Page 26 of Mending Mayhem
Ash shrugged and traced her finger on the counter. “With my defective magic, I always felt like the outsider. I idolized you for your bravery and fighting skills, but I never thought we had much in common. I guess we never sat down and had a real conversation.”
My throat thickened, my fight-or-flight instinct begging me to walk away before I showed vulnerability, but I fought it. This could be a moment for us if I could get out of my own way and let it happen.
“I guess I don’t have real conversations with anyone. Showing emotion in battle can get you killed, and… I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” The pressure in my eyes threatened to come out in liquid form.
“There’s nothing wrong with you. Everyone’s brains are wired differently.”
“Absolutely nothing is wrong with you. You are a goddess.”
I laughed, and a tear slid down my cheek. “I’ve always been envious of your relationship with Cinder. I’ve secretly wanted to be your confidant since you learned how to talk. But I was the one who needed to learn. I just… Goddess, I don’t know. What good are words when I can’t even string them together in the right order?”
Her brow furrowed, her eyes holding sympathy. “Cinder has always been easy to talk to, so I confided in her out of habit. I’m sorry I didn’t try very hard to talk to you.”
“You shouldn’t have had to.” Another tear fell, and I wiped it away. “I’m so sorry, Ash. I’m sorry for never being there for you. For never truly listening.”
She rose and wrapped her arms around me. “You’re here now. That’s what counts.”
I sniffled and held her tight. “Yeah. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. I love you, Ash.”
She pulled away, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I love you too.”
“We’re going to get through this. Whatever it takes, I am…we are…going to end this curse and set everything right again.”
“Or die trying.” She smiled sadly and inhaled a shaky breath. “See you in the morning?”
I nodded and wiped the moisture from my cheeks.
“Good night, Em.”
“Night.” I stayed in the kitchen and watched her walk away. When she disappeared into her bedroom, I double-checked the wards and turned off the lights before heading to mine.
I showered and put on my pajamas in silence. My chest was still tight, my throat thick from our conversation, but the rest of me felt lighter, like a weight had been lifted from my soul. I snuggled into bed, lying on my side and pulling the blankets up to my chin.
“You’ve been awfully quiet,” I said.
“What would you like me to say?”
“Anything. You just witnessed the deepest conversation I’ve had in my entire life. Don’t you have a snide remark about me showing weakness?”
He remained silent for so long, I almost fell asleep. “Your discussion moved me. Your emotions were familiar yet foreign at the same time, and I don’t believe you showed any weakness at all. I found your confession brave and inspiring.”
A smile tugged at my lips. “You think?”
“The more I get to know you, the more convinced I am that we are destined for each other. You make me feel…whole.”
“Well, you make me feel like a crazy person talking to herself.” I clamped my mouth shut. I’d had a sister bonding moment with Ash, and that was enough feelings talk for one day. Because I honestly had no idea how I felt about Mayhem.
Okay, that was a lie. I did know how I felt…or how I was beginning to feel…and I wasn’t anywhere near ready to unpack all that. Hecate, have mercy.
“Goodnight, Your Royal Pain In My Assness.”
His chuckle reverberated in my soul. “Good night, sweet witch.”
I slept blissfully dream-free, letting my subconscious process the day so my conscious mind didn’t have to. I might not have woken until the afternoon if the sound of shattering glass hadn’t yanked me into the land of the living.
I sat up and peered out the window at the back alley, where an imp was using my van as a trampoline. “Oh, for Satan’s sake. Chaos!”
I marched out of my bedroom to find Ash and her demon having breakfast. “Come outside and get your minion under control so I can vanquish him. The effing little bugger shattered my windshield.”