Page 60 of Those That Defy the Realm

We still had so much to figure out, but Ash’s determinedness made me see that he must care passionately enough about me. Gods, he was talking about risking his very existence, and that of his family, in order to remain here with Henry and me.

It was refreshing. Whilst Declan had wanted my attention and got angry if I couldn’t change my plans to suit what he wanted to do, he never inconvenienced himself to see me when I was free. It was all on his terms.

Henry, too, has only ever been considerate. Whether it be for my feelings, making sure I’m not uncomfortable, or showing me how attractive he finds me just as I am.

The doorbell rings and I quickly finish running the towel over my wet hair, throwing it over the back of the chair at my vanity before rushing downstairs.

I’m not quick enough and my mum answers, her and Rory’s voices floating up from the entryway.

“Rory, it’s so good to finally see you! I can’t believe you’re back safe and sound. I’m relieved beyond words,” my mother’s voice fills with genuine emotion as she wraps my best friend into her arms.

“Thank you, Evelyn,” Rory answers as I reach the bottom of the stairs and join them. “I’m glad to be back as well.”

“I just wished you’d told us before taking off. You have no idea how worried we all were.” My mum lets Rory out of the vice grip but keeps one hand on her arm to emphasise her point.

Rory gives an embarrassed, shy smile at the chastisement. “I’m sorry for that. I wanted to tell you, I really did. The authorities were quite strict about it.”

The story she’d concocted involved her and Ty taking on roles within the authorities, and a mission that sent them to the continent on short notice. My parents had questioned me at length about it, but in keeping with the secrecy, I was able to tell them that I was still in the dark, that Rory still couldn’t share the details. Thankfully, they bought it.

“And you’re still working for them now? Are you likely to disappear again?” Mum asks.

“It’s not likely at the moment, no. They have tasked us with a long-term project here in the city.”

“And let me guess, you can’t talk about it?”

She gives another smile and tucks a lock of her hair behind her ear. “Sorry, no. I am under a strict non-disclosure agreement.”

“Is it anything to do with Froan taking legal steps to regain control from federal policy?”

“Mum, you know Rory isn’t going to be able to answer that,” I jump in, saving my best friend.

Rory shoots me a grateful look. “Sorry, Evelyn. I can’t say.”

“Okay, fine,” my mum replies, resigned. “I just worry about you and what you’ve got yourself wrapped up in.”

“I’m safe, we have plenty of security,” Rory tries to reassure her. And that is true, my best friend now automatically comes with her own blood bonded body guards. Her and Ty are never truly alone.

“As long as you’re not doing anything dangerous,” my mum says sternly. “We can’t have anything happening to you.”

The sentiment warms my chest. My parents will never replace her own family but since Rory’s dad was killed in a car wreck they have been some kind of pseudo-parents to her. They helped a lot initially as she was recovering from the same car wreck that took her father’s life.

“Come on,” I say to my best friend. “Pizza is on the way and I thought we could put a movie on and open some wine.”

Leading her upstairs to my room, it feels a little juvenile, hiding away like teenagers, but I want us to be able to talk freely, and I’ve not exactly told my parents about my new relationship status yet either.

One bridge at a time.

“Thank you for this, I really need it,” Rory says as she flops down on my bed. “The ranch is starting to feel like a never-ending project. And every time we stop for more than a couple of hours I feel like I should be returning to painting or plastering or some other task on the infinite list of things.”

“You’re making progress quicker than I thought you would,” I tell her. “You should be finished quite a bit sooner than the time I’d normally allocate for a job this big.”

“Yeah, we just want it liveable, then we can stop being completely in each other’s pockets. I know that sharing rooms is getting a little cramped for a few of them.”

“The out house should be ready soon, enough for some of you to sleep in there at least.”

“I can’t wait,” she says. “Although, they might refuse to leave me alone in the main house if Ty has to go to the continent.”

“Ty is leaving Froan?” This is news.