Kellan's lips hovered a breath from mine.

"I knew you wanted me," he whispered. "But there's no reason for you to throw yourself at me."

"Shut up." I pounded his chest with my fist. "I'm trying to prevent your circles from killing each other."

The light outside the back door cast a warm glow on this face, leaving a shadow of evening darkness accentuating his features.

"Uh-huh." He wrapped his arms around me and grinned. "That's why you're out here with me. You can lie to yourself, but I know the truth."

"That you're infuriating?" I struggled against his grip, trying to ignore the tingling sensation, building inside me from our bodies being pressed together. "You used our connection to draw me here."

Jaxon scanned the area and furrowed his brow.

"Careful." Kellan's biceps pressed into my arms, preventing me from squirming out of his grasp. "If you let go of me, and I suddenly appear out of nowhere at Jaxon's feet, I think he'll know you're here with me."

I stopped trying to break his hold and froze. "I hate you."

"Now, is that any way to talk to your future partner?"

I let out a groan in frustration. "In case you missed today's court session, my future partner is standing right there."

The playful smile drained from Kellan's face. "He's not your match, and you know it."

"The spiral ring circling my leg says otherwise."

Jaxon took one last glance around, then headed back toward the inn's door.

"He stood right there and didn't even know you were here."

The back door swung open, and Robin stepped over the threshold holding a pint. "Hey, there you are. What are you doing out here?"

"I don't know. Just paranoid, I guess." Jaxon glanced back over his shoulder, then shook his head. "For some reason, I had a feeling that Wren was out here."

I slapped Kellan's chest and waved a hand in Jax's direction. "See?"

"He might sense your presence"—the corners of his lips drew into a wide grin—"but I know."

"Shhh." I held my fingers to his lips, wanting to hear the two of them at the door.

"Man, you have it bad for her." Robin took a swig from the pint, and some of the golden liquid sloshed onto the ground from his quick movement.

Jaxon's shoulders slumped, and he sighed. "Kind of hard to deny that after today."

"Come on." Robin stuck his foot in the door jam, holding the door open. "She's probably still inside with Sage."

The door shut behind them, and Kellan squeezed me tighter.

"Let go." I tried prying apart his grip. "I need to get in there before they realize I'm gone."

"You mean before he knows you're with me." He raised a brow. "Nope. I think I'm just going to cuddle you a little while longer while I have the chance." The corners of his lips turned up into an evil grin, with the light highlighting the five o'clock shadow bristling his chin. "You're my captive."

"Kellan..." I could feel my heart race faster. "Let me go before it's too late."

"Okay, but I guess you'll have to wait to find out what I learned about your father while I was locked up." His grip loosened and slid his hands to my hips.

I wanted to shake him for waiting so long to tell me he had news of my dad. "Is he all right?"

"Wren?" Sage's voice echoed through the open washroom window. "Of course she's here...no you can't come in." Then there was another pause like Jaxon had said something to her. "Guys have their own washroom, go use that one."

I glanced at the wall, knowing I had only seconds, I grabbed Kellan's hand and got to my feet. "You're coming with me."

"To the women's washroom?" He halted at the wall. "You heard Sage. I can't go in there."

"Oh yes you can!" I stepped over the threshold dragging Kellan behind me.

"She's peeing." Sage stood with the door gripped tight in her hand, peering through the gap at Jaxon. "What do you think she's doing?"

Three closed stall doors faced us. I yanked Kellan's arm, pulling him through the first door.

"Can I open my eyes now?" Kellan asked with his eyes scrunched tight. "Cause the last thing I want to see is some old lady's—"

Wham. The door Sage held sounded like it hit the wall.

"Jaxon!" Sage hollered. "Do you have something against a girl peeing in private?"

The echo of Jax's boots thudded against the tile floor. "Wren?"

"Stand there." I pointed to the seat. "And whatever you do, stay quiet."

He arched a brow, suggesting I'd finally asked too much of him. "You know I'm First in my circle and if anyone else asked me to hide from Jaxon..." He shook his head and climbed up.

"Shhh. I'll be right back." I let go of his fingers and the blueish hue of the astral plane filtered away from the two of us. I reached past Kellan, pulled the cord dangling from the ceiling and a gurgling liquid sound forced its way through the pipes.

I pried the door open and slipped through the crack, with my stomach doing flip-flops. The door slapped shut behind me. "Jax? What are you doing in the washroom?"

His cheeks flushed, making his blond hair look white in comparison. He glanced at the floor, then back to me. "I just thought..."

"I'd run off?"

Beneath the cover of my dress's bodice, Kellan's ring churned and twisted making me feel seasick, even though I stood firmly grounded. I slid my arms across me, grabbed my elbows and tucked them close to my stomach, trying to suppress the queasiness.

"Sorry..." He scooped my fingers in his and pulled me a step closer. "I... I don't have an excuse really, other than I'm a jealous idiot that doesn't want to lose you again." He rested his chin on top of my head and hugged me close. "Maybe today took its toll on both of us."

Kellan's ring twisted again and I shuddered.

"Are you okay?" Jax asked.

"Does she look, okay?" Sage shoved between us and wrapped her arm over my shoulders. "She's positively green." She held a hand to my forehead.

"Maybe give me a few minutes?" I held my sides and cringed when my stomach twisted into another knot, responding to Kellan making the ring rotate faster and faster around my chest. "I'll find you."

"Sure." He hesitated when he got to the door. "If you need anything..."

"Don't worry. I know where you are."

He nodded, and let the door swing shut behind him.

"Lock the door will you?" I place my hand on either side of the sink still feeling like I might be sick.

Sage gave me a worrisome look. "Sure."

I took a couple of cleansing breaths, walked over to where Kellan hid and thrust open the stall door. "Will you knock it off?"

Kellan chuckled, hopped down off the seat and strolled past me. "I thought he'd never leave."

Sage jerked her head in Kellan's direction. "You brought him in here? Are you crazy?"

"I must be."

Thanks for reading! If you haven't had a chance to check out my #wattpadBlockParty post with the characters of the Dream Weaver series head over and have a read! https://www.wattpad.com/617317455-wattpad-block-party-summer-edition-iv-the3dreamers/ (See comment for a clickable link!)