THANKFULLY, THE REST OF THE day wasn’t as eventful as the morning. No more messes and no more catastrophes.

It was after dinner and Winston was walking me back to my room. Theo sulked behind us and pretended to be observing the artwork.

“Did you enjoy your birthday?” Winston asked.

“I did. Very much so,” I said and did an awful replica of Winston’s accent.

He laughed at my attempt as we reached the door to my room. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my body close to his. He tipped his head toward mine, and I closed the distance with my lips. My fingers tangled in his soft sandy hair as I tried to force myself to feel anything. Just something with Winston.

He seemed to be encouraged by my seemingly enthusiastic attempt. He pushed my back against the door and moaned into my mouth. His fingers dug into my hips trying to hold me closer to him.

“Wow.” He pulled away. He brushed my hair away from my face with a gentle touch. “Is it your birthday or mine?” he joked with a grin.

I smiled and grabbed his shirt pulling him in once more. “Mine, and birthday girl says she wants another kiss.”

“I think I’m okay with that.” He smiled and bent again.

This kiss was soft and sweet.

I could live with soft and sweet.

“See you in the morning.” He kissed me quickly once more.

I watched Winston disappear around the corner before I opened my door. Theo followed me inside and sat on the floor.

“I don’t know why you don’t just conjure an air mattress or something?” I snapped at him. After all, he was the source of my frustration.

He leaned back against the wall and stretched his long legs out. His black combat boots thwacked against the floor.

“I can’t just conjure stuff, Mara, you know that.”

“I know, I know,” I flopped on my bed. “You can’t make stuff just magically appear. It has to come from somewhere,” I mimicked his voice.

“So, you do listen to me when I speak.”

“Of course I do. Unfortunately, you’re usually right in what you say. Can’t you ever be wrong?”

He chuckled from the corner.

“And what was that with the table? I know you did it, Theodore.” I sat up to glare at him.

“You saw that?” he asked softly.

“I’m not stupid.”

He sighed and ran his fingers roughly through his hair. “Sometimes even those most in control of their powers have moments where they’re not in control.”

“Thank you, Yoda. I feel enlightened.”

“Yoda?”

“Yeah, you know. Star Wars? Little green dude that always speaks in riddles?”

“I have no idea what you’re saying,” he remarked.

I threw up my hands and flopped back down on my back. “You’re impossible.”

“I like to think that I’m simply stubborn. Not impossible.” When I didn’t say anything, he whispered, “Are you mad at me?”

“Yes,” I snapped. “You’ve been an even bigger jerk to me than usual since—”

“Since?” he prompted.

“Since you saw Winston in my bed. Nothing happened,” I whispered the last part.

“I know,” he breathed. “I’m sorry it angered me.” I felt like his apology wasn’t for me but for himself.

“Why does it bother you?” I asked softly, almost hoping that he wouldn’t hear me.

So much time passed that I assumed he hadn’t but, eventually, he said, “I … don’t … know.” His voice cracked on the last word.

Neither one of us said or did anything for a long time. I watched the last of the sunlit sky disappear. The moon replaced it and the stars sparkled brightly.

“It’s time,” Theo said and I could hear his clothes shuffle as he stood.

“Time for what?” I asked.

“You didn’t think I wouldn’t give my doll face a present now, did you?”

“I’m not sure I want a present from a guy that thinks I look like a doll.” I smiled so he’d know I was joking.

“Like I’ve said before—” he took my hands and hauled me up “—a very pretty doll. You know …,” he mused. “You still haven’t met Nigel. I think he’s feeling a bit neglected.”

I quirked a brow at his sudden change of topic. “Why don’t you bring him to my room? You already sleep on the floor; what’s one more unwelcome houseguest?”

He laughed. “I think Nigel might take you up on that offer.”

“Where are we going?” I asked Theo as he led me to the door. He glanced quickly from left to right and then motioned me out. “Quiet,” he whispered under his breath and pressed his index finger to his lips in case his words weren’t enough.

The halls were dark, only a sconce lighting the way. It was late, nearly midnight, and everyone was supposed to be in their rooms. If we were caught I knew we’d be in huge trouble. When we reached the main staircase, Theo pushed me behind a statue and then crept along the edges of the staircase, no doubt looking for someone who might reprimand us.

When the coast was clear, he came back to me and took my hand. A genuine smile was on his face. I didn’t think he’d ever smiled like this before. So light, happy, and … carefree.

We ran down the stairs, and I found myself trying not to giggle. Theo’s grip tightened on my hand as we turned down a hall I had never noticed before. Theo ran down the hall and dragged me with him. We reached a door, and Theo stopped.

He let go of my hand and closed his eyes. He put his hand on the knob, whispered something under his breath, and then the door swung open. He grinned triumphantly and took my hand again. Theo shut the door behind us, making sure not to slam it, and then turned his body so I could see what lay in front of us.

A garden.

A beautiful, magical garden. Everything was so green, so colorful, so … full of life. The flowers were all bright colors and the grass we walked on was the brightest green and thick like a shag carpet. The garden was large and open with benches and statues dotting the area. Fortunately, it wasn’t raining.

“Theo,” I breathed.

“Come on.” He grinned like a little boy. He hauled me further into the garden before falling to the ground and pulling me down with him. A little scream of fright escaped my throat.

Theo cradled me as we sat and said, “You didn’t think I’d let you fall, did you?”

I shook my head.

“Good.” He smiled and my stomach flip-flopped. “I want you to know that I’ll never let harm come to you. No matter how small.” His face was serious and he traced my cheek with his thumb.

“This place …,” I started, trying to ignore the pleasant zings coursing through my body from his touch.

“It’s the Committee’s garden, but tonight, it’s ours,” he explained.

I liked the way he said ours.

“It’s so beautiful,” I breathed, looking around. “How did you find it?”

He laughed. “I had a lot of time waiting for you to come along. I tried to find as many different routes out of here as I could. Just in case … I needed to get you out of here someday. I might be your protector, but they won’t share that kind of information with me.”

“I don’t see how you can leave through the garden,” I said and indicated the ten-foot tall cement fence encasing the garden.

“You can’t,” he said. “But I thought you would enjoy it out here. You haven’t been outside of the manor, except for the roof, since I brought you here.”

“Why wouldn’t they share escape routes with you?” I ask.

He sucked on his bottom lip, his lip ring disappearing for a moment. “To keep you inside,” he finally answered.

“Right.” I shivered at the thought. I breathed in the fresh air. “This is nice, thank you.” I squeezed his hand.

I laid down against damp grass and Theo did the same.

“The trees are so tall and so green.” I pointed to the trees that surrounded the manor like a sentinel.

“They are pretty big,” Theo agreed. “I like them.”

“I do too,” I admitted. “There’s something … comforting about them.”

He laughed. “Comforting?”

“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “They remind of a big fluffy blanket. A very green one.”

“I don’t think those trees are fluffy.” He chuckled. “I’d argue that they’re hard, seeing as they’re wood.”

“Don’t diss my analogy.” I hit his tattooed arm. “I think the moss makes them look fluffy.”

He shook his head back and forth and laughed softly under his breath. The grass rustled beneath him as he moved. He let go of my hand and moved his hands behind his head. I bit my lip as a question formed in my mind. Theo turned his head and saw me biting my lip.

“What is it? I know you have a question. You only bite your lip when you’re thinking really hard about something.”

“I haven’t seen any enchanters here with tattoos—what made you want to do that?”

“I guess I wanted something entirely mine,” he admitted. “From the time Adelaide and I landed here it felt as if our lives were someone else’s to control. I wanted something I chose for myself.”

“Did they hurt?” I asked.

“Will you think less of me if I say it did?” He cracked a smile.

“No,” I laughed and shook my head.

“They didn’t hurt too bad except for these.” He pointed to the ones on the inside of his arms. “The skin’s more sensitive here. Now this—” he fingered his lip ring “—hurt like hell. I cussed like a sailor when it was over.” He began to laugh at the memory.

“How’d you get them if you’ve never left the manor?”

“It’s a form of magic, they’re almost burned into the skin. As for my lip ring, it can only be blamed on a bunch of rowdy teenagers wanting to rebel. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

“May I?” I asked and tentatively held out a hand toward his tattoos.

“Sure.” He held his arm out.

Slowly, my fingers met his arm. His skin was smooth and soft with a light coating of dark hair. He felt warm but not overly so. With the fingernail of my index finger, I began to trace one of the many blue stars.

Theo’s eyes fluttered and a sound escaped his throat that sounded half strangled and half moan. From his expression you’d think I was doing something erotic. Was it possible that my touch affected him the way his did me? I continued to trace the star tattoos but my eyes were on him. He swallowed thickly, his pulse jumping in his throat. When his jaw twitched, he slowly opened his eyes.

His gray eyes were all fire no ice. “I think you better stop before I do something that I regret,” his voice was choked.

“O-O-Okay,” I stuttered and pulled away.

Theo rubbed his face and sat up. I thought he was about to leave but, instead, he pulled a small box out of his back pocket. He twisted the box in his hands as if contemplating something before he sat back down.

“This is for you.” He placed the box in my hand. “It’s for your birthday. I just … I didn’t want to give it to you in front of everyone else.”

“Oh,” I breathed in shock. “I didn’t think you got me anything. I figured you didn’t care. And i-it would’ve totally been okay if you didn’t get me anything.”

Why, oh why, did it mean so much to me that Theo got me something for my birthday?

A muscle in his jaw twitched. “I could never not care about you, doll face. Never,” he said, and his fingers quickly flicked out to skim my cheek. Just as quickly as he had touched me, he pulled away, but my cheek was left tingling. “Go on, open it,” he prompted.

I licked my lips and lifted the lid off the box. Something rattled at the bottom. I stuck my hand in and swished it around until my hand closed on the object. Slowly, I pulled it out.

It was a necklace.

The chain was long and pale gold, and hanging on the end of it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I fingered the tiny slender jar on the end of the chain. The jar was no longer and no wider than my thumb and a cork stopped the top. Inside the jar was moss, a few pale green and purple stones, and a live firefly. The firefly flitted around merrily and every few seconds its tail glowed a teal color and not yellow.

“Oh, my God, it’s beautiful, Theo,” I breathed.

“I made it,” he said and, when I looked up at him, I swore his cheeks were red.

“It’s incredible.” My mouth gaped open in awe.

“It’s an enchanted firefly.”

“The enchanter symbol, I remember,” I murmured. “This is … honestly the best present I’ve ever been given.”

“I’m glad to be the one to give it to you.” He flipped his head so his shaggy black hair would be out of his eyes. “So, feel any different? I know you worried about coming into your powers.”

“I feel like me. You mean … I’ve already gone all magicky?”

He laughed. “Yeah, wanna try a simple spell?”

“Yes,” I exclaimed without hesitation.

He lay down on the grass on his back, and I followed suit. It was starting to rain lightly now.

“Okay,” he whispered. “Concentrate.”

“I’m concentrating.”

“You’re going to do your hand like this,” he said and showed me how to wave my hand. Thumb over your middle finger with your index finger over your thumb. “And then you just do this,” he said and swished his right hand.

When I didn’t move my hand right, he corrected me.

“Just like that,” he encouraged when I finally got it right.

“Now say, ‘I come in peace’.”

“I come in—Theo!” I smacked him.

“Sorry, I couldn’t resist it.” He chuckled.

He was so carefree and happy right now. Lately, he had been so morose that I hated to be around him; it was nice to see underneath it all he was still a normal human being.

“What am I really supposed to say?” I asked.

Recovering from his laughter, he said, “You don’t say anything.”

“Nothing?”

“Nothing,” he repeated. “Close your eyes and envision safety, freedom, friendship.”

“Uh … okay,” I did as he said but felt doubtful this would actually work.

“Now wave your hand like I showed you.”

Biting my lip, I waved my hand.

I heard Theo’s delighted laughter and then, “Open your eyes, Mara.”

I opened them and gasped in surprise. Hundreds, maybe even thousands, of teal-colored fireflies lit the sky.

“Amazing,” Theo murmured. “You did it on the first try. You’re going to be a force to be reckoned with.” His voice was full of awe and pride.

He waved his own hand then and his fireflies joined mine.

“They’re beautiful,” I breathed, “so magical.”

Theo turned to me. “Would you like me to put your necklace on you?”

“Um, yeah sure,” I said, stunned by his offer.

He took the necklace from me and I swept my hair off my shoulders. He snapped the necklace in place but his fingers lingered on my sensitive skin.

I counted my breaths so I didn’t pass out.

One … two … three… What comes after three?

After an eternity, his fingers disappeared. It began to rain harder.

I twisted around to find Theo on his knees, his hands on his legs, and his head hung. His dark hair was already soaking wet and his shirt was sticking to his skin so I could clearly see his impressive physique.

Washboard abs? Check.

“Are you okay?” I shivered from the cool rain. The fireflies seemed undisturbed by the onslaught.

He shook his head back and forth and his hands fell off his knees to rest in the grass which he gripped like it was the only thing tethering him to Earth.

“I shouldn’t feel this way,” he growled, his voice laced with anger and desperation.

“What way?” I asked softly.

He slowly lifted his head. Rain ran down his hair, onto his face, and off his chin and nose.

“I shouldn’t care about you the way I do. Protectors are made to be indifferent, but I can’t be indifferent with you Mara. I think about you all the time and not about protecting you. I think about holding you, kissing you, being with you. I’m not supposed to have these kinds of thoughts about anyone,” he screamed and pointed to his head. His gray eyes blazed. “I’m supposed to protect you not love—” He buried his face in his hands and his chest heaved “Not love you.”

“What?” I gasped. “You—you don’t know me. How could you—?”

But aren’t you in love with him?

“I’ve known you for years, Mara. Years! But I didn’t realize what I felt for you was love until I saw you in the bed with Churchill. I’ve never loved anyone except my family and to feel it for someone that’s not was foreign. But when I saw his arms around you I knew then I was hopelessly in love with you. Hopelessly, irrevocably, undeniably in love with you. Despite all odds, despite everything, I love you.”

I opened and closed my mouth like a fish. What did one say when their crush expressed undying love?

His eyes darkened and he darted forward with his ninja-like reflexes. Before I knew what was happening, his mouth met mine and our lips began a fiery dance.

This … this was a kiss.

My veins, my lips, my whole body felt like it was on fire. My heart raced and my hands twitched with adrenaline. To steady them, I buried them in Theo’s dark wavy hair. It was softer than I had imagined it. He pressed me back so I lay on the ground and he hovered over me. My hands moved from his hair to his back and I pressed him closer so we were touching completely. His hips ground into mine and I thought I would explode. His lips left mine and crept down my neck. His lips were hot compared to the cool touch of the silver lip ring. Just as quickly as his lips had ventured south they started their trek back up and covered my waiting mouth. I inhaled the taste of him and brushed his tongue with mine. The sensation was incredible and I was surprised I didn’t spontaneously combust.

The rain continued to pour down, soaking us further, but with the heat we were generating, I didn’t feel it.

The grass squished beneath me as Theo pressed into me. His lips explored mine as his hands cupped my cheeks. Slowly, his hands began to descend. He lightly touched my neck, my sides, my waist and then his hands slid up my shirt and touched my bare skin. I arched into him, begging for more, and he groaned low in his throat. His hands crept further up my shirt until they rested on my breasts. I hummed in satisfaction.

I had never been touched like this before—never wanted to be—but it was more incredible than I could’ve ever imagined.

He pulled away slightly, and I used the opportunity to gently bite his lip. Air hissed through his teeth and then he kissed me again. It felt like he was trying to devour my soul.

“You. Are. So. Beautiful,” he murmured as he kissed his way down my neck again.

I ran my fingers under the edge of his shirt and luxuriated in the feel of his bare back. His muscles rippled beneath my hands. He crushed his body into mine and I wrapped my legs around his hips. He continued to kiss my neck and then the shell of my ears before he kissed my mouth again. My lips met his like I was starved for him and not air. My fingernails dug into his back, drawing blood. He gasped in surprise and then kissed me more forcefully. His hands drifted back down and he gently pinched my waist. His tongue flicked into my mouth and I sighed in pleasure.

More. More. I needed more.

I pushed his shirt up and he broke the kiss to pull it off. He tossed the piece of fabric into the grass and then was on me once more. His lip ring pressed hard against my mouth. While he kissed me, I traced his abs and chest and shoulders. His muscles flexed as he moved above me. The rain slicked his body and my hands slid down to grip his belt and hold him even closer. He growled and pressed into me harder.

I moaned into his mouth and he groaned in satisfaction.

His fingers left my waist and tangled into my wet hair.

“Mara,” he rasped against my lips.

Slowly, I blinked open my eyes. The teal-colored fireflies continued to buzz around us. My heart was beating so fast I was surprised it didn’t dance out of my chest.

He tenderly tucked my hair behind my ear and cupped my chin before kissing me leisurely, but no less passionately, once more. He pressed his forehead to mine and his chest heaved as his breathing accelerated and brushed against my face. He tenderly held my cheeks and stared into my eyes. His hair tickled my forehead but I didn’t dare move.

“I’m sorry I’ve been such an ass,” he finally said and grinned.

“You’ve been an ass to me ever since I ran into you in the hallway of my home,” I said breathlessly.

He chuckled. “You get under my skin like no one else.”

“I don’t know about that,” I muttered. “Everyone seems to get under your skin.”

“Well—” he shrugged and continued to hold my cheek “—I guess I can’t argue with you there, but you bother me more.”

“I bother you more?” I asked and didn’t know whether to be flattered or offended.

“You seem to know how to push my buttons better than even my sister.” He grinned. “It keeps me on my toes.”

His gray eyes darkened to the color of storm clouds before a torrential downpour. He pressed his lips to mine and pulled away with a strange look on his face which left me feeling confused.

“We better get back inside,” he said and picked his shirt up off the ground. “I don’t want you to get sick.”

He pulled the wet shirt on and then held out a hand to help me up. I expected him to keep a hold on my hand but instead, he let go. Theo opened the door and ushered me inside. Our wet clothes made it more difficult to sneak our way through the manor but we eventually made it back without attracting any notice.

“I’m going to shower,” I said from the doorway of my bathroom. Theo’s back was to me, his head hung, and his shoulders tense. “Theo, are you okay?” I asked softly and started toward him.

He flinched before I even touched him. “I’ll be right back,” he muttered and left the room.

I stood in the middle of the floor, stunned and shivering.

When I couldn’t stand being cold any longer I climbed in the shower and made it as hot as I could stand it. Once I was thawed out, I brushed my hair and pulled on some pajamas.

Theo wasn’t back yet so I climbed into the bed and burrowed myself underneath the covers.

The door to my room opened and I sat up to see Theo enter. Something jumped onto my bed and I squealed.

“It’s only Nigel,” said Theo as he fixed his sleeping bag on the floor. He had obviously showered and smelled amazing even from this distance. He was wearing baggy gym shorts and a t-shirt to sleep in.

“Hello, Nigel.” I stuck my hand out for the cat to sniff me. His green eyes were huge and looked at me with silent intelligence and mystery. “You’re a pretty boy.” I scratched him behind his ears. He began to purr.

“Nigel, down here.” Theo patted the top of his sleeping bag. The cat flicked a glance at his master and then lay down on my bed with his head on top of his paws. “Traitor,” Theo muttered and lay down on the floor with his hands behind his head.

“Theo,” I inquired softly. He glanced at me and quirked a brow so I’d know he was listening. “You can …” I swallowed. “You can sleep in my bed if you want. I mean, we have slept in the same bed before.” I shrugged, thinking back to our time on the road after we left my house and headed here.

He shook his head back and forth.

“What I said … the kiss … Mara, I’m sorry but … it doesn’t change anything.”

I closed my eyes and lay back in the bed. I put my hand over my mouth so he couldn’t hear my sobs but he would know anyway. Theo always knew.

I’d never had my heart broken but, right then, it was shattering into a million tiny pieces.