Page 52 of Tethered Fates

“You should put them in order of what you’ll use,” he huffs.

I ignore him as I stroll back into the bathroom to fill a spray bottle with warm water. I’m surprised that when I come back, he hasn’t moved the hair products.

Standing behind him, I section his braids into four even parts…well, evenish.

Kai clears his throat while I snap a hair band around one section that’s smaller than the others and flops down the side of his face like a bunny ear.

He clears his throat again when I snap multiple hair bands around two sections to keep them out of my way.

Losing his patience, Kai throws up his hands. “Use the bloody sectioning clips, Teagan.”

I don’t, because it’s funny when Kai rolls his eyes and falls back into the chair like I’m being difficult on purpose.

Which I am.

I spray his braids with the water bottle and definitely don’t, on purpose, get the back of his t-shirt wet, causing Kai to grumble. I grab the bottle of jojoba oil to run the nozzle across the line of exposed scalp, using two fingers to massage it into his skin to keep everything healthy and flake-free. Then, using the rat tail comb, I twist his new, honey-brown hair growth into his bleached braid.

I’ve always loved doing this. Our other brother Thomas hates braids, and hates it more when I try to freshen up his tight curls. But Kai melts like butter while I work, and instead of brushes and paint, oils and gels are my tools to express my feelings. Kai my canvas.

Before I painted that storming sea for Sen, I was choked with too much and lashing out in any direction. Now I understand myself better, and can make up for being a bit of a dickhead.

Distantly, I wonder if Sen would let me do his hair.

“You’ll need to bleach your roots soon,” I tell Kai.

“I know, but you know I always need help with the back.” Kai shoots me a half smile in the mirror, and a seed of warmth grows in my chest. “Besides, it ain’t like I can ask Golden for help.” We both snort, sharing a knowing look.

I start work on the next row of braids. “For a guy with such pretty curls, Golden’s not great at looking after them.”

Kai hums in agreement, but then says, “He’s getting better.”

I cock an eyebrow.

“Fine,” Kai relents. “I taught Lucero—the guy with dark hair and blue eyes—how to do Golden’s hair.”

“Sounds about right.”

I go back to Kai’s braids. Spraying, oiling, twisting. Taking care of my brother in a way that Vidar can’t. Or can’t yet.

“Why are your eyebrows doing that?”

I keep my lips sealed.

“You’re still pissed off with Vidar,” Kai heaves a sigh.

Chewing on my bottom lip, I start work on the next section. “What are you gonna do with your shitty flat?”

“It isn’t shitty. Why does everyone think that?”

“Because it is.”

“Little bro, c’mon.” Kai stares at me with his pleading jade eyes. “Let’s talk about Vidar—”

“Do you still have the unicorn pencil I got you?” I blurt out, never stopping my task.

“Of course.” Kai frowns. “What’s happening in that head of yours, Teagan? Do you think I’m gonna leave you behind or something?”

This time, when our eyes connect in the mirror, I flinch away. I feel like the annoying little brother who’s trying to catch up with the big kids. Kai doesn’t push, but in this moment I wish he would. I wish he’d shove so hard that the words sitting at the back of my throat tumble out.