Chapter 54
808 Words
I woke up with Devon’s arms wrapped tight around me like he was afraid I’d slip away if he let go. The morning light was streaming through the curtains, soft and golden, but his warmth was the only thing I felt. For a moment I just stayed still, listening to his heartbeat against my ear, memorizing the steady rhythm.
When I shifted, he groaned low in his throat and pulled me closer. “Five more minutes,” he muttered, his voice still rough with sleep.
I smiled into his chest. “You said that an hour ago.”
“Did I?” he teased, brushing his lips against the top of my head. “Guess I lied.”
I nudged him and he finally rolled onto his back, dragging me with him. His hand slid down my spine, and I felt the heat stir under my skin again. I tensed before I could stop myself. It was getting harder to hide these sparks from him.
He noticed. He always noticed.
“Addy,” he said softly, tipping my chin so I had to look at him. His eyes were so clear, like he could see every thought I was trying to bury. “It happened again, didn’t it?”
I swallowed. “Just a flicker.”
“Addy…”
“Devon, I’m fine,” I insisted quickly, even though my voice shook. “It’s not like I set the bed on fire.”
His mouth twitched like he wanted to laugh but he didn’t. Instead, he kissed me slow and deep until my body relaxed against his. He always did that, pulled me out of my own head.
By the time he pulled back, I was breathing hard and blushing. He brushed his thumb across my cheek and whispered, “If you do set the bed on fire, at least it’ll be memorable.”
I smacked his chest lightly, and he caught my hand, pressing a kiss into my palm before rolling us out of bed.
“Come on,” he said, tugging me toward the door. “Training. Before Joey comes in here with that smug grin of hers.”
The training field was still damp with morning dew, and the air smelled fresh, sharp with pine. Joey was already there stretching, her hair tied back and her expression unreadable.
“You’re late,” she said, raising an eyebrow.
“We were… busy,” Devon replied smoothly, throwing me a wink that made my cheeks heat.
Joey groaned. “Spare me.”
The training was rough. Joey didn’t go easy on me, not that I expected her to. She made me run drills until my legs burned, sparred with me until I was gasping, and forced me to repeat the same stance over and over until my arms ached. Devon watched, his arms crossed, his gaze sharp but protective.
It was during one of the sparring rounds that it happened. Joey lunged, and I dodged too late. My body reacted before I could think heat shot through me, bright and violent, and for an instant fire curled around my fists. Joey stumbled back, her eyes widening.
“Addy!” Devon barked, stepping forward.
I pushed the fire down, gasping as it vanished, leaving only smoke from the tips of my fingers. My heart hammered. Joey stared at me like she’d just seen a ghost.
“I—” I started, but my voice broke.
Devon was there in an instant, his hands firm on my shoulders. “It’s okay. Breathe.”
Joey’s eyes narrowed, but she nodded. “Control, Addy. Not fear. Again.”
And she came at me like nothing had happened.
By the time training was done, I was exhausted and trembling. Devon carried me inside, ignoring my protests, and set me down on our bed.
“You’re pushing yourself too hard,” he murmured, brushing damp hair from my face.
“I have to,” I whispered. “If I can’t control it, someone’s going to get hurt again.”
His gaze softened, and he leaned down until our foreheads touched. “You’ll learn. And you won’t be alone this time. I’ll train you myself if I have to.”
I believed him. Maybe that was the problem. I believed him too much. Happiness like this didn’t last for people like me.
When I closed my eyes, I saw flames licking at my skin. And for a second, it felt like I was standing on the edge of something big, something that could destroy me or set me free.
Devon kissed me again, soft and sweet this time, and whispered, “Mine.”
I wanted to believe that was enough.
But in the quiet part of my heart, I couldn’t shake the feeling that shadows were gathering, waiting for the right moment to strike.
- Writer
