Page 53 of Fallen to Thievery
But I did find comfort in his arms, as he held me tightly, stroking my hair and kissing the top of my head as I cried silently. And I realised I wouldn’t want anyone else’s comfort but his.
Thenextday,itwas pouring rain. The cold outside turned the water clinging to the leaves and blades of grass into ice. Icicles started to form on the tops of the windows. I had a feeling that it was the last rain that would fall. The next time, it would be snow.
The weather was fitting. My parents were also mourning me, like Demeter mourned for Persephone, I was sure of it. And here I was, playing under rainbows with Hades and squashing my chances of getting back to them. Theworst daughteraward must surely be mine.
I was staring out into the beautiful gloom, when Gemma came bursting through the door. She was practically jumping up and down with excitement.
“Ava, come on!” She ushered me to the door. “We’re having a movie marathon.”
Her enthusiasm had me smiling, despite myself. “Let me get dressed first,” I protested.
She shook her head. “Nuh-uh, pyjamas is an admission requirement.”
Gemma practically dragged me down the stairs. My eyes found Grayson immediately. He was crouched in front of the fireplace, peering over his shoulder at us, smirking at the sight of me being hauled down the stairs byGemma. He had started a fire and looked oh so sexy in his sweatpants as he stood. There was a blanket on the armchair he usually sat in, which he picked up and held open, waiting for me to sit, so he could cover me with it. I complied, my toes curling as he tucked me up in the cozy blanket and gave me a kiss on the head.
Hunter surprised me by handing me a cup of hot chocolate. I sniffed at it suspiciously. “Did you poison it?”
He rolled his eyes at me. “Isn’t that your department?”
I smiled down at the mug, surprised by the lack of animosity in Hunter’s tone.
“What are we watching first, Gem?” Grayson asked, waiting by the DVD player.
She handed him a DVD. “I picked the first one in honour of my new friend,” Gemma declared.
“Practical Magic,” Grayson read aloud with a grin. “Sounds about right.”
Laughter bubbled up my throat. Grayson placed the disc in the machine, and I was surprised when he didn’t join Gemma and Hunter on the large couch. Instead, he came to sit on the floor with his back against the armchair, leaning slightly into me, his shoulder against my leg.
I had an overwhelming urge to run my fingers through his hair, to which I caved, my stomach making somersaults at my audacity. He tilted his head slightly, leaning into my touch. It sent butterflies scattering throughout my body.
I watched the movie, the feeling of complete contentment creeping up on me. I did it again. And again—running my fingers through Grayson’s dark hair a couple more times. He had my knees weak when he caught my hand and kissed it. Touching him was like a drug. Once you started, there was no stopping.
When the movie ended, Gemma stretched herself out, declaring, “Bathroom break.”
I stood too, and Gemma linked her arm with mine and followed me to my bathroom. She was standing in front of the mirror, picking at her hair. “So… you and Grayson, hmm?” She wiggled her eyebrows at me like we were teenagers discussing our crushes. Of course, she didn’t miss any of it.
“Gods, Gemma. Don’t say it out loud,” I sighed. But there was no use denying it. There was something, and there was no stopping it. Lying about it tomyselfwas dumb. “I’m insane, right?”
“Yes. Yes, you are.” Gemma grinned.
I groaned and dropped my head into my hands. “Who in their right mind falls for their kidnapper?” I grumbled. Maybe Grayson was right. Maybe I was just as fucked in the head as he was.
Gemma had gone quiet. I looked up to see her chewing on her lower lip, as she does when she’s nervous. It seemed like she needed to get something off her chest, so I waited. “Ava, things have become very complicated, and I’m a bit worried. About you.” She didn’t meet my eyes.
“What do you mean?” I pressed.
She looked up at me and stared for a moment. Unsure. “There’s more to this, than you know, Ava. He wasn’t supposed to fall for you. God, I didn’teven know hecouldfall for someone. It’s all a mess now. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I don’t understand.” What was she saying? And why didn’t she think Grayson could fall for someone? And what more was there to know? What was she getting at?
She chewed on her lip again, contemplating her words. “Things are not what they seem, Ava. I… you should talk to Grayson.”
I wanted to know more, make her tell me what she meant, but she quickly changed the subject, determined to not say anything else.
When we were done, Gemma stopped me before we were out the bedroom. “Promise me you’ll talk to Grayson. Soon.”
I nodded, feeling a bit uneasy with how serious she looked.
