Page 90 of May: Bloom & Bane

“What do I feel like to you?”

“Sunlight,” I say as I close my eyes. “When you’ve been in the dark for a very long time.”

“It’s funny,” she says sleepily. “To me, you’re like the clover Kyle rests under.” Her breathing evens, and her weight settles more heavily against my chest.

I look down at her, at the little mortal who calls herself Kyle, and I have never felt as lucky as I do at this moment.

“Goodnight, luváel,” I whisper. “I will always be your clover.”

—EDEN

Why is my head pounding? I peek one eye open, Sage. I crack the other, still Sage.

I shut both of them and pull the blanket over my head.

“Good morning, mí’aevúna,” he says.

“Say that again in about five hours. I haven’t woken up yet.”

A low chuckle rumbles through the mattress. It makes my brain feel like it’s bouncing against my skull.

“How much of last night do you remember?” he asks.

“If I’m honest, everything is kind of fuzzy after picking those fruits you grew me.”

“Oh,” he lets out a long sigh that seems to deflate his posture.

I groan into the pillow. “Did I do something… embarrassing?”

He doesn’t answer, so I pull the blanket down just an inch, peeking out. He’s sitting on the edge of the bed right next to my feet, his wings slumped on the floor.

“No,” he finally says. “You were… perfect, actually.”

I squint at his broad shoulders.

“Eden, you know how you asked me before about what you could call me in my language?”

“Yes.”

“Will you call me Vaelí?”

A small, sleepy smile tugs at my lips as I crawl closer. “Of course I will.” My fingers tangle in the hair at the nape of his neck. “What does it mean?”

His thumb brushes along my jaw. “I’ll tell you—when the time is right.”

I don’t miss the way his eyes don’t quite meet mine.

“Good morning, Vaelí,” I whisper next to his ear.

He lets out a small groan, pulling me closer until I’m pressed flush against him.

“Say it again?” he rasps.

I lean closer, licking the shell of his ear. “Vaelí.”

His whole body shudders, and he starts to flicker. His skeletal fingers wrap around my hip.

“Eden,” his voice cracks.