Page 67 of Woven Souls

I walk between Viktor and Theo and head to the kitchen. Willow is pulling some vegetables out of the oven as I approach her. The minute she places them on top of the stove, I come up behind her, grab her hips and turn her around to face me. Her eyebrows fly upwards as her hands land on my shoulders.

“Woah, oh, Jonah, what’s—”

“I love you.”

Willow’s jaw drops open.

“I just wanted you to know that. It’s not this bond, and it’s not because your dad said we’re mates. This is just me letting you know how I feel, how I’ll always feel, and hopefully how I’ll makeyoufeel one day.”

I don’t wait for her to respond. I lean down and kiss her. It’s not deep or passionate, but short and sweet. When I pull away, she smiles up at me.

“Well, if this is the response I get for making dinner, I’ll take it.” She giggles as she throws her arms around my neck.

Grinning, I wrap my arms around her waist.

I may not have started out with a purpose, but I have one now.

Chapter16

WILLOW

The next day is a blur.

As Theo strategizes how best to get to Everlast with the others, I put together several different orders online. Within hours, bags of stuff are dropped off at the door. The guys got a few more outfits, as did I. I ordered food that would travel well, and we each get our own large backpack so we can pack everything up without having to share.

Tomorrow, we’ll set off to Everlast.

Although the guys are clearly anxious about this, I can tell they are a little excited too. They’re going home at last… This has to feel bittersweet. I wish it was under different circumstances.

That night, I make them a hearty meal to keep their minds, hands, and mouths preoccupied. It does the trick. With everything planned and ready for tomorrow’s journey, conversation turns to fun stories and gentle teasing between them.

With full bellies and surprisingly lively conversation, the guys don’t notice when I slip out the back door.

I don't leave the steps. Rather than leaving the safety of the house, I just stand there staring at the pretty stone garden. Next door, the neighbors are playing soft classical music. I can hear their hushed voices as two people converse over what smells like dinner. Lowering myself to the first step, I smile. Date night. How… normal.

A sharp pang in my heart flares up only to immediately get extinguished. I used to long for that. But that was way back, when high school crushes would ignore me, or fear me, or in college when I’d have to break things off if things got a little too serious. Flings were one thing. Romantic moments like date night just weren’t in the cards for me, and I had come to terms with that.

Pushing aside the old yearnings, I prop my elbows on top of my thighs and place my chin on my fists. Other than the light music and soft conversation, it's relatively quiet. The air is cool and fresh, and the smell of roses is both pleasant and comforting. Despite sending the majority of the city’s spirits over the day before, I almost expect a few to show up. I’m rarely ever alone. Sometimes it’s an annoyance. Other times, I appreciate the company of others. That way I don’t have to be alone with my own thoughts and problems. Right now, I’m torn between relief and discomfort.

Because while the silence is nice, I have a lot to come to terms with.

What the others didn’t pick up on earlier when my father visited, I did. I don’t have just four mates. Fate had already paired me with ‘partners’beforeI tethered my soul to the others’, my father said. Indicating that it’s not just Kwil who fate tied to me originally. There is a fifth. I hadn’t pressed for answers. I didn’t want to know any more. I have four men inside to come to terms with first.

Soft laughter drifts over the stone wall that separates the properties.

Swallowing hard, I turn my attention to another issue. Dad wants us to look into the Fae. I’m sure he understands how dangerous the request is, given everything we’ve told him. The fact that he asked us to do it in the first place is telling. Something must be happening in the afterlife for him not to look into it himself.

What wasn’t he saying during our conversation today?

That’s the thing with Dad. There’s a lot he can’t say. Rules apply to him just as much as they do to others in the Realm of the Dead. What did he say? That the reapers can’t come over, but why? And what chaos is happening over there? I don’t really know what my dad does, but I know it keeps him busy. Try as he might, seeing him even twice a year is rare. For him to have broken away from whatever keeps him occupied means I really must have scared him.

“Willow?”

I nearly jump at the sound of Kwil’s voice. I sit up, look over my shoulder, and watch as he steps out onto the stoop with me.

“What are you doing out here? It’s not safe to be out here alone.”

“I just needed some air.” A tight smile pulls at my mouth as I look back out at the backyard.

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