Page 25 of Hero of Havoc

“Do you think you might have time to see him tomorrow?”

I smile at the idea. “Of course.”

“Thank you. He might set me alight by then, but it's a risk worth taking,” he offers, making it clear he knows it’s too much to ask of me right now, and I can't help but grin at the hint of amusement to his tone.

Near the fiery flames at the Fire Protector entryway, I expect Baron to put his hand on my shoulder, but he extends it instead, forcing me to press my palm against his as I lead us inside the building.

We take the stairs one at a time, time moving slowly, the energy around us intensifying until we come to a stop outside of my door.

“Would you like me to do a sweep?” he offers, and I rub my tongue along my bottom lip before I nod.

He disappears from sight a moment later, entering my personal space, but all too quickly, he returns, opening my door wide with a nod. “You're all good.”

“Thank you,” I breathe, stepping over the threshold, but he doesn't move, so we're standing toe to toe, staring at one another.

My heart pounds wildly, and before I can realize I'm speaking, my tongue reveals the truth.

“I want to forgive you all, but I'm not going to forget.”

His hand lifts to my cheek, his thumb ghosting across my skin as he nods. “I want everything with you, Ivy. If that means your hatred too, I'll take it.”

I gape up at him in disbelief, swaying on my feet before he leans down, pressing his lips against mine.

My entire body explodes, tingling from head to toe as my nerves frazzle at his touch. All while I stand frozen, startled. I don't move for a second, but as he crushes his lips against mine, I lean up on my tiptoes, doing the same.

I’m undeniably intoxicated by his proximity and his lips against mine, but all too quickly, he leans back, releasing me from his captive hold.

“See you soon, Firefly,” he breathes, heading for the door without a moment’s pause, closing it behind him in one swift move.

I trace his steps, hypnotized, my hand splaying on the wood that parts us before I sway, spinning on the spot until my back leans against the door, and I let it take my weight. My fingertips press against my lips in disbelief, awe rippling through me as raw emotion dances across my tongue.

Hope.

7

IVY

Sunlight dances across my skin, luring me back to the land of the living, making my eyelids flutter as I sigh.

Clearly, I forgot to close the curtains last night, but I’m not mad at myself. I was so consumed by exhaustion, sealed with a kiss from Baron, that my brain short-circuited on anything else.

I sigh, snuggling deeper into my pillow as an air of serenity ghosts over me.

I already know it’s the next day. My stomach feels hollow, but I slept hard, plunged into one dream after another.

Not a single nightmare.

My chest tightens as a reminder flickers across the backs of my eyelids, and my fingers curl around my pillow. I dreamt of hope, of alternative moments in my life where no one shouted reject that fateful night, where I was held, cherished, and seen for who I am, not what I am, be it the Angel or the phoenix.

Knowing that isn’t reality doesn’t come with a sharp pain to the gut, and it catches me off guard. For the first morning ever, I’m waking up with the whole view on life, every angle, and I hate that I don’t hate it.

I should.

I should burn with anger that others made decisions for me, but there’s something about the four of them wanting to protect me, someone they didn’t truly know at the time, without a second thought. That level of care and selflessness is overwhelming, to say the least.

They could have told me when they came to collect me, or when I arrived on campus, but they didn’t, and there’s nothing I can do to change that. Besides, I can’t imagine knowing how to clear my throat and declare such truths either.

Would I have even believed them?