Frozen in Time by North Crystal

Author:North, Crystal
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: North River Publishing
Published: 2020-08-21T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

It’s late by the time I return, a full storm raging outside in the darkness. If I didn’t know that I was responsible for it, I would stop and admire the beauty of the lightning illuminating the sky. I’m calmer now, but the storm I created still has to run its course.

I manage to slip past the guys in the kitchen and make my way to Soraya’s room. Knocking softly on her door, I let myself in when there’s no reply. It’s empty. Frowning, I wonder if she’s downstairs with the guys or upstairs in her favourite little reading nook. I decide to try the latter and head up.

Sure enough, she’s curled up in her favourite spot – I may have watched her a time or two – wrapped in an enormous fluffy blanket. Regret and guilt pang in my chest seeing her look so small. Watching her almost drown like that made me realise how much I enjoy having her around. Somehow I’ve actually come to care for her, and I’d quite like to keep her safe.

I watch her from the shadows. A book lies open in her lap but she isn’t reading it. She’s watching the storm through the windows overlooking the ocean. Every time the lightning strikes, the electric colours are reflected on her pale face.

“I’m sorry,” I say quietly, sneaking up to stand behind her. She startles and her head whips round to look at me.

“Why are you sorry?”

“For today. It’s my fault.”

“Hardly, you didn’t make me jump into the water.”

“I dared you. Same thing.”

“Yeah but I’m assuming you didn’t know about the rip tide...well, if you did that would make you a prick.”

“I didn’t. But I was a prick, so you probably felt pressured into doing it.”

She shakes her head and gives me a small smile. For the first time I’m struck by how pretty she is. Okay, that’s a lie. She was always beautiful, I just didn’t want to admit it. And as I watched my only friends in this world fall for and make a move on her, I knew I had to keep my distance. Only, after nearly losing her, I don’t want to be so distant anymore. And as much as I like to compete – and win – competing over her doesn’t sit right with me. Which makes me feel even more messed up and confused.

“Okay, well maybe a little.” She laughs, and after an astounded beat, I do too. Then I sit next to her on the small loveseat. It’s cosy (cramped for my large form) but it’s an excuse for me to wrap my arm around her under the guise of getting comfortable.

“Want to share the blanket with me?” I ask hopefully. She eyes my bare chest with a snigger.

“Finally feeling the cold?”

“Absolutely.” I’m obviously not. Just trying my luck. “From the moment I saw Loki holding your lifeless body in his arms, I’ve been shivering.”

Whoa. Where did that level of honesty come from? She blinks at me like I might be taking the piss, so I hold her gaze and try to show how earnest I’m being.

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