Stars of Fortune (The Guardians Trilogy 1)

“What? No.” Sawyer caught Bran’s amused look, rubbed the back of his neck.

“Everybody gets their own room.”

“I’ll take her up.” Riley rose. “Since we’re going to be friends.”

“Thank you. And thank you for the good stuff and the wine.”

After Riley took her out, Sawyer lifted his arms. “She was just there, standing on the beach. Like in the sketch. Just there.”

“And now she’s here.” Bran looked at Sasha. “What did you read?”

“Joy. So much joy I nearly burst with it myself. And an incredible sweetness. Is she holding something back? Yes, I’m sure she is. But everything she said about the stars, about this island, she believes is truth.”

“Clearly English isn’t her first language,” Bran speculated. “But if she needs to keep where she’s from to herself for now, it’s a small thing.”

He picked up the sketch. “She’s meant to be here, with us, and so she is.”

“Five down,” Sawyer said, “one to go.”

“Let’s hope the one to go waits at least until morning. I want some sleep.” Bran turned to Sasha. “You’re tired yourself.”

“I’m not used to introductions and powwows at nearly two in the morning.”

“I’ll wash this up.” Sawyer picked up the plate. “Go ahead. I’m right behind you.”

Bran took Sasha’s hand as they walked out and, testing, brought it to his lips. “Not angry anymore?”

“Oh, I’m still angry. I can put it aside for the big picture.”

“I get angry myself when I see you making yourself sick.”

“It’s my problem, my business.”

He flicked a nosegay of lavender out of the air, handed it to her at her door.

“Magic flower tricks don’t charm me.”

“They do. But more important, you’re my problem and my business now as well.”

Cupping a hand behind her head, he pulled her in, took her mouth in a quick, warm warning of a kiss. “You’ll have to deal with that as well. Good night, fáidh.”

She stepped quickly into her room, shut the door before she did something insane like pull him inside with her.

It hadn’t been a lover’s kiss, she told herself, as she traced a finger over her own lips. Not brotherly either. It was more . . . making a point.

That’s what she needed to remember.

He wasn’t attracted to her. They were teammates, and he was trying to keep her in line.

Well, she’d keep herself in line.

But she slept with the lavender on her pillow, and slept without dreams.

CHAPTER SIX

Sasha awakened to sun diamonds sparkling on blue water, and wondered at the turn her life had taken. Whatever came after, moments like this offered wild beauty. The idea of setting up her easel, trying to interpret that beauty on canvas had her pushing up in bed. Until she remembered she was part of a team, and the team had an agenda.

A team of five now, she thought, with the addition of the gorgeous and quirky Annika Waters.