The Law of Stars and Sultans

Chapter

Sixteen

You’ll Take a Piece of Me with You

“I’m Fallon.”

Ari watched, impressed, as Fallon held a hand out to Charlie. Although her eyes were burning with curiosity and questions, her fingers didn’t tremble once. She was steady as a rock. She had always been impressively self-possessed, but Ari still noted that subdued quality to her that hadn’t existed before. She wasn’t sure if she liked it.

The group introduced themselves to the Creaghs, Jai clapped Trey on the back in greeting, and then hugged Ari close. They moved into the sitting room and now everyone’s attention was on this weird reunion of sorts.

Charlie’s eyes glittered with a surprising amount of good humor and interest as he reached to shake Fallon’s hand. As they held onto one another, Fallon took another step closer to him and narrowed her eyes. After at least half of minute of intense scrutiny, she whispered regretfully, “You’re not him.”

Charlie frowned and shot Ari a quizzical look. She sighed, squeezing Jai’s hand in hers. Of course Fallon would be freaked out by this Charlie. She, unlike Ari, had never known this Charlie. This was the Charlie Ari had loved. Brooding, vengeful, intense Charlie was the young man Fallon had loved. He was nowhere in sight.

Fallon’s expression fell and she quickly stepped back against her mom. Caroline wrapped her arms loosely around her in comfort and protection.

As if he knew he’d somehow disappointed her, Charlie ran a hand through his hair. “Sorry,” he mumbled.

“No tattoo,” Fallon muttered, her eyes still on him.

At that, Charlie raised an eyebrow and curled his lip. “I had a tattoo? I hate tattoos.”

“You had the word ‘justice’ written in Arabic around your wrist,” Ari explained.

Charlie made a face. “I sound pretty tortured.”

“Yeah, you do. Dude, you love me a lot,” Mikey teased. Ari couldn’t help but giggle. It reminded her of old times.

Throwing his brother an unamused look, Charlie retorted, “I was obviously bored without your incessant pain-in-the-assery in my life.”

“Pain in the assery?” Mikey nodded. “I like that. I’m using that.”

“You can’t use that. If I impart any wisdom in this life, it’s ‘be original.’”

“Well, considering your history, I would’ve gone with ‘stay away from suppressants and sorcerers.’”

Ari sucked in her breath as everyone stiffened at the crack.

Mikey raised an eyebrow. “What? Too soon?”

Lips twitching, Charlie turned back to Ari. “You sure I went on a rampage because of this guy?”

Ari burst out laughing, all the fear and anxiety melting away for just a second. Everyone stared at her like she was nuts. Charlie asked, a small smile playing on his lips, “What? What is it?”

Her eyes flickered between Mikey and him and she shook her head, her eyes shimmering with tears. “Everything was worth it. To hear you two bickering again.” She turned to Jai and squeezed his hand. “It was so worth it. Does that make me an awful person?”

Jai shook his head, his expression serious. “Never.” He tugged on her hand and spoke to the others as he led her out of the living room. “Ari and I are just taking a minute.”

Worried that Jai’s sudden need for privacy meant something else had happened, Ari’s heart raced as she hurried up the stairs after him. She followed him into one of the smaller back bedrooms and watched with trepidation as he carefully closed the door behind them. He turned to her with a determined expression on his face. “What’s goi—”

The question was swallowed in his kiss as he pulled her into his arms and crushed her mouth under his, his hands tangling in her hair.

Her surprise quickly burned away with his heat, and she wrapped her arms around him, melting into the desperate, intoxicating kiss. When he finally let her up for air, he gazed into her face with hooded eyes, brushing his thumb tenderly over her swollen mouth. “I just really needed to do that.”

Oh.

A slow, delighted smile spread across her face and his beautiful eyes brightened at the sight of it. “Well, you know any time you get that urge, just go for it. I’m willing to accommodate.”

He grinned. “Good to know.”

She rested her head against his chest and sighed, enjoying this moment of peace since it was only going to last for another few minutes.

Feeling Jai’s fingers brush through her hair melted her even more, and she longed for the day when this was the kind of moment that wasn’t stolen.

“Did you get any sleep?” he asked quietly.

She nodded. “Trey made me.”

“I knew I was friends with him for a reason.”

She smiled and reached up to press a kiss to his throat. “I have to go.”

Jai’s arms tightened. “I want to come with you.”

“You know I need you here protecting them.”

“And who’s going to protect you?”

Tilting her head back to meet his eyes, Ari gave him a cocky smile. “I don’t know if you know this, but I’m pretty kick-ass now.”