Retribution(68)

While she watched the others, Quin watched her, wondering how she still managed to surprise and amaze him after all the time he'd spent in her presence. Every day she revealed something new about herself, and it was never a disappointment to discover another layer of her complex personality. Each of them glittered like a star, so it was no wonder she sparkled brighter than the sun.

Tonight, he had the pleasure of watching her shed the armor she usually donned in social settings. She tended to drift through group discussions without reaching out or inviting people in. But tonight, for reasons Quin couldn't fathom, not only was she joining discussions, she was starting them, bypassing the insecure hems and haws and getting straight to her beautiful point.

“Quin!” Kegan laughed and nudged his shoulder. “Snap out of it, man.”

Quin looked over, finding Kegan holding out a pipe. “Thanks,” he mumbled, taking the herb. Then he lit it while returning his gaze to Layla. She was watching him, and he smiled as he pulled the pipe from his lips and blew her a heart-shaped smoke ring.

Kegan laughed, and Brietta grinned as she wrapped his bicep in a hug and laid her head on his shoulder. “I think it's sweet, but you know, he was like that with her even before they bonded.”

“I remember,” Kegan replied. “It surprised me when he agreed to play hockey. I didn't think he’d be able to pry himself away from her long enough to step on the ice.”

“I know,” Brietta giggled. “I had to talk him into it.”

“That explains it. You can talk anyone into anything. If you're selling it, people are buying it.”

Layla listened to their conversation while examining the pipe Quin handed her. The wooden stem was carved with the same markings Quin used in her library, and the dark stain was polished to a shine, reflecting the fire and moon. She had no idea how to smoke by herself, and while it didn't look difficult, she didn't want to make a fool of herself by fumbling through the process like an amateur, particularly since everyone who'd already taken a turn looked normal and not at all klutzy. They’d probably suggest she not partake if she couldn't even handle lighting the thing.

Quin leaned forward and quietly spoke. “Want some help?”

“No,” she answered, stubbornly tilting her chin. “I can do it… I think.” Holding up a forefinger, she summoned a small flame. Then she grinned at Quin. “Had to make sure I wouldn’t disintegrate it.”

He laughed as he sat back, but his gaze stayed on her profile as she tucked the stem of the pipe in her lips and carefully sucked while lighting the herb. Once she felt the smoke enter her lungs, she passed the pipe and slowly exhaled, glad she hadn't screwed up. Nevertheless, she had no interest in pushing her luck, so she declined when the next three offers came around.

Banning, Grant and Weylin were holding a spirited conversation about hockey tactics, and she humorously listened in until Quin grabbed her attention. “Brace yourself, love.” His magic clutched her body, and she relaxed as he floated her onto his lap. Sweeping her hair aside, he ran a forefinger down her neck, but when he got to her collarbone, he paused and found her eyes. “You seemed content sitting by yourself. Would you like me to return you to your seat?”

She took his hand and cuddled into his chest, kissing his fingertips as she looked up. “I was content, but this is much better.”

“I'm glad you think so, because I was missing you.”

He leaned in, kissing her forehead as light tingles slipped between them, and she giggled as her entire face twitched. Pulling his fingers from her lips, she buried herself in his neck, her smile parting around his strong pulse, and he sighed while wrapping her in a warm hug.

“We better get on with our discussion,” Kemble smirked, “before we lose two of our members for the evening.”

“By the look of those lights,” Brietta giggled, “we’ve already lost them.”

“Isn't it interesting,” Kegan noted, “that we're the ones who seem out of place? Like the glow they’re drowning us in is as natural and necessary as air, but we don’t have the lungs for it.”

“It's beautiful,” Brietta whispered.

“It's inspiring,” Kegan replied.

“Yes,” Catigern agreed, “it's all of those things and more, and we're extremely lucky we get to witness it, but perhaps we should figure out a way to keep it alive.”

Quin breathed deep then whispered. “You have to let me focus, love.”

Her mouth closed and stilled, and he pulled his face from her curls and shook his head. Glancing around, he shrugged and flashed a smile. “What could I do? She'd found my kryptonite.”