Page 19 of A Beautifully Crafted Lie

Reaching up to tap on his window once more, I feel warmth instead of cold. Soft skin instead of a glass pane. I look up to see him looking down at me. His hair is a tousled mess, and his chest is bare.

“Bryn?” His voice is still thick with sleep. “What are you doing here?”

“I…”

He looks past me. “Dammit, Bryn, you’ll get us caught!” he exclaims in a whisper. “Come in quickly.” He opens his window wider, and dread washes the colour from my face. This is going to hurt a shitload. I reach up, grab hold of his arms, and wince.

He studies my expression for a brief moment. “Wait right there.” Then he disappears back into his room.

TEN

BRYNDIS ASHGLO

Without the presence of a distinguishable outward sign, Bouldermore’s guard has been tasked with identifying all actions, characteristics, or possessions that seem to be out of the normal. These are then used to categorise seemingly harmless folk as witches or warlocks.

The Legends of The Forgotten, by Tibor Harper

Declan’s room is completely dark, save for the moonlight streaming in through his open window. He closes the door, careful not to make a sound. Walking past me, he rakes his fingers through his tousled red hair with an agitated huff of breath. The muscles along his back flex, and I bite my lip.

“Will you…” I clear my throat.

“What?” He turns to give me a sideways glance.

Guilt flutters in my stomach like a thousand startled birds begging to break free. Stepping away from the door, I pick up the first object I see on his dresser. “Where did you get this?” I change the subject.

“Coward,” the creature says with a bored sigh.

“Will I… what?” Even in a whisper, his tone deepens.

“Is this new? I don’t remember seeing this before?” I focus on the paperweight like a fool. It’s nothing more than a polished quartz orb, like a milky ball of shattered glass.

“Bryndis.” He raises his brow. “What did you want to ask me?” He walks over, a smile broadening his face. My cheeks heat as he closes the space between us. Declan comes to stand so close that I feel the heat radiate off his skin, still warm from sleep, unlike mine. He towers over me, forcing me to bend my neck in order to meet his gaze. When our eyes meet, I glare at him.

“Bryn.”

“Yes,” I snap.

“Ask me the question.”

“Just give me a minute, alright!” I press my lips into a firm line.

“Bryn.”

“Have I ever told you how irritating you are?” I narrow my eyes at him, which only causes his smile to widen. “A six-foot lump of pure annoyance!”

“Bryn.” My name is a hum on his lips. It’s all he needs to say to push his point across. He wants me to ask him my question, and he won’t stop being a colossal pain in the ass until I do.

“Fine! But don’t hate me.” My ears are on fire. I look away, not able to look him in his eyes, but with him so close, it only brings the rest of his body into focus. His chest and muscled abdomen… and then… he’s only wearing a thin pair of shorts.

“So, you like looking at me practically naked?” He leans in, bracing his hand on the wall behind my head. “Why, Miss Bryndis Ashglo, is this why you’re sneaking into my room at night?” He leans down, bringing his lips to mine. “I’ve been thinking of kissing you again all day.” His breath is sweet on my lips, hovering so close they brush against mine as he speaks. He smells like freshly cut pine and ginger and tastes the same.

“Run away with me,” I whisper. “Tonight!”

Abruptly, he pulls back, straightening himself in front of me. His frown is deep. “Now?” His eyes fall on the satchel still hanging from my shoulder. “Is this why you came?”

“Yes. I can’t stay in that place for one more day. Please, Declan. We’ve always said…”

“I can’t.” There’s a long pause where he looks down at his feet. Where I struggle to believe what I heard him say. My mind is a rush of thoughts. None coherent. “Not right now,” he says and walks to his dresser to remove a shirt from his drawer and tugs it over his head. His response is like a punch to my ribs as my lungs empty themselves.