Page 79 of Forged in Rain

He’s always so contained, and this . . . wow.

I’m still leaning against the wall, although it’s quieted down inside when Cyn’s sister Neveah approaches from the back door of the house. Her dark hair is pulled back in twin braids that look precious surrounding her pretty face, and she skids to a stop when she sees me but then moves forward with wide eyes.

“Y-y-you’re R-r-rain,” she says, her bright green eyes sparkling.

“Yes,” I whisper with a smile, wiping my cheeks. “And you’re Neveah.”

She smiles, and it’s beautiful, as she holds out her hand and says, “Come.”

Charmed, I take her pudgy fingers between my own and stand, following her around the house. We go down a small hill before stopping in front of a small patch of grass surrounded by river rock.

She sits on her knees, and following awkwardly, I fold onto the grass, careful of my ankle. With a sideways glance at me, she pats the silken strands with her fingers before turning her serious gaze to mine.

“C-c-cyn is my brother.”

“I know,” I say softly.

“Gram s-s-says he’s a b-b-bad one.”

“What do you think?” I cock my head to the side and resist the urge to brush back her hair as I would Joey’s. At the reminder, my heart thuds dully, and I hope wherever he is, he’s having a blast.

“He’s my brother,” she says simply, and I smile.

“That he is.”

She hums under her breath, playing with the grass, and quietly I sit beside her, soaking in her innocence while I can. I know there’s a shit ton of drama waiting for me in that damn garage, which is why I don’t feel guilty hanging out just a little longer.

“My m-m-mom left,” she says, breaking me from my thoughts.

“Oh?”

She nods, screwing her face into a frown. “Gram says she’s ahure, just like you.”

My mouth sours, but I smile just the same, although I have no comment. What can I possibly say?

“She says she’s not coming back.”

“I—do you want her too?” I’m helpless with this shit, but if this adorable little sprite wants to talk, I can hardly cut her off.

She shrugs and turns to me. “Do you like my brother?”

“Um, yes.”

“Do you love him?”

“Yes,” I say, shifting under her gaze. She’s got the same intensity as her brother, and I pity the guy who someday falls for this one.

“How do you know?”

It’s my turn to shrug as I look away, watching the sun give its final gasp in the sky. “I can’t breathe when he’s not around.”

“Veah,” Cyn says quietly, and she turns to him with a wide smile.

Dropping my gaze to my lap, I wait while he sends her inside, tensing when he stops before me.

When I don’t look up, he sighs. “Beauty.”

Finally, I raise my gaze and suck in a breath at his glittering gaze, blazing from his face like precious stones. He holds his hand out, and I wrap my fingers around his, my heart stuttering in my chest when he exhales slowly.

---