Chapter 25 Riley #2
Asher sighed. “You don’t trust me enough to believe I wouldn’t hurt you like that.” He said it as if it was fact and as much as it stung to admit it to myself…it was the truth. It was an odd thought, since I trusted him with my body but not with my well-being. I was a fucking mess.
Soft snoring sounded from the floor. Beau was fast asleep still curled up, his tail twitching.
My mouth moved but no words came out. Asher glanced over at my familiar.
“I came downstairs and you were passed out on the couch. I wasn’t going to bother you and then you started to have a fit.
I knew Beau would get loud and wake the entire house, so I sent a little dream sedative to his system.
I’m sure he’s chasing all the squirrels he can in his head right now. ”
I furrowed my brow at him, maintaining my distance.
He nodded, clearing his throat. “It’s the truth, Riley.”
“Why didn’t you just ease my dream. Use your sandman magic on me like you did before?”
He placed his hands on his thighs, squeezing his eyes shut.
“I tried.” He wiped under his nose with the back of his hand.
Small drops of blood decorated his skin and more trickles came from his nose.
I blinked and without thinking, scooted over to him and used my fingers to wipe away the blood that was finding its way to his upper lip.
“What the hell, Asher?” The thick liquid stained my fingertips.
Asher tugged on my wrist, moving my hand away from his face. “It’s nothing.”
“Don’t do that. Don’t treat me like I’m dumb.”
His expression softened just a little. “It happens when I push too hard. It’s a common side effect for any heavy use of magic.
When I said I tried, I meant it. I could get into your head and help you out last time but whatever just happened wasn’t you.
It was someone else who has magic just like me, but it seems like they are much stronger. I couldn’t—”
I watched as he wiped the rest of the blood from his nose and lost his words.
“You couldn’t what?”
He ran both his hands through his hair, saying under his breath, “I couldn’t help you.”
I reached out and touched his knee. “You really didn’t cause any of this, did you?”
He grazed his hand down my forearm and placed it on top of mine. “No, Riley, I really fucking didn’t.”
Asher wasn’t the kind of person who threw out his affection so openly like River and Grayson.
You had to look through his steel-coated exterior to get to even a fraction of something soft and warm.
He showed his cards sparingly and you were lucky if he bestowed you with a smile that wasn’t condescending.
Despite knowing all those things, right now, I liked being with him.
I could even admit that I liked him a little mean.
He was a delicious contrast that challenged me, but I was honored to be one of those people that got his softness on occasion.
“Riley, we should—”
I inclined my head towards him and found his mouth.
Unlike the last time we were alone and kissed, his body didn’t stiffen.
He embraced what was happening and kissed me back.
He brought his hand to my face and cupped my cheek.
He pulled me in a little closer, deepening the kiss, then a vibration from within the couch cushions stunned us both.
He wiped his mouth, sticking his hand in between the cushions, pulling out my phone. “A little late to be getting text messages.”
I took my phone from him and looked at the screen. It was from Corrin.
CORRIN
I tried to sleep but I couldn’t. Ike may be annoying as fuck but he’s the best little researcher. We found her.
I took in a breath and peeked over at Asher, who was watching me intently.
And?
CORRIN
Well, she’s alive. She never left California. She’s living it up in Napa Valley.
That’s not far.
CORRIN
Weekend road trip?
I stuck my tongue in my cheek, considering this.
It was only about an hour or two depending on traffic, but bombarding a woman out of nowhere wasn’t something I’d ever considered doing.
She up and left once my dad was killed, so seeing her and getting to question someone about the past and then praying they could shed some light on the future had me wanting to type out an immediate yes.
My fingers hovered over the keys.
I’ll give you an answer when the sun is out. Go to bed.
CORRIN
Bossy, but I like it. Fine, I will await your thoughts. It can be a girl’s trip! Well, including Beau but he’s one of us. I’ll look up dog friendly hotels!
I haven’t said yes, Corrin
CORRIN
yes, but you will. You are playing hard to get and it’s cute. Sleep tight!
“All good?” Asher asked, concern etching his tone.
I placed my phone face down on the coffee table and nodded. “Yeah, just fine.”
“Right. What was it you said earlier? Oh, right. ‘Don’t treat me like I’m dumb’.” He raised an eyebrow at me.
I let out a soft laugh, but chose to talk about something else. “We should let everyone in on what’s going on…with me?”
“Your erratic nightmares?”
I bit my lower lip. “Yes. I told River that we all need to be more open and it’s only fair.
Whoever got into his head is probably associated with the same person who did this to me.
They are probably people we don’t even know who either got manipulated just like Grayson or are just inherently bad people, I don’t know, but everyone being so in the dark isn’t helping. ”
Asher ran a hand over his mouth. “All? So, you were actually serious when you spoke about having a talk with Grayson?”
“I guess so.”
Asher let out a hmph and then rubbed his hands on the front of his thighs. “You are aware that means no more throwing accusations at any of us? None of us are out to get you.”
“Baby steps, Asher. Your brother was just mentally harmed, so you can’t blame me for assuming you made a choice.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose, removing his glasses. “How many times do I need to tell you…”
“I’m sorry, okay?”
He left his glasses resting on his thigh and grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him.
He was so close to me, his words whispered against my mouth.
“I invade your dreams to mess with you, help you or bring you pleasure, but that is all. I can protect my brother and I can also protect you, got it?”
I moved my eyes over his face seeing the need for me to understand in his eyes. “Yes, sir.”
He removed his hand from my chin and put his glasses back on. I watched as he rose from the couch, rolling his shoulders. He headed for the stairs and he didn’t look back.
I turned my phone over, settling back on the couch and scrolling to my email. I found one from yesterday evening.
Miss Riley Monroe,
We look forward to your attendance at the Celica coven meeting this coming Monday at 7 o’clock pm, If this interferes with any classes, please respond to this email. If not, then we look forward to welcoming you into the family.
Attached below you will find the meeting site posted for your convenience. Please be prompt.
I tilted my phone so that it touched my forehead and I sighed. This was all moving very fast and I just wanted it to slow down.
But it seemed like even that was asking too much.