Veiled Spirits - Page 55

After I get the strings tuned properly, I move over to sit on the piano bench again. Cain sits next to me. Closing my eyes, I start playing and singing “The Albatross.”

As I sing, my mind wanders to all the ways I bring danger and hold back those I care about. Bishop has been stuck waiting for a mate he can’t have. My family has to deal with the judgment of the whole town for a magicless daughter. And now the wolves have to worry about the mage council.

When I’m done with the song, I open my eyes and turn to Cain to see what he thought about it. “I liked it. What makes it your favorite song?” Cain tilts his head and rubs his jaw with one hand as he watches me.

Throwing a leg over the piano bench, so I’m straddling it, I turn to Cain. “Well, I love the sound of it. I think it’s my favorite because I can relate to feeling like an albatross.”

“You’re not a burden.” I scoff at Cain, and he sighs. “Do you think I’m a burden?”

“What? No! Of course not.” I’m appalled that he would ever think he’s a burden.

“As a child, I was constantly told what a burden I was and how worthless I am. Just because someone tells you that you’re a danger or bad or wrong doesn’t make it true.”

“I’m sorry, quiet boy. That sounds like a really rough environment to grow up in. Do you want me to kill whoever told you that?”

Cain barks out a startled laugh. It’s the first time I’ve heard the quiet wolf laugh. His deep, slightly rough, chuckle rumbles through the room and tugs the corners of my lips up in a smile. “My mother’s dead, but thank you, angel.”

“Oh. I’m sorry? Or I’m glad?” I’m not really sure which one to go with. When in doubt, do both. That’s my life motto.

His mouth twitches up in a smile at me. “Thank you.”

Seeing him smiling and laughing makes my heart skip a beat. The serious wolf needs more joy in his life. All three of the wolves do, really. They don’t laugh nearly enough.

I open my mouth to respond when a voice from the doorway cuts me off. “Can I talk to you, Izzy?”

Looking over, I see it’s Bishop. My stomach sinks, knowing exactly what he wants to talk about.

CHAPTER 28

IZZY

“You don’t have to talk to him, angel.” Cain glances between Bishop and me with a frown.

“I know, but it’s better to get this conversation out of the way. Thanks for bringing me here. It helped.” It wasn’t playing music that’s made me feel better. It was Cain and his thoughtfulness.

These damn wolves are dangerous to my heart. They’re considerate, sweet, and funny. Luca can still be demanding at times, but he’s grown on me. Unfortunately.

Standing up, I put the guitar away before walking to Bishop. My steps drag as I desperately want to avoid this conversation. I know he’s going to tell me I’m too much trouble and he’s done dealing with me. It’s the last thing my heart wants to hear while being exactly what my brain knows is necessary.

When I reach Bishop, he turns around and starts striding away. Walking away without a word is a great start to the conversation. Not.

Sighing, I follow Bishop as we wind through the wolves’ ridiculous palace. There’s no way this counts as a house. I knew they were wealthy, but this is just absurd. They have multiple ballrooms, dining rooms, and from what I can see, an absolutely colossal kitchen.

Bishop finally slows when we reach a room that has its door closed. He pushes the dark wood door open to a moderately sized sitting room. Three comfy-looking gray couches dominate the center of the room. Dark wood floors, light blue walls, and a massive TV give the room a casual vibe.

A wall of windows to my right overlooks the forest behind the house. From here, I can see a hint of a lake. I’m transfixed by the rippling surface for a moment. I wonder if the wolves will take me to their lake sometime.

I shake myself out of my perusal of the water and wander over to where Bishop is sitting down on one of the sofas. I stop a step away from his muscular legs.

He shoves one of his hands through his hair and blows out a breath. Bishop then looks up at me with his arresting baby blues. “I’m sorry,” he tells me gruffly.

My stomach drops like I jumped off a cliff, and my heart feels like it splattered on the canyon floor after the fall. “It’s okay. I understand.” I do understand why he’s done with me, but it still feels like someone is putting my heart through a shredder.

“You understand what?” Bishop stares at me with confusion in his gaze.

“That you’re done with my shit. You lasted longer than I thought you would,” I say, trying to joke. It falls flat as my voice cracks on the last word. I close my eyes, so I don’t have to see the rejection in his.

“Fuck.” Bishop surprises me by placing his warm hands on my waist and tugging me down onto his lap. My eyes pop open when my knees land on the plush sofa on either side of him. “I’m not fucking done with you, Isabel. Jesus, sweetheart. I’m sorry I lost my cool that badly that you thought I was leaving for good. Yelling at you was what I was trying to apologize for.”