Page 89 of Anywhere

Mari rubbed her eyes. “Tell me this first. Are you falling for him? Are you falling in love with Rhys?”

I narrowed my eyes at her. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“Just answer the question, please.” Mari mirrored my position, and once again, I saw a lot of myself in my cousin.

“I don’t do feelings.”

She stared at me. I stared back.

Her right eyebrow rose.

“Yes, I am. Fine. There, I said it. Happy now?”

The corner of her mouth curled up. Leaning forward, she held out her hand. I stared at it.

“Take it. You said you wanted to know, so take my hand.”

Reaching out, I tentatively laid my hand in hers.

“You ready?”

“I guess…Oh, fuck!” I swore as my mind was pulled into a whirlwind. I had to grab the table to steady myself from falling off the chair. When the swirling colour stopped, I was standing in a room with Rhys and Elewyen. I picked up a baby wrapped in a blanket knitted with my family colours from a bassinet. Warmth radiated from me as I smiled at Elewyen and Rhys. I could feel the love in my chest, and it made my heart hammer hard.

I gasped as I was suddenly back in the library. Tears streamed down my face. Glancing up, I met my cousin’s eyes. “You…you….”

“Yes, I see.” She stood from the table, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Rare didn’t begin to describe her ability. “I knew you’d come. I didn’t know about the gift you’d give me, but since you have, I’ve seen a lot more.” She pulled a book from the pile and held it to her chest. “Love him, Rook, and never look back. Hold on to both of them tightly and protect them with all you have. There is darkness coming. Darkness I cannot speak of and most I do not yet know, but I feel it to the marrow of my bones.” She pointed at the stack of books. “Read these, and if you’re wise, you should brush up on all the spells you can. Take my word for it. You’re going to need them.”

Mari walked towards the door, and I released the spell just before she reached for the handle. A moment later, I sat alone in shock, my mind still reeling from what I saw. That could be my life? Could I really feel like that? Was that my son? No wonder Rhys protected Mari so fiercely. If anyone ever found out…I shuddered at the thought. She would never be safe.

Grabbing the pile of books, I stood and left the library. I went up to my room, my mind still trying to compute what I learned. Flopping on my bed, I draped my arm over my eyes, planning to nap away the aches and the spinning in my mind.

A knock sounded at the door.

“Come in,” I called out, expecting it to be Liam.

“Ya ‘ave a bit a time?” came Elewyen’s voice.

Elewyen was standing in the doorway with a large book in her hands. She’d changed again into something else of Mari’s. She wore a long creamy sweater that fell off one shoulder and a black kilt. I found it sexy as hell.

“For you? Sure. What’s going on?”

I was shocked to see her. She blushed many times earlier, but seemed uninterested in anything else. I spent my shower picturing her in that short red skirt that kept distracting me before she would land a blow to my arm or leg. Now here she was, looking just as scrumptious as she stood in the middle of my room.

Elewyen walked towards the bed and held out the book for me to see. “Would ya teach me? Mari was gonna, but she needed ta head out. I’z wanna learn.”

My heart warmed that she came to me, and I sat all the way up and patted the bed. “Of course. I’m not sure I’m the best for you to learn from, but I’m happy to try.”

Elewyen got up on the bed and crossed her legs as she sat across from me. “You need to come here so we can both see the book.” I touched the spot beside me.

There was uncertainty in her eyes, but she shuffled around and sat close to my side.

Taking the book from her, I looked at the cover, The War of Twin Flames. As good as any place to start. Pointing at the first word, I looked at Elewyen.

“The. War. Of. Twin. Flames,” I said slowly, pointing at each word.

“Dee waarr a twin flames.”

“The,” I said, enunciating the “th” sound. “Or, as Rhys would say, da,” I offered, figuring that may be easier.