst of such chaos in all the realms. These moments are few and far between, and I'll give everything I have to make sure she continues to have these brief glimpses of joy sprinkled through the darkness coming our way.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Lana
The twins' sudden shift of energy worries me at first, but staring at both of them right now, I realize they're already giving off a more mature vibe. Something about them seems more confident, but I can't place my finger on exactly what it is.
"Hey, Anal! We're gonna whip up some food really quick. Work on the portal now or after food?"
Serenity's question pulls me out of my creepy scrutiny of the twins, and I notice a smirk on her face, as if she knows she is interrupting. Narrowing my eyes on her, I stick out my tongue, and in doing so think of Kinder.
I hope she's settling into her role and believing in herself.
Gesturing at the group, I shoo them with my hands. "You guys all go in and eat. I'm going to be out here with Ash and Elizabeth for a bit, but I'll be in shortly."
She nods to me and heads through her large front doors with her men in tow. Tilting my head up, I accept kisses from the twins, Zedd, and Hale as they pass by, following Serenity's men. When Hale's lips part from mine, his hand comes up to caress my cheek lightly as his breath fans against my lips with his words, "I love you for wanting to stand by his side through this, but you know part of this he's going to have to go through alone, right?"
Stretching onto my tip toes, I press another soft kiss to his lips before responding. "Yes. I just want to be out here long enough for him to feel grounded while he processes. As soon as I see that shift, I'll leave them to it."
His hand drifts down to squeeze mine before he turns away. "I'll save you a plate."
Smiling at his constant thoughtfulness, I switch gears to Ash's situation and close the distance between myself and the two soul mages. They're being snippy with each other, and I can't help but cackle, "You guys are getting along like family already!"
Ash glares at me, narrowing his eyes as he growls, "Whose side are you on?"
"Probably the side that's going to save your ass," Elizabeth murmurs, shocking me with her use of the small swear word. For some reason, I pictured her as being someone who frowned upon cursing, thinking it an unbecoming reflection of someone's character.
