Page 158 of Ex Somnis

Paul’s car is extremely nice to drive at five in the morning when there is nobody else on the road. The streets are empty and cold, and I get to the inn in under five minutes, which is either a personal record or a function of there being no traffic.

I park outside the cottage and walk around it to the garden, seeing them immediately.

Nevan is sitting on one of the swings wrapped in a blanket covered in stars and constellations.

Must be huge to drape around him like that.

Jasper is standing beside him with his arms crossed, his crystals around his neck, antsy and confused in a way I’ve never seen him before.

I break into a run.

Nevan looks up when I get close. The second he sees me, something in his shoulders drops. He’s obviously awake now, and before either of us says anything, I wrap my arms around him. His face ends up smushed against my chest, but I don’t care. One hand lands in his hair automatically, and Nevan makes that little sound. The one that always makes me want to do it again.

“You okay?” I ask, scratching his scalp.

“I am now.” The words come out muffled, followed by a small nuzzle.

Honestly, if he wants to become one with my boobs for the next hour, that’s fine.

I keep scratching as I look at Jasper over his head. “Did you wake him?”

“No!” Jasper looks offended. “He woke up himself when he was done.”

“Done with what?”

Jasper doesn’t answer, nodding toward the cottage wall.

My eyes follow the movement to find huge words spray-painted in red across the wall.

REMEMBER YOUR PROMISE

The hairs on the back of my neck rise. Not because of the words, but because I can guess whose words they are.

Jesus Christ, Lucien.

“What promise?” I ask the top of Nevan’s head.

“Don’t know.” He shrugs against me.

“If he knew,” Jasper says drily. “He probably wouldn’t need to remember it.”

“Fair point.” I look at the sentence again. “Okay. Let’s go inside. Nevan needs pants, and we need to think about this.” I look at Jasper. “Can you find something to clean that up?”

“Yeah.” He glances at the wall. “Give me a minute.”

I pull out my phone while Jasper heads inside, take a picture of the wall, and send it to Paul.

Unexpected early trip to the inn. We’re fine. Coming back soon with all the details.

I stare at the screen, then add,

Also, I borrowed your car.

Emergency borrowing.

Nevan was naked.

There. A complete explanation.