It was a week after Brynn had come, I was sitting in the conservatory. I would’ve loved to ask her what was taking so damn long, but I had no way to talk to her unless she was standing on the front porch. Waiting was my only option. Luther and I were taking an unspoken research break, so on my lap sat an ancient copy of Wuthering Heights. I wasn't making any progress with the book though, because I was watching Felix stake one of his massive orchids. He turned and smiled at me, his fingers deftly tying the stem to its new support.

“You’re not wearing your gloves,” I pointed out. Felix was always wearing his gloves, a habit I assumed he hadn’t broken in over a hundred years.

He shook his head. “I was careful about wearing them before, because I didn’t want you all to know what I was doing. But now that the secret is out, I want to feel the soil under my hands.”

I smiled, watching him quietly until eventually he turned to me.

“Do you ever read anything Luther gives you, or do you just bring it in here for a few days and then give it back to him?” Felix smirked.

“Hey!” I protested. “I do read the stuff he gives me. Just not all the time. And besides, I read Wuthering Heights in college. I know the lowdown. Unrequited love and all that jazz. Leopards can’t change their spots.”

Felix laughed. “Sounds like you hold a high regard for the book.”

“I do. Right now I just have a high regard for something else.” I raised an eyebrow, giving him a smirk.

“Oh, yeah?” He started walking towards me, intent written all over his handsome face. “And what would that be?”

“I’ll give you three guesses.” I sat up straight in the chair, tucking the book behind me.

“Hmm…me?” I loved playful Felix. I loved the energy he embodied, and the way his smile made my stomach knot. I loved how much more often I got to see it, now we weren’t hiding things from each other. Now we got to love each other in the daylight.

“Right in one. Come and claim your prize.” I held out my hand to him, but he stopped short. A peculiar expression flashed over his face, like he wasn’t sure what was happening. “Felix? Are you okay?”

He shook his head, trying to smile. But I could read the pain behind his dark eyes, clear as day. “I just had the oddest chill come over my body. Like I’m sweating and cold at the same time.”

“Well that doesn’t make sense. I’m boiling in here today, so why the hell would you be cold? Are you getting sick?” I frowned, and gestured to him as I rose to my feet. “Sit down. Let me feel your forehead.”