Page 37 of Hero of Havoc

My cheeks burn hotter.

“We don’t want you walking anywhere alone,” Baron states, thankfully cutting to the point as his tongue flicks out along his bottom lip.

“But—”

“It doesn’t always have to be us, but it does need to be someone we trust,” Archer interjects before I can push back.

I’m only slightly irritated that they anticipated my complaint.

“That’s almost … fair,” I say with a heavy exhale.

“And we want to sweep your room so you don’t have to walk in on unexpected letters anymore,” Teddy adds, and my lips part, ready to fight for myself again, but right now, I could use the help. Both mentally and physically.

“I can’t argue with that,” I admit, butterflies swarming in my stomach.

For the first time, I’m having a conversation about my safety, not being spoken to like a child, and it feels refreshing. Sure, I’m agreeing to be escorted in most scenarios, but there’s no voice, just choice.

Archer clears his throat, eyebrows gathering slightly. “We did also want someone to protect you in here too, especially since your mom made an appearance again today, but… we want that bond to form naturally. If you want it to,” he rambles, making my eyebrows rise in surprise.

All I can do is gape for a moment.

That is…

Am I dealing with the same four men right now?

They’ve barreled through me and my protests at every given moment, yet here they are, seeking compromise before I can even grumble about the inconvenience.

Rubbing my lips together, I nod. “That sounds possible.”

My stomach chooses that moment to grumble again.

“Let her eat,” Baron states gruffly, opening my door and bringing the conversation to an end.

“Who do you want to walk with you?” Teddy asks, shuffling off the bed excitedly, and I scoff.

“Oh, I’m not choosing. It’s on you guys to figure that out,” I declare with a grin, happily heading to the door without a backward glance.

“Well, we all technically need to eat,” Sax says, and someone claps.

“Dibs!”

I barely make it over the threshold before the Water Protector is before me, hand extended in my direction. There was no mention of this, only that someone would be walking with me, but now that the truth has unraveled between us, I can’t stop craving more.

Before I can think better of it, I place my palm against his, and he laces our fingers together, tucking me at his side as he charges for the stairs. He moves fast, so fast I nearly trip, but all I can do is laugh as we make it out of the Fire Protector building.

I exhale, a sense of calm draping over me as the early-afternoon sun ghosts my skin. Paired with the gentle scent of wild flowers in the air, I’m in my element.

There’s not a single complaint in mind as I cut across campus with Teddy at my side and the others a few steps behind.

“I’m sorry about your mom,” Teddy blurts, catching me off guard, and my heart stutters for a moment as I blink at him.

“I’m sorry about yours,” I reply, and he huffs, looking straight ahead instead of at me.

“They’re the worst,” he surmises, and I nod.

“Always.”

His fingers tighten around mine as a thought comes to mind. “Any hint about what’s going on with Archer’s father and your mother?” I ask, and he grimaces, dragging a hand down his face before he turns to look at me.