Page 62 of Those That Defy the Realm

“Have you talked about any of this with them?”

“Yes, of course.”

“And they don’t see the issues?”

“Well, yes they see the issues but they want to find a way to make it work.”

“There you go then. I don’t think Henry could fail at communication if he tried. Ash maybe less so.” She laughs and I can’t help but join in. “Ash is rather actions first, talk later. But you’re also sensible. If you want it to work, you’ll find a way.”

“When did you turn into such a positive romantic?”

“Because I found my mate.” Her smile is truly infectious. “And when you’ve fought what I have to be with them it makes you realise that sometimes sheer stubborn will can help overcome a lot.”

Staring at my best friend, it dawns on me that I don't really know half of what Rory has been through over the last year, and I see her eyes go from soft to sorrowful and back. When did my friendship with her become so distant? Obviously, the last year has changed us both, and we’ve had a significant period of time not in each other’s lives, but looking at her now I see that a gap has been appearing long before that.

Maybe Declan was successful in his mission to isolate me, I never told Rory, nor Bree, half of what I went through with him. I kept most of it secret out of embarrassment. I think that might’ve put a wall between us without me noticing. We’ve been present in each other’s lives, but not really here for one another. That thought washes a sadness over me so strong my eyes ache like I might be about to cry.

“Tell me about it?” I ask her.

She cocks her head, assessing me like I was just assessing her. “I thought I had.”

“No,” I say, grabbing her hand and leading her back to the bed, jumping on it myself and getting comfy. “Really tell me about it. Those few phone calls and that hour we grabbed when you first arrived back were the cliff notes, I’m sure. I want to know everything.”

Rory shuffles on my mattress, crossing her legs and fiddling with her hair before giving me a small smile. “Only if you do the same, I want to know everything about you from the last year, from graduation right up to how you ended up hooking up with two males!”

We talk for hours, I stuff myself with pizza and we share a bottle of wine; I get more tipsy than she does but it doesn’t matter. We open up and we spill all our secrets, just like we used to when we were teenagers on the brink of adulthood.

At one point, where she tells me about how she fled Froan, she has me in tears, and then she cries when I tell her about how Declan used to guilt me into cancelling plans with her and Bree.

We end up calling Bree as well, who has just completed a performance and is going about her post show routine. We keep her on video call and lay everything on the table once more. Bree gets mad at me initially, then she fumes about Declan. She also berates Rory for not yet seeking some professional help to support her with her trauma.

When Rory points out that there isn’t exactly a directory of vampire therapists and that she couldn’t exactly talk about her trauma without exposing herself and her pack, Bree calms down. But she makes Rory promise to offload to us both in the future.

It warms my chest to know that Henry played a key role in Rory’s healing. And that Ash’s family gave her a place of safety when her and Ty needed it.

I hope I get to meet them someday.

Bree is surprised by my double boyfriend news and asks us both a million questions about them, seeing as Rory knows them as well. She demands I send her pictures and declares me a “lucky bitch” when I oblige.

Midnight comes and goes before our conversation lulls. It’s only as Bree tells us that she must go, as she has to be up and at rehearsal early the next morning, that we realise how late it’s gotten. Rory, too, decides to leave, feeling a tad guilty for having Atlas and Antares waiting outside for her all this time.

Slipping into bed after saying goodbye to my friends, I plug in my phone and check the thread with both Henry and Ash. I think they’d planned on doing something together tonight, and whilst I feel a twinge of something that is aligned to missing out I don’t feel the niggling sensation that I have done, the one that says they would be having a better time together because I wasn’t there.

I decide to type a message, which is probably the first time I’ve ever instigated the conversation.

CLAIRE: Miss you both, hope you had a nice evening.

With the late hour, I don’t expect a reply but one instantly comes through. It’s a picture of Henry. It takes me a second to work out but he’s asleep, his head on Ash’s chest. Looks like they did manage to get some alone time.

ASH: This one passed out on me hours ago. I’ve been stuck watching videos on my phone.

Miss you too, darling. Been thinking of you. Did everything go well with Rory?

CLAIRE: Yes, she’s happy for us. I also told our other friend Bree. It’s been a good evening.

ASH: I’m glad, although I didn’t think Rory would be anything but supportive. Tell me you’re working at the ranch tomorrow. I need to see you.

CLAIRE: I’ve got to go into the office in the morning, but yes, I’ve booked to be there all afternoon.