Opulent (The Opalescent Collection Book 1) Read Free Page A

quickly though it left a bitter taste in my mouth.
    “Why are you going through so much trouble for me? You must have better things to do then to tend to my needs,” I said at last.
                  He shrugged. “You need some looking after.”
    “I don’t need your help.”
    “Now, now, let’s not be resentful. After all, I did just save you from drowning.”
    “I didn’t need your help. I could’ve saved myself if you hadn’t plunged into the water to save me.” 
                  He straightened up and leaned against the chair slickly. For a moment his gaze rested on the bottle he held in his hands.
    “If that’s what you think.”
    “I mean…I don’t even know you.”
    “Oh you don’t?” He laughed quietly to himself.
                  I looked at him with a new sense of perplexity.
    “I’m just messing with your head.” He said after a few suspenseful moments of silence.
    “I…should be going home.” I handed him the mug, my head jerking in the direction of the door.
                  His hand gripped my shoulder and I turned back to face him. He did look familiar in some way.
    “You should rest,” he insisted.
    “No, honestly, I’m fine.”  
    “Should I come with you?”
    “No, stay here. I will be fine.”
                  He shrugged on his cape and set the bottle down on the velvet chair.
    “What are you doing?”
    “I’m coming with you.”
    “So you’re going to walk me home?”
    “Well, can you walk?”
    “I think so.” With Fitzray’s hand offering leverage, I was able to stand without much difficulty at least.
                  Outside it was misty and cold. The first signs of daybreak erupted through the clouds of the passing storm, making me realize that I had spent the whole night unconscious in a stranger’s house. This only pushed me faster and I did not stop until I saw my brother’s old shack. I never thought I would be so relieved to see it in my life.
    “Thank you,” I said quietly.
    “You don’t need to thank me. I’m just keeping an eye out for you,” he chimed in a near-mocking tone.
    “Still, thanks.”
                  Once I turned to open the door, Fitzray called my name. I was not out of the woods yet.
    “Come back to my house later. I’ll tell you all about the insanity of this obscure planet.”
                  I smiled and walked inside, not giving his words much thought. “I’ll see you later then,” I called back in attempt to appease him.
                  Zaire was not there when I entered the house so I went up to my bedroom. Amelia and Calvin sat on my bed half-asleep but became alert when they saw me.
    “What happened?” Amelia shouted loudly, practically jumping up.
    “Well, I was nearly killed by a couple of clan members and a werewolf…and nearly drowned in a lake, but that’s not any new news on my account.”
    “I knew that guy was trouble!” She cried.
    “He’s not all bad,” I struggled to justify. “He saved me today.”
    “Well, just as long as you’re ok.” Calvin mumbled, barely listening to me anymore.
    “Well, now that you’re here safe and sound, I’m going home. It’s like four in the morning and I am exhausted. But this conversation is not over!”
                  Once she left, I looked at Calvin, his sleepy eyes coming to life before me. Tiny orange sparks glittered in his black eyes, like dying embers that caught fire again. When his eyes took their radiant orange glow, he stood up and stretched, letting out a yawn.
    “I’m going home too.” He said, quickly kissing my cheek.
    “Good night.”
    “Yeah, good night, sweet dreams…see you tomorrow I guess,” he cooed and sluggishly left the room.
                  Silence enveloped the room as soon as my friends were gone and in the moment of peace, I rested my aching head against my pillow and fell