Astrid smoothes her knotted-up side braid with a trembling hand. “Also good.” She motions toward him. “The beard is . . . it’s different.”
His eyes widen.
“I like it,” she hastily adds. “It’s just . . . it’s been a long time.”
“Cheers. You look well. Like you haven’t aged a bit. But then, I guess it’s always been that way, hasn’t it?” I’ve never seen Cameron appear so uncomfortable.
It’s then I notice that Kellan’s tugging on the bracelet he always wears as he stares at the woman he considers to be his mother in confusion. It sounds weird, but this little action, the one that lets me know he’s uncomfortable with something, makes me want to cry because it’s so familiar. Gods, I’ve missed him.
He must sense these feelings rolling around me, because he looks away from Astrid to where I’m standing. When our eyes finally meet each other, the sharp pull of the Connection between us wicks the air straight out of my lungs. Oh, does he look good. Tired, sad, confused . . . but so, so gorgeous.
I blink and look away first. I need to get control over my feelings for him if I’m ever going to be able to make amends to any of them. Stupidly, even just a half hour ago, I thought it might be . . . not easy, but easier than before, simply because I know what I want now.
But no. All those feelings I had for him before are just as strong as always.
Nearby, Astrid’s smile is tremulously fragile as she shifts her attention to where Will and I are standing. “I am so pleased to see you home safe and sound, Chloe.” In the next few seconds, I’m surrounded by the best kind of motherly hug I’ve ever felt. My arms don’t know what to do. I loop them around her, but it’s like they aren’t worthy to hug her back, let alone hear these kind words.
She squeezes me, the scent of violets strong and reassuring before she lets go. “And I am so pleased to see you again, William, although I’m sorry it’s been so long.”
I know I ought to be focusing on righting my wrongs right now, but I’m sorry. Cameron wins for my immediate attention when he coughs again, shoving his hands into his pockets, looking like he’s in the most uncomfortable situation of his life.
Will’s dark eyes flash at his father. “Did she just say what I think she just said?”
Astrid frowns, confused, and the WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE siren is going off at full blast in this room. “He’s lovely,” she says to Cameron, who apparently doesn’t know what to say. “I see so much of the both of you in him.”
I briefly catch the confusion on both Callie and Kellan’s faces as my eyes make their way to Jonah’s. There’s another silent question for me. I think it’s: what the hell is going on?
Which is an excellent question.
“What the hell is going on?” Will wisely demands for all the rest of us in the room.
Cameron and Astrid have a silent, anguished stare-off, graduating what was once the worlds’ most awkward moment to the universe’s. Something passes between them, and abruptly, all my shit feels pretty insignificant to whatever’s going on with these two.
Finally, to me and Will, he says, “Astrid and I . . .” He scratches at his beard. “We go way back.”
“What’s this?” Callie says from her perch on the couch at the same time Will says, “What the hell?”
The twins remain silent. They’re smart. I’m stupid, because I ask, “What does that mean, go way back?”
An undecipherable look passes between them before Astrid says, “I grew up with William’s mother, Molly. She was my childhood best friend. Our families even immigrated to the Human plane together.”
Did not see that one coming, either.
“Technically,” Astrid says, her smile nearly breakable, “I’m your godmother, William.”
And . . . the surprises keep coming.
“Excuse me?” he asks at the same time Callie barks from the couch, “Excuse me?”
“Wait,” Kellan says, wading into this mess, “so you know these nons?”
Ohh, his voice is so good to hear again.
“Yes, this!” Callie juts an accusing finger toward her mother and Cameron.
Will glares over at Kellan and Callie, no doubt irritated by the use of non. I swat at him before he can start a fight, though, which earns me a glare. And a further silent question from Jonah.
I let out a frustrated sigh. I so badly just want to grab Jonah’s hand and drag him into my bedroom or, hell, even the hallway—Kellan’s, too—but in light of what’s going on with the people I consider to be family now, that’d only prove my selfishness.