Page 51

Cosmo groaned. “Your bed is a wall. Why don’t you have slider thingies to move it?”

“I do.” Cullen beamed, holding up an Amazon package.

“Oh, good deal.” That would make it way easier. They got the ends lifted a tiny bit and the gliders placed underneath, and it was like whoosh. The bed was moved in seconds.

They grabbed each other’s hands and bounced up on it, flopping hard.

“Man, I want a milkshake,” Cullen said.

“Well, we just happen to have ice cream.”

“In a minute.” He looked at the chest from across the room.

The curtains blew, the featherlight fabric brushing against the bureau.

It was amazing to him because, if you looked out the window that was next to the furniture, the light poured in and it was summertime, puffy clouds lolling across the sky.

There were roses blooming, and the trees were deep green and full. And if you looked just right, you could see his mother’s house up on the top of the hill, the curved shape almost hidden by a multitude of roses. He could smell them, along with apple and honey. It was pure warmth.

If he’d looked out the window in Corbin’s house just now, it was springtime. Flowers and trees were just beginning to bud. Everything was light green and…actually, they were kind of the color of Corbin. Everything was beginning to grow and sprout and be beautiful.

This morning, from the windows in their house, it was the deepest part of autumn. It was that moment, right before the snows came, when everything had gone quiet.

Harvest was over and there was this deep waiting silence, like the world was whispering, ‘go to bed, go to bed, go to bed.’

Even better, it was pouring outside of Corbin’s windows, and there may be snow tomorrow in his. Here, there was a summer squall, just begging to water the flowers.

So much fun.

“It’s cool, huh?”

Cosmo nodded to his brother. “Yes, but I have to admit I don’t miss the constant summer, and I’m ready for fall—I want our Halloween party. Of course, we’re lucky. If we get tired of one season, we can go somewhere else.”

“I know! There’s something exciting about scary stories and casseroles and harvest festivals. In Lunastra, it’s all asparagus and eggs.”

“I know. It’s wild and wonderful, all at the same time.” He grinned at Cullen, tickled. This felt so normal. “What kind of toys?”

“Well, I think games, puzzles. Books. Things that will last. Because. I mean, this is our home. We’re going to be here. We might as well be prepared to stay and enjoy ourselves. Also cards. I love cards.” Cullen rubbed his fingers together and a slew of cards seemed to fly at Cosmo, spin around him like wild black and red butterflies. And then they flew away back into his hands before they disappeared.

Cosmo applauded. “You’ve been practicing.”

“It’s so much easier here. I imagine it’s because I don’t have to worry about covering us up, about us having different skin or eyes or anything. I can just spend all the magic making things. I know they’re not real, but they’re so much fun.”

“Show me your best thing.” He leaned against the windowsill, the scent of rain getting stronger.

“Okay, I’ve been working on this. Stand back.”

Wait for me!Corbin’s call came from deep within the house.I want to see too.

Well then, come on. I’m going to make it happen soon. I’ve been working hard.They chuckled as Corbin came barreling in, screeching to a halt just in time to slam right into him. Both of them rocking together and tangling in the curtains.

Did I make it?

You made it.

“Okay, we’re going to have to focus. Are you ready?”

“We’re ready.”