Page 83 of Crown of Death
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Cyrus is a freaking charmer.
A snake when he’s in the politicalarena.
A family wooing, compliment slinging, belly-laugh inducing charmer in my family’shouse.
Where Dad was wary and unsure of Cyrus when we walked in, by the end of the night, he’s sitting on the couch and they’re both laughing about this or that like they’ve been friends for years. Even Eshan laughs and cracks jokes at my expense withthem.
Mom and I sit at the dining table after the dishes have been loaded. She watches the boys, her feet propped up on achair.
“I think you found a good one, Logan,” Mom says quietly. She watches Cyrus’ who laughs loudly at something Dad says. “Anyone who can make your father laugh like that… And I’ve never seen you look at anyone the way you look athim.”
I don’t know what to say. There’s so much she doesn’tknow.
But Mom isn’t the first one to saythis.
And hearing it… This is dangerous. I can’t fall for Cyrus. I justcan’t.
“He’s done something for you, Logan,” Mom says. She reaches across the table and takes my hand. “I don’t know what it is, but you’re just…lighter, in a way, than you have been in a long while. I’m glad you’ve found someone who makes you sohappy.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I say through a tightthroat.
The hour grows late. Nine o’clock. At ten o’clock my parents send Eshan to bed, which really means he’s just going to go watch TV in his room. I hug him goodnight.Goodbye.
I’m really going to miss the moody littleprick.
For an hour the adults sit in the living room. Cyrus plays his part well, tucking me into his side, wrapping one arm around my shoulders, holding my hand. And it’s just a natural fit, sitting with my legs over his lap. He twirls a finger through myhair.
Every moment of the night is pain. Every connection of my skin to his. Every fake loving look he gives myway.
I fall. Down a dark well with no end in sight. But all that can wait at the bottom of it is sharpspikes.
“Are you tired?” Cyrus asks quietly as the night grows darker outside and the hour pushes pasteleven.
I shrug, giving him a sleepy little smile for my parent’ssake.
“I know I am,” Mom says with a dramatic yawn. “As much as I love having you here, I think I’m going to have to give in and head tobed.”
Cyrus climbs to his feet and pulls me to mine, holding onto myhand.
“Thank you, so much, for having us over,” he says, smiling at my parents. Dad shakily gets to his feet, standing behind his wheelchair, bracing himself with it. Mom stands and hugs the both ofus.
“It was a pleasure, Collin,” she says with a broad grin. “I expect pictures from the both of you when you get toAustria.”
“Promise,” I say, and realize it’s likely one I won’t bekeeping.
With goodbyes that shred my heart into a thousand pieces, we end thenight.
As we walk down the sidewalk to the car, I look back over myshoulder.
“It won’t be the last time,” Cyrus says quietly. “You’ll be able to see themagain.”
I nod. “But it will never be quite the sameagain.”
Cyrus takes my hand and I look back at him. He raises it to press a kiss to myknuckles.
This one isn’t for show. Not for my family. Not forAmelia.