“I want to apologize,” she began in a soft voice.

“For what?” Loren asked. But she had a feeling she already knew.

“I haven’t been nice to you lately, and…well, to be honest, I’m ashamed of myself. The bargain was my brother’s decision, and I shouldn’t have treated you as if you encouraged him to do it. I just…” She crossed her arms and stared at a corner of the room, her eyes glassy. “I love my brother. He’s been there for me for literally ever. And I don’t want to lose him,” she admitted, her voice cracking with emotion. She slid her teary eyes to Loren and whispered, “But I love you too, Loren. You’re like a sister to me.”

Loren’s eyes stung, her throat so tight she couldn’t swallow.

“I don’t want to lose you, either,” Ivy continued. “This whole situation is just…” She sighed deeply. “Fucked up,” she concluded with a hard, forced laugh. “You’re a part of our family now, and the thought of losing either of you…” Her eyes flicked to her brother—her amazing brother, who, Loren knew, even without looking, was watching them. Watchingher. Quieter, Ivy said, “You’ve changed him. And I mean that as the highest compliment. Before you came along, he wasn’t…he just wasn’t happy,” she confessed with a sigh. “He always had more lows than he did highs. And I know he isn’t perfect, I know he still has a lot of demons he’s fighting, but…you’ve really brought him to life, Loren. You made someone who always wanted to die wantto start living instead. You saved him. And I can’t thank you enough for that.”

Loren swallowed the lump in her throat. “You don’t have to thank me, Ivy,” she whispered. This was so unexpected, she had to try not to burst into tears. “I should be the one thanking you—for everything you guys have done for me…” She would never be able to repay them. Everything they’d done, everything they’d sacrificed… It was too much.

“You’re a part of our family,” Ivy repeated. “No matter what happens, that will always be true. From now on, I promise to manage my emotions better and not take them out on you. Okay?”

“I’m not angry with you for being upset,” Loren insisted. “I hope you know that. And…” She glanced over her shoulder. Darien was leaning against the front door, pretending to be interested in the chandelier. He sure was adorable for someone so dangerous. “I’m just as upset as you,” she continued. “I was just taking my emotions out on him instead.” She tried to smile, but she was too emotional.

“Will you forgive me?”

“Of course I forgive you.”

Ivy opened her arms to her.

Loren stepped forward, and they embraced.

“Love you,” Ivy said again, squeezing her tight.

“I love you, too,” Loren breathed, squeezing her back.

“Okay, Darien!” Ivy called, dropping her magic as they broke apart. “You can have her back now!”

By the time Loren turned to look at him, he was already in the room, as if he couldn’t wait to get in here.

“I hope you guys are hungry,” Ivy said as she tightened the string of her black robe and walked into the kitchen. “I’m making pancakes.”

Loren barely heard her. Because Darien was in front of her then, stepping so close, he snatched the air out of her lungs.

“Good morning,” he said, that bass tone making her heart skip, her body turning all warm and fuzzy.

She interlocked her fingers before her. “Good morning.”

His eyes dipped to her lips, then dragged down her body…slowly… The longer he looked at her, the hotter his stare got. She loved when he looked at her like this. “How’d you sleep?”

“Fine.”

His brow scrunched with curiosity, a crooked little smile pulling on his mouth. “Is that my shirt?” He tipped his head to one side.

She crossed her arms. “No.”

“Did you take it out of my bag?”

She had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. “Maybe.”

That smile grew, his dimple making an appearance. “You little thief.”

“You didn’t come to bed last night,” she said.

His smile vanished. “No, I…passed out.” He scratched at the back of his neck she was absolutely certain didn’t itch. “Must have been really tired,” he added.

“Darien,” she reproached. “You were tracking for way too long.” He opened his mouth, but before he could argue, she said, “Please don’t lie. Tanner said you were tracking for two or three hours.”

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