Page 75

BLAISE

The storm is still raging, but inside the car, it was like a fragile bubble of quiet – until she opened the door and stepped into the chaos like she belonged in it. Stronger. Steadier. Still scared, maybe, but no longer frozen.

The other two check in on her briefly, but the need tofixfalls over me. So I try, the only way I know how: with humour.

“Alright,” I call lightly as I catch up to her, flashing a grin to cut through the tension clinging to all of us. “Time to conquer this storm, one soft pillow at a time.”

She lets out a shaky laugh, the sound barely audible beneath the wind, but it’s there. Real.Progress.

I glance at her, letting my expression soften and I offer her my most reassuring smile. “Come on, my queen. We’ve got this.”

She looks at me, her eyes wide, but there’s that flicker of uncertainty still clouding them. The wind whips around us, making my hair stick to my face, but I’m determined to lighten her mood. If she’s going to get through this, it’s going to take more than just basic survival gear.

At the entrance, I grab a shopping trolley with exaggerated enthusiasm, like I’m about to take on a race. “This,” I say, rolling it in her direction with purpose, “is the official ‘Blaise-Approved Omega Nest Shopping Trolley’.” I make a little flourish with my arm as if I’m unveiling a priceless treasure.

Eviana looks at me, still tense, but this time there’s the tiniest tug at the corner of her lips. “Blaise, I’m not?—”

“Just trust me, alright?” I interrupt, my tone playful but warm. “This isn’t just about blankets and pillows. This is aboutcomfort. And I’m the absolutekingof comfort. Ask the others if you don’t believe me. Our tour bus was like a palace thanks to me. When we’re done, you’re going to be so wrapped up in softness, you’ll forget you were ever worried, my queen.”

I push the trolley in front of her, and she hesitates for just a second before slowly stepping up next to me. The cold hits her, and I see her shiver, but I don’t let it faze me. I head into the store, leaving her with no choice but to follow.

Xar and Dane fall into step behind us, bringing up the rear.

As we step into the empty store thanks to Dane calling ahead and securing us a couple of hours exclusive entry, I’m aware of how completely out of place she feels. I can see it in the way her body tenses, how her gaze flicks to the shelves of blankets and soft pillows as if they’re some kind of foreign concept. She’s still clinging to the control she thinks she has, but I can see the cracks.

Dane made the right call, ensuring we’re alone for this. Not to avoid us being mobbed by fans, but thinking of Eviana’s comfort.

“Alright, Eviana,” I say, making my voice light and cheerful, “here’s the deal. First, we’re going to find you the fluffiest pillow in this place. Something you can sink into after a long day of...well, not worrying about pillows.”

She doesn’t respond immediately, but I notice the smallest shift in her posture. She’s still tense, but she’s listening. And that’s progress.

“Personally, I love black. It’s the quintessential bad-boy colour, but I don’t think it’s very nest-y. What do you think?”

I head for the aisles of soft bedding and start pulling down the fluffiest, most ridiculous-looking pillows I can find. “I vote for this one,” I say, holding up a pillow that’s so over-the-top fluffy, it looks like it could swallow her whole. “What do you think?”

Eviana glances over at it, her lips twitching. She’s trying not to smile, but I can see the amusement flickering in her eyes. “That looks...excessive,” she says, her voice more relaxed.

“Exactly! You deserveexcessivesoftness,” I reply with a grin. “And we’ve got all day to find more of it.”

She steps forward a little, just barely, and I notice the subtle shift in her energy. Her body is still tight, but the walls are starting to come down, piece by piece. She picks up a different pillow and inspects it, then – without saying a word – places it in the trolley. It’s honestly the most uncomfortable looking, least fluffy or soft thing I’ve ever laid eyes on. I immediately want to snatch it out of the trolley andburnit.

What’s a monstrosity like that even doing in a store like this?

“Yes!” I shout dramatically, pumping my fist in the air. “We’re off to a great start! Ten points to you!”

I’ll get rid of it later. She’ll never notice by the time we’ve filled three or four trollies full.

She chuckles softly, though it’s tinged with exhaustion. “I’m not sure I’m ready for this, Blaise.”

I lean in closer, my voice lowering slightly. “You don’t have to be ready. You just have to take it one step at a time.” I keep my tone light, though there’s a quiet firmness beneath it. “One pillow at a time. One blanket at a time. And eventually, you’ll realise...you’re not alone in this. And, you’ll have enough soft furnishings to build a fort.”

She glances at me, then looks away, her cheeks flushed. There’s still uncertainty in her eyes, but for the first time, I see something else too – a small, tentative trust. The kind that’s been hard for her to give, but it’s there, fragile as it is.

“A fort?”

The wistful longing in her voice floors me and I nod frantically, grabbing armfuls of pillows without even inspecting them and dumping them in the trolley. Dane’s brows rise and wordlessly, he and Xar go off in search of more trollies.

“Yeah. Blanket forts are the best! I love to climb inside one and just play around on my guitar. It’s like shutting out the world and cocooning yourself in comfort. It’s honestly amazing.”