“Hell, man! It’s fucking good to have you back. Nothing’s been the same with you down. Me and AK have had to go on runs, just me and him, and it was fucking boring without you there to scare the fuck outta folk. AK’s too much of a fucking pussy to make folks piss themselves on sight. It’ll be good to have y’all back.”
Flame nodded his head, and AK said, “We got church soon. You coming? All the brothers wanna see you.”
Flame’s eyes flashed to mine. I could see his teeth grazing over the piercing in his tongue. He was anxious.
“I am going to my sisters. I shall wait for your return with them.”
Flame exhaled and said, “I’ll walk you up.”
Blushing under the heavy weight of Flame’s piercing eyes, I turned to walk away, when Viking called, “Little One?”
I turned knowing it was the name he used for me. He flicked his chin and said, “Don’t know what you did. Don’t really fucking care, but you brought him back from fuck knows where, and for that, you have our gratitude for life. You hear?”
Quickly nodding, I turned to walk to the line of trees. Flame walked beside me, and I asked, “Are you happy to see your friends?”
Flame kept his eyes straight forward, and answered, “Yeah.”
I frowned knowing he was thinking something else.
“What else are you thinking?” I asked.
Flame, without hesitation, replied, “That I would rather be in the cabin sitting near the fire, with you.” My heart leapt in my chest, when he added, “You draw and I like to watch you. I like you being near me. It’s better than standing under your window. I like being able to see you up close.”
I had not realized I had stopped walking until Flame stopped and looked behind. When midnight eyes fell on me, I felt my body tremble. I was so confused with the feelings accosting my body. I did not understand what was happening to me, and it scared me. But listening to Flame confess his thoughts to me, floored me.
“Why’ve we stopped?” Flame asked, and I could see his hands running over the handle of his blade at his side.
Forcing my feet to keep moving, I fought back the smile gracing my lips. “Sorry, I needed to catch my breath,” I answered as Flame fell into step beside me. As we walked up the hill, a question came to mind. “Flame?”
“Yeah,” he replied.
“I know that you like to sharpen your blades, but what else do you like to do?”
“I don’t understand?” he said quietly.
“I draw, and that makes me happy. I was wondering what makes you happy?”
I watched Flame’s face as his eyes flitted from side to side, when he said, “I watch you.”
Heat infused my body, and I whispered, “That is what makes you happy? To watch me? Does it not bore you? I am asking what makes you happy? What you like doing most?”
Flame shook his head, then his eyes that I adored so much, met mine. “Being near you. Seeing you.” I swallowed as his answer kept me frozen to the ground, and he looked from side to side again. “We’ve stopped again.”
This time, the responding smile on my lips could not be held be back. “I know. Let us go,” I said and felt his words play in every one of my steps, in every breath I took as we approached Mae and Styx’s cabin. Being near you. Seeing you…
Voices sounded up ahead, and as I broke through the trees to Mae’s house, Mae, Lilah, Beauty, Letti and Sarai were sitting out in the garden. When they saw me approach, Mae and Lilah jumped up from their seats.
“Maddie!” Mae exclaimed in relief, and running toward me, wrapped me in her arms. She pushed me back and roved her eyes over my body. “Are you okay? Is everything fine?” Her eyes snapped to Flame who was standing rigidly beside me.
Ducking my head, feeling my cheeks heat, I replied, “I am well.”
A new set of hands wrapped around me and I knew it was Lilah, I recognized the scent of her hair. “Sister,” she murmured, “I have missed you.”
Lilah pulled back and smiled, her mouth slightly higher on one side due to her scar. Lilah’s gaze then went to Flame. “Flame. Are you feeling better?”
“Yeah.” I glanced to Flame whose eyes were fixed on me. Beauty and Letti stood behind Lilah. Beauty addressed Flame. “Damn good to have you