Chapter Eighteen
‘Orion, back in Maple Falls.’
When Celine spoke, her voice sounded like the tinkle of sea glass against a jar. All soft and kind. As her eyes slid over Orion, her smile widened and I felt myself go rigid, my throat pulsating with the hammering of my heartbeat.
Orion still stood at the door, looking confused. ‘Cel, you’re – you’re here.’
The shortening of her name made my stomach twist; a sea of jealousy rose up inside me in a way I couldn’t hold back.
I refused to be here. I refused to endure this again – Orion and Celine catching up, me watching in the background like some sort of nosy neighbour.
I jerked back, intending to go out of the front of the Treasure Trove and escape as fast as I could.
But the sound of Celine’s voice stopped me.
Celine raised her delicate eyebrows, that smile on her mouth turning razor sharp. ‘I think we have unfinished business to discuss, no?’
I knew Orion’s tells the way I knew my favourite recipes; his discomfort showed in the way the scales shimmered around his strong neck, the way his shoulders rolled like his wings wanted to emerge.
‘I suppose,’ Orion said, slowly. ‘If you want to chat Cel, we can.’
The beautiful siren held her haughty expression for a moment, before it dissolved and she laughed; the sound twinkling in the air. ‘Oh, I’m just messing with you. I’m not actually mad, but we had to come face to face some time, right?’
Relief was evident in the way Orion’s shoulders relaxed, and his grip on the door loosened.
Whatever it was, I didn’t believe she was over it, not for a second.
Still, curiosity was burning a hole in my head, and I wanted nothing more than to ask what was going on between them.
A lot had clearly happened since last summer.
I reminded myself that I wasn’t supposed to care. Orion and his potential love life was none of my business.
‘I was going to invite you to a little get-together down at the beach?’ Celine continued, stepping closer to him.
‘Thanks, Cel,’ Orion said. His voice was gentle. ‘But I’m hanging out with Maya tonight. So, I’ll probably catch you guys later, or something.’
Celine looked startled, and then her gaze finally darted to me. I did an awkward little wave; surprised Orion had turned down her offer and unsure if I was supposed to speak or not.
‘Right,’ Celine said, like she couldn’t quite understand him saying no to her. ‘Well, how about we meet up for lunch, for old times’ sake?’
Say no.
‘Sure,’ Orion said, and my disappointment swelled inside me. ‘I’ll text you.’
Celine seemed appeased, and I didn’t listen as they said their goodbyes. I focused on packing up; on getting ready to get out of here. I barely noticed when it was just the two of us again.
‘You ready to go, Reverie?’ Orion asked, his hands in his pockets, silver eyes locked on to me.
‘I’ll walk,’ I said, tightly. I couldn’t be in the car with him. I was too afraid of saying something that I didn’t mean, something that betrayed my unresolved feelings.
‘No, you won’t. It’s late, and you’ve got class tomorrow,’ Orion said, firmly. ‘I’ll drive you.’
‘I’m not your sister.’ The words came from somewhere deep in my chest. ‘You don’t have to look after me.’
‘You’re –’ Orion seemed to catch himself. ‘I know you’re not my sister.’
‘We’re not even friends,’ I continued, feeling my words sharpen into knives. Seeing Celine had brought forward insecurities I wasn’t proud of, memories I didn’t want to remember.
‘Right.’ He scoffed. ‘I didn’t think we ever were,’ he added.
The blow landed like a punch to my stomach.
‘You and I, Reverie,’ Orion said, and there was that edge to his voice again, ‘have always been something. Right now, we’re partners working to break this curse.’
And last summer? I wanted to ask, but I refused to voice it.
‘So,’ Orion said, and now his tone was mocking. Like he could tell I was holding myself back. ‘Let me drop you home, partner.’