Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Eris
After nearly a month of work, Finn's apothecary is shaping up nicely. Every day we spend together, I see him brighten. He was a man lost in the midst of a storm and slowly he's found himself. I'm honored to witness his budding happiness.
And while he's growing and healing from his past, so am I.
The nightmares have subsided. I didn't think it would be possible for me to forgive the abuse and mistreatment I endured, but Finn has shown me what love and friendship really entail.
It's patient, kind, nurturing. It's the refusal to watch someone you care for drown in their suffering.
Finn has breathed new life into my weary spirit and brittle bones.
When I thought I had no way out, he extended his hand, and I've not looked back.
In a few months, I've acclimated to the Tronovian lifestyle.
The food is incredible, the shops are magical, and I'm very fond of the people.
The Harland brothers have welcomed me with open arms. When they laugh and bicker, I wonder if this is what sibling camaraderie should look like.
Here in the Harland House there's no toxic competition or brutal comparison.
My sisters and I were bred to be at odds.
We had to fight for the scraps of my mother's attention and what little affection she had to offer.
I wasn't aware until observing the brothers interact that I saw my sisters as my enemies, not my friends.
My heart breaks for them now. I escaped.
They haven't. Maybe one day I'll have the chance to help them see the light too.
But until the opportunity arises, I'll bask in the sun of my salvation.
I'll bake. I'll garden. I'll shop. I'll swim. I'll learn. I'll grow. I'll love. I'll live and live fully.
I am worthy of happiness.
Finn's hand brushes mine when he reaches for the flour to dust the inside of the bread pan.
My lower belly flutters. How can one person have such an effect over me?
Just the subtle touch of his skin against mine and my heart lurches into a gallop.
I've spent the last couple of weeks sifting through my feelings, sure whatever is transpiring between us is just friendship.
But I've never felt this way about anyone else. Never felt this way about a friend.
I smile up at him and he smiles back, pushing his frames up the bridge of his nose with the back of his hand.
He's in his element. Baking, cooking, creating.
He exerts the same amount of care plating food as he does fostering those around him.
With the grand opening of his apothecary shop a few days away, I can't help the swell of pride expanding in my chest. He did it.
He chased his dream and in a matter of days the people who fear him will finally have the chance to see him the way I do. He deserves the adoration.
"You're looking at me weird," he chuckles nervously. "Is there something on my face?"
My eyes scan his tan cheeks. There's flour smudged along his jawline but that's certainly not why I'm doe eyed.
I snatch a clean hand towel from the butcher block countertop and gently drag it across his face. It's in these quiet moments I feel like I'm free falling. It's exhilarating and frightening all at once.
"All clean," I whisper.
My eyes slide upward to meet his gaze. I swallow hard. The way he's looking at me has the potential to stop my heart from beating. Heat blossoms in my chest and spreads until every inch of my body feels as if it's on fire.
"Thank you," he says softly.
"You're welcome." I clear my throat and tear my eyes from his. "When will they be back?"
Finn shrugs. "Atlas will be back in time for dinner. No telling if Nyx understands the concept of punctuality, but he'll be here at some point. If I know my brother, he's out grabbing one last drink at Prue's with Ronan before settling in for the evening."
"Will I meet Prince Ronan tonight?" I ask. I've not had a chance to meet the crown-prince yet but if he's anything like his cousins, we'll be fast friends.
"I'd assume so," he nods. "Ronan and Nyx will be famished after wreaking havoc around the city."
I giggle. "I'm sure they're not that bad."
"You've clearly not been left in a room with them for five minutes," he snickers. "Chaos."
"Well, I look forward to the chaos."
As if on cue, the front door slams open with a thud and three male voices erupt in boisterous laughter.
"Speaking of chaos," Finn's eyebrows bounce.
"Finn!" Nyx cries out. "Finn, where are you?"
"Maybe if we're really quiet, Nyx will never find us," Finn teases, lifting his teacup to his lips.
"You're terrible," I smirk, swatting at his arm. I wipe my hands clean on the apron Finn purchased and had my name stitched at the top. "We're in the kitchen, Nyx," I raise my voice and Finn groans.
"And here I thought we'd have a quiet evening to ourselves."
An evening alone with Finn is exceptionally tempting, but I shove those thoughts to the back of my mind.
If he wanted me in a romantic way, surely he would have made those intentions known by now.
I'll be happy with what I have. No need to press my luck and watch the new life I've built go up in smoke.
I hang my apron on the hook when Nyx, Atlas, and who I assume is Ronan, stumble in.
Nyx's eyes are bright, and his grin is wide. "There you two are! It smells heavenly in here."
Ronan looks very much like his cousins with their dark hair, tan skin, and enviable height.
But half of his shoulder-length hair is tied back into a small bun, and his facial hair is well-maintained.
He possesses a kingly aura about him, but the red tint to his flushed cheeks makes him appear almost boyish.
Then he smiles and it draws one from me in response.
"You must be Eris," Ronan cups my fingers in his and kisses the back of my hand. "I'm Ronan Delaney. I've heard a lot about you."
"It's very nice to meet you, Prince Ronan," I lower my head in a show of respect. We both might have royal blood in our veins, but he at least still has a kingdom to one day rule. I have no home to return to without risk of execution.
"Please call me Ronan." He releases my hand.
"I would have come to meet you sooner but father had me sitting in on his small council meetings.
" He circles the table, eyes scanning all the food Finn and I have prepared for dinner until he settles on a bowl of dates and pops one into his mouth. "I needed this night out."
Nyx snatches a date and throws his arm across Ronan's shoulders. "The night is young, cousin. We can still go to Prue's. Maybe Finn will actually join us to celebrate."
"What are you celebrating?" I ask, grabbing the platter with an assortment of sliced meats and cheeses to carry to the dining room table.
The room stills and suddenly my skin feels like a thousand ants are crawling all over me. "Did I say something wrong?" I glance at each male until I find Finn's gaze. He's leaning against one of the cabinets, scratching the back of his neck.
"You didn't say anything wrong," Atlas interjects, attempting to douse my concern.
"It's my birthday." Finn admits.
"What?" My mouth drops. "Why didn't you say anything? I would have gotten you a present."
"I'm not really fond of celebrating birthdays." He swallows hard. "Presents aren't necessary."
"Why don't you like to celebrate?"
Before Finn can answer, Nyx scoffs and rolls his eyes. "Finn doesn't like being the center of attention. It makes him uncomfortable. I've told him for years if he goes to Prue's he'll find a nice woman to warm his bed and give him a reason to celebrate."
"Nyx," Atlas shakes his head.
"Sorry," Nyx grimaces. "I keep forgetting you're not one of the boys, Eris. Forgive me."
Part of me is flattered Nyx sees me in the same light as he does his kin, allowing him to speak freely in front of me.
But hearing Nyx encourage Finn to find someone to spend the night with at the tavern sours my stomach.
Picturing Finn with anyone other than myself is enough to shatter me.
A twinge of jealousy sparks in my chest.
I remind myself I have no right to feel this way. Finn hasn't made one move on me. He's not confessed loving me in secret or having any intention of us being more than friends. To be fair, I've not made my feelings known either.
Finn clicks his teeth. "Prue's isn't my scene."
My heart rejoices with him turning the invitation down. I don't know why. It's not like Finn and I will be warming one another at night instead.
"Well, we already knew you'd decline," Nyx waves a dismissive hand. "Eris, you're always welcome to join us if you want to get out. I'm sure you could use a little time away from Finn, seeing as he's your boss and all."
"I'm not her boss," Finn's tone is defensive. "We're partners."
"Partners," Nyx amends. "The offer stands, Eris. If you want to come out tonight, say the word."
I glance over at Finn. Something in his gaze makes me pause. I wish I could pinpoint this feeling and identify why I sense he wants me to stay here with him. I offer him a reassuring smile.
"I think after dinner, I'll sit in front of the fireplace, curl up with a blanket and a mug of hot cocoa, and watch the snow fall." I bump the rotating door open as the brothers all grab a platter to bring. "Watching snow has become my new hobby."
"That sounds like a nice evening," Atlas bobs his head, taking it upon himself to pour everyone a glass of red wine. "I will also be bowing out of going to Prue's tonight. I'll be in my studio."
Almost nightly, Atlas slips up to the fifth floor where his art studio is.
I've only been up there once but the paintings and charcoal sketches he produces are masterpieces.
When I pointed out a painting of the open sea, he didn't hesitate to offer it to me.
I offered to pay him – although I don't really have an income at the moment – but he wouldn't hear of it.
That evening when I turned in for the night, it was hanging in my room.
I can't help but feel as if he uses his art to distract himself from something sinister.
"None of you are any fun," Nyx huffs as he takes his spot at the dining table.
"I didn't say I wouldn't go," Ronan offers, sliding into the seat I typically use.
Finn motions toward his cousin, but I curl my fingers around his wrist and shake my head. Without a word, I claim the open seat beside Finn; the seat I've avoided sitting in because I didn't trust myself not to brush my knee against his in a moment of weakness.
Once everyone is seated and has a plate full of food, I raise my wine glass. "To Finn. May this be the best birthday yet."
The boys echo my wish.
Dinner is lovely. Not only is the food amazing but listening to the boys reminisce about childhood stories fills my heart with incredible joy.
There's an ache that I don't have any fond memories to share with them about growing up in Hydra, but Nyx quickly points out I'll be able to make new memories with them. And he's right.
Once plates are cleared and the kitchen is cleaned, Atlas heads up to his studio and Nyx and Ronan excuse themselves for a night of drinking at Prue's.
"Are you up for some company tonight?" Finn asks as I boil some milk for hot cocoa.
My heart leaps in my chest. "Always," I nod and grab a second mug from the shelf.
Finn helps by melting the chocolate and together we mix the ingredients. There's a comfortable silence as we toss a few marshmallows on top of the liquid and make our way to the cozy living room. Finn has a fire going and two blankets tossed haphazardly on two of the leather armchairs.
Outside the picturesque window I watch bundled up Tronovians carry their boxed pastries from Treats across the street and make their way to their homes.
The snowflakes fall and slowly pile on top of sloped roofs, and icicles form on trellises.
It's such a whimsical sight as the moonlight streaks down illuminating the streets.
I pull my legs up to my chest when I plop down into the armchair closest to the window. Finn places the fluffiest of the two blankets across my shoulders and I tug it closer around my torso and legs. He takes up residence in the chair beside mine, a small table the only thing separating us.
I take a sip of the cocoa and moan from the rich chocolate dancing on the tip of my tongue. "So, why don't you celebrate your birthday?"
Finn's eyes slide up from the fire to meet mine. "Nyx is right. I hate being the center of attention."
"I feel like there's more to it than that."
He smiles. "It's like you have this sixth sense, Eris."
"So, there is another reason?"
"I don't make a fuss about my birthday because I don't want people to feel obligated to give me gifts or spend time with me."
"You have to stop feeling like being your friend is a burden, Finn," I say point-blank. "Next year, promise me, you'll let me celebrate with you."
He sits in stunned silence for half a second before the corners of his eyes crinkle with a smile. "I promise."
"You agreed quickly," I narrow my eyes at him, skeptical if he meant it. "What's the catch?"
"No catch," he sips his drink once more before placing his mug on the coaster beside him. "You making me promise to celebrate my birthday with you means you'll still be in my life. And that's enough to make me promise you just about anything."
I'm unsure if it's the hot cocoa, the fire, or how he's looking at me that immediately heats my body. The warmth of his eyes and the joy in his smile has me willing to swear I'll spend every single one of his birthdays with him for the rest of our lives.
"Happy birthday, Finn Harland." I smile, making a mental note to remember him in this moment. "I'm glad we found each other."
He reaches for my hand and squeezes. "I'm glad we found each other, too."