Let the Storm Break (Sky Fall #2)(60)

“Audra’s not sleeping on the couch, Mom.”

“Oh, really? Then where is she sleeping? Because she’s not sleeping here, Vane.”

“We’ll play by your rules—one of us on top of the covers and we’ll keep the door open.”

“That’s not good enough.”

“Why not? It was good enough for Solana.”

“Yes, but you aren’t dating Solana.”

“Dating,” Solana mumbles. “They’re a little past that now.”

My mom’s eyes narrow. “What does she mean?”

“Nothing,” I say quickly, but Solana won’t let it go.

“You’re not going to tell her?” she asks me.

“Tell me what?”

I can only imagine what kind of crazy theories my mom’s coming up with, but I have a feeling the truth is going to be just as bad.

Still, I can’t think of a lie to fix this, so I take Audra’s hand, focusing on my feet as I say, “Audra and I are bonded.”

The room falls painfully silent, and I swear all the air disappears, because I can’t breathe anymore. My mom must not be breathing either, because her voice sounds superstrained when she asks, “What does ‘bonded’ mean?”

“It means that we’re connected to each other now,” Audra explains when I don’t answer. “Kissing is different for sylphs than it is for humans. It forms a connection between us. A physical bond.”

“And it’s permanent?”

I close my eyes as I nod, wishing I could fast-forward through the epic freak-out that I know is coming—but sadly I can only control the wind, which is feeling like a pretty useless power right now.

“How could you do that?” my mom asks, her voice so highpitched I’m surprised it doesn’t shatter glass.

My palm turns sweaty and I feel like I’m shaking—but then I realize it’s Audra’s hand shaking, not mine. I glance at her, hating the hurt I can see in her eyes.

“How could I do what?” I snap.

“Vane,” my mom says, squeezing the ice packs so tight they crackle. “I know you think you’re in love with her—and maybe you are. But you’re seventeen. Do you really think that the things you want now are the things you’re going to want forever?”

“Yes.”

My mom shakes her head. “She’s your first girlfriend, Vane. You haven’t even considered . . .”

She doesn’t finish the sentence, but her eyes are focused on Solana.

I’ll give Solana credit, she looks almost as uncomfortable with my mom’s insinuation as I feel. But she also looks a tiny bit hopeful, like part of her is wondering if I’m realizing I made a mistake.

I tighten my grip on Audra. “I know this is going to be hard to believe, Mom, but I know I will always love Audra.”

“You say that now—”

“No—you don’t get it. I’ve loved Audra for as long as I can remember. I never told you because, well, that would’ve been weird. Especially since I didn’t know if she was real. But yeah, Audra’s always been the one—and she always will be. You know me—you know I would never say that if I wasn’t sure. I’m sure.”

“I . . . don’t know what to say.”

“Say you trust me. I chose the right girl—I promise.”

“Excuse me,” Solana says, pushing past us and practically running out of the room.

“Well, I guess that settles that,” my mom says, watching her disappear down the hall.

I can’t tell if the regret in her tone is because Solana looked hurt or because Solana’s gone. Either way, I can’t take it anymore.

“Look,” I say, pressing on my forehead, trying to shove back my headache. “I have a lot going on right now and I just . . . I need you to trust me—please? I need someone on my side or . . .”

My voice cracks and I look away.

I shouldn’t be this upset, but I need my parents to be okay with this. I can’t take on them and the Gales and Solana and Raiden and . . .

“Hey,” my mom says, stepping forward and wrapping me in a hug. Somehow she manages to avoid all my bruises and not touch me with the ice packs as she whispers, “Okay, Vane. I’ll trust you.”

“Thank you,” I whisper back.

I soak up the hug long enough for us to both take a deep breath. Then she lets me go and turns to Audra.

“I . . . guess I should be saying, welcome to the family!”

I smile as she gives Audra the most awkward hug of all awkward hugs—complete with an uncomfortable back pat.

“We’re not married, Mom. Not . . .” I stop myself, deciding not to say “not yet.” That should be Audra’s decision.

My mom lets Audra go and turns to me. “Well then, as long as she’s not your wife, I’m going to hold to my one-of-you-sleeps-onthe-couch policy. I’ll let you guys decide who gets the bed.”

“Come on—we’re not going to do anything with you and Dad down the hall. And I thought you said you trust me.”

My mom sighs—one of the dramatic kind that shakes her shoulders. “Fine. But you will keep the door open and I will be checking on you guys all night.”