Page 61 of Ruthless Fae
“Tomorrow. My parents are coming in to get me.” A giant smile spread across the boy’s face, flooding it with so much happiness I couldn’t help but smile, too.
“What about you, Becca?” Vaughn asked.
“I’m flying home with Ronnie and his parents. My mom will come get me from their house.” Her hand instinctively found his.
My heart warmed as I watched them together. At least something good came from all of this.
And my “something good” pulled me into an embrace as he turned all his attention back to me.
“We leave tomorrow,” he said into my hair. “I can’t wait to get this island’s dirt off my feet for good.”
I slid my arms around him without response, and he took my silence for what it was, uncertainty. Pulling back, he stared into my eyes. “Something’s wrong.”
I tilted my head in silent acknowledgment. “It’s nothing.”
“It’s not nothing,” he replied, pushing a lock of my hair out of my eyes. “What is it?”
Taking a deep breath, I blew it out again before beginning. “Your home, this Kansas?”
He nodded. “Topeka. Yeah?”
“Topeka,” I said the word slowly as if tasting every syllable. “What’s it like?”
“Oh, you’ll love it. Lots of space. Blue skies, fresh air, and no insane twins that try to murder you. Perfect really.”
He smiled, trying to keep it light, but I couldn’t join in.
“What?” He stepped closer, caressing my arm.
“How will I fit in?” I said, finally voicing my fear. I turned and ruffled my wings to remind him. “I could glamour them.”
“No!” he said, suddenly serious. “I don’t want you to hide what you are. You’re special. That’s why I love you. Everyone in Topeka will love you. And if they don’t, they’ll have to answer to the wolf.” His green eyes flashed in the firelight. Then he laughed and hugged me. “It’s going to be so great, Tally. You’re going to see.”
I put my arms around him, buoyed by this excitement and positivity. Vaughn loved me. He loved me for who I was. I didn’t have to hide. I didn’t have to pretend to be something else or act like someone else. He’d seen me, the good, bad, and ugly, and he still wanted to take me home to his family.
Would they like me? He’d assured me they would. His rich aunt had plenty of room, and his cousin would be there, as well as Arryn. They’d taken her in when both girls had been rescued since they couldn’t be parted and found great solace in each other’s company. The rest of the orphans would stay in Dean McIntosh’s care and enter the Academy when they came of age.
It was decided then. Anyone who would take in an orphan fae at a moment’s notice had to be a good person.
“Are the Habermanns stopped for good?” I mused looking at the rubble pile in the darkness.
“The dean will take care of it.” Vaughn nuzzled his nose into the sensitive skin of my neck, sending a tingle down my spine.
“And if others come and try to do as the Habermanns have done?”
“Then we’ll stop them,” Vaughn nibbled at the spot below my ear, making me squirm with delight. “But first, we get to enjoy this. And each other.”
I followed his lead, enjoying Vaughn, his embrace, his lips as they lingered over mine. I leaned into his arms, knowing that we would meet whatever came together.