Chapter 14
Callum - Ten Years Ago
Rafe and I are sitting in one of our favorite hiding spots – a balcony in one of the rooms on the highest floor that’s no longer used.
We came across this room when we were kids, exploring each nook and cranny of the castle together, hoping to find secret tunnels.
Although no hidden tunnels existed on this particular floor, at least none that we discovered, we did find this spot and soon turned it into our place of retreat.
This room was a secret shared between only Rafe and I - one of the few we kept from Ginna and Hanson.
In this room, the outside world and its obligations ceased to exist. It was only the two of us, coming here in search of a stillness that wasn’t present elsewhere.
One of the reasons this room wasn’t used was because of the crumbling bannister on the balcony. This is where Rafe and I sit, at least ten stories high, feet dangling off the edge. A stolen bottle of wine is propped between us, preventing our legs from touching.
“Do you think your father is looking for you?” I ask Rafe.
We had snuck out of the ball being held floors below, a welcome party for some dignitaries that were visiting, and I’m anxious that someone might notice our absence.
Rafe shrugs and pulls the cork out of the bottle with one swift pop. “Doubtful. Wouldn’t care even if he was.”
Rafe always had this laid-back, nonchalant attitude that I envied. Nothing ever fazed him, when in turn everything seemed to faze me.
“We shouldn’t have left. He’s going to be mad at us. You were supposed to be spending the evening with him and welcoming everyone.”
“Probably, but that’s nothing new.” Rafe takes a long sip from the bottle, and I can’t help but watch as his lips hug the opening. “Besides, I’d much rather be spending the time with you.”
I blush, hoping that in the dim light he won’t notice. Rafe and I have been friends for our entire lives, and it’s only a more recent discovery that I wish we were more.
As I reach to take the bottle from him, our hands brush and I’m instantly heated. I snatch my hand away before he notices my reaction. When I take my own sip, I’m very aware of the fact that my lips replace where his once were.
“Have you told them that you’re going to quit training?”
Rafe had never enjoyed being a soldier, but he went through the motions to appease the King. He thought about quitting almost every day since he started, more content to hide away with his art. He didn’t become a Hunter like myself and instead chose to stay a soldier, content with guard duty.
Rafe takes another sip, and I notice that he hadn’t bothered to wash off the paint from his hands.
“Not yet.” Rafe coughs. “My father already thinks I’m a big disappointment, and this will only add to that.”
“You’re not a disappointment, Rafe.” In fact, I wish I could be more like him. Rafe is so…himself. He doesn’t care about what anyone thinks of him and does what he wants when he wants, ignoring any potential consequences.
I’ve never had that privilege.
“Thanks, Cal.” Rafe nudges me playfully in the side. “What about you? Excited now that you’re a full-fledged Hunter?”
I’d been a soldier for about five years alongside Rafe, but unlike him, my goal was always to be a Hunter.
I longed for the adventure and thrill that came with finding relics, and knew it would help me look better in the King’s eyes.
I dedicated my life to it and finally fulfilled that goal last year.
If all continues to go as planned, I’ll be Lead Hunter in a few more years.
With that position, I’ll be able to invite Ginna to join Hanson and I.
Ginna was able to become a soldier years ago, breaking her betrothal, which was no cost to her as she and Rafe were more like brother and sister anyways.
But to become a Hunter she had to be invited to join by the Lead, and the current Lead wasn’t keen on the idea of women Hunters.
“It’s great. I’m just glad I was initiated.” I don’t want to linger on what would have happened if I didn’t become a Hunter.
The wine is making my head slightly fuzzy as the bottle continues to be passed between us.
Rafe has moved closer to me in the time we were talking, eliminating the space between our legs so that they’re pressed closely together.
Electricity seems to be coursing through every point of contact my body has with his.
I’m desperate to know if Rafe is feeling the same way, but he appears unperturbed.
His hand is on his thigh closest to me, and I have the urge to reach out and weave my hand through his.
I clear my throat. “Why’d you bring me up here, anyways? We could have met up with Ginna and Hanson in the training ring if you wanted to escape.”
“It’s almost sunset.” Rafe gestures at the sky in front of us, where the sun is steadily sinking, causing the clouds to become a haze of lavender.
“You brought me up here to watch the sunset?” I smirk. “It’s a little off character for you, Rafe, don’t you think?.”
He raises one eyebrow and bumps one of my feet with his. “Are you calling me soft, Cal?”
I laugh and elbow him. “No, never. Just didn’t know you liked sunsets.”
Rafe’s voice lowers an octave as he turns to me. “I like all sorts of beautiful things.”
It might have been the wine blurring the edges of my inhibitions, or the thrill of being so high up in the palace that it felt like we were a part of the sunset itself. Whatever the reason was, I found myself leaning towards Rafe, ignoring the rational part of my brain screaming at me to stop.
“Me too,” I whisper softly, the stubble of his chin rough against mine as I lower my lips to meet his.
I expect Rafe to jerk away, to ask me what I’m doing and to tell me that he only likes girls.
What I don’t expect is for Rafe to start laughing.
I realize I had just made a stupid decision. Clearly, if Rafe’s laughter is any indication, he doesn’t reciprocate my feelings, and I made a fool out of myself.
“I’m…I’m sorry,” I stammer. “I don’t know what came over me.”
I do know what came over me, though. I’ve always felt that my soul called to his, that we were two halves of a whole.
At first, I had thought that was because we grew up together, like brothers, but later had to admit to myself that it was more.
And even though my impulsive decision could have ruined our entire friendship, I couldn’t have prevented that kiss even if I had wanted to.
Rafe continues to laugh, and I debate whether I should save face and make a quick exit.
Right when I make the decision to leave, Rafe cups my face with both hands.
“It’s about time you kissed me.” And he presses his lips back to mine.