Once We Were Starlight

My shoulders relaxed a fraction and I let out a small laugh that was mostly breath.

“Listen, Karys,” he went on. “I know you’re nervous and afraid. Hell, I would be too. I’m on unchartered territory also. But, my brother, well, frankly, he would have killed me if I left his kid on the other side of the world alone, and Beaux was a scary-ass dude when he wanted to be.” I glanced at him as he smiled over at me but his smile quickly vanished as he looked back at the road. “I only wish he’d known about you. Your life, it would have been a lot different, I promise you that.” I didn’t look at his face, but I saw his knuckles turn white where they gripped the steering wheel.

When we arrived at his home, he led me up a set of outdoor steps, inside a building and up another set of steps. His apartment reminded me of the hotel room where Zakai and I had stayed after Zakai left the hospital. It was small and it was clean with white walls and thick tan carpeting.

“This way,” he said, leading me down a short hallway and into a room. He set my suitcase next to a bed with a colorful flowered quilt. The sight of those startling flowers made my breath come easier. “Um, so I know it’s bright, but my girlfriend, Claire, picked out the bedding—”

“It’s perfect,” I murmured, running my hand over it.

“Okay, good. I’m glad you like it. I’m shit at decorating. I mean, damn, I’m crap at well, anyway, you’ll meet Claire tomorrow. She’s going to help you shop for some more clothes, okay?”

I turned to him. “Can I call Zakai?”

Braxton’s brow dipped. “Not tonight, Karys. It’s too late. Tomorrow, okay?”

Tomorrow. I was exhausted. Even so, the long dark night stretched before me. Who would I turn to when the fear set in?

“I’d like to see him at dawn,” I said.

He pressed his lips together. “Karys . . . we can talk about this tomorrow, but I think . . . well, if you’re going to thrive . . . I think it’s a good idea if you start off here putting a little distance between you and Zakai.” He held his hands up. “For him too. You both need to get settled in to your new lives. That should be the priority.”

New lives.

I stared at this man I was related to and yet was a stranger. I looked away, running my finger over the edge of the pillowcase. Zakai was my priority. “I’d like to go to sleep now,” I said softly.

My uncle paused, his gaze wandering to my bosom and quickly shooting upward as he cleared his throat. “Yeah, of course. You must be beyond tired after that flight. The bathroom’s next door to your left and, if you need anything from the kitchen, water, whatever, I’ll leave the light on over the stove.” He headed for the door, pausing before he walked through, turning back toward me. “I’m really happy you’re here, Karys.” He gave me a small smile. “And I know your dad would be happy too.”

The door shut softly behind him and I sunk down to the bed, dissolving into those bright flowers that reminded me of home, silent tears tracking down my cheeks, my longing for Zakai a heavy stone upon my heart.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

If I’d been looking for color, more of it entered my life the next morning when Claire Simmons swept into Braxton’s apartment with her long curly hair the color of a fiery sunrise and eyes as blue as a midsummer sky. She plunked down in a chair across from where I sat at the dining table and spread her hands flat on the wood. “My God, you’re too gorgeous for words.” She looked at Braxton who was standing at the counter pouring orange juice. “Brax, you didn’t tell me what a stunner she is.”

Braxton smiled over at me, but his smile looked awkward.

I blushed, lowering my gaze. “Thank you,” I said, using my fork to move the scrambled eggs around on my plate.

“And shy about it?” Claire asked. “You are a marvel indeed.” She lifted her hands from the table, clapping them together. “So, are you ready to get our shop on or what?”

I glanced at Braxton, unsure. I had learned how to count money, but I didn’t have any of it. He had mentioned that Claire was going to take me shopping but no more than that. Thankfully, Braxton seemed to read the worries in my eyes because he pushed himself off the counter, reaching in his pocket and taking out his wallet. “Buy whatever you need.” He handed a plastic card to Claire. “Classes start in a week. You’ll need a coat and some practical shoes.”