Pits & Poison: These Godly Lies (The Peaches and Honey Duology Book 2)

by R. Raeta

Once, he kept his memories close—shielded them with a fierceness that betrayed their value. Now, he wraps each one like a gift and watches her face as he peels back the layers of who he is. Only she could make feeling exposed feel like relief.

“It’s strange to realize such a crucial event in my life stopped being important enough to carry.”

It is a strange thing to love the heart that invites pain under their roof.

Jiro has yet to shed his scowl. “You just come whenever you want, then?” Khiran sets his package on the counter before shrugging out of his coat. “One tends to do that in their own home.” He holds the coat, momentarily uncertain. Anna realizes he’s not sure what to do with it now that he’s unable to make it disappear with a bit of magic and a flick of his wrist. She quickly steps forward, kissing his cheek and taking it from his hands. “I’ll put it in the bedroom. How was your trip?” Khiran glances at the stranger in his kitchen. “Apparently not as eventful as your time at home.”

“What do you think?” he asks in perfect French. “Shall we admit to living in sin, or will you drag me to the nearest chapel and make an honest man out of me?” Anna rolls her eyes, swatting his arm. “I’m a modern woman. I demand a proposal on bent knee.” His eyes darken, the curl of his mouth turning suggestive. “You know I have no qualms kneeling for you. Shall I remind you of my devotion tonight, my love?”

Khiran blinks, frozen in the doorway as he surveys the chaos. “There’s a tree in our living room.” Anna hums, threading a needle through a piece of popcorn. There’s a pile of popped kernels in the lap of her dress that she’s been alternatively eating and decorating with. Jiro decided to brave the rain to try to find more red hollyleaf berries, so he can finish the strand he started. “There is.” “It’s rather large.” She glances at the tree, its peak so tall it curls against the ceiling. “It looked smaller in the forest.” “I see,” he murmurs,

“So this is my home?” It breaks her heart that he feels the need to ask. “Yes. For as long as you want it.” He nods, tongue in his cheek. When he meets her eyes, there’s a determined edge to his stare. “Then I don’t want any more of your money.” Anna blinks, her lips parting around a gentle protest, but he doesn’t give her the opportunity. “If you pay me, it’s just a job that happens to come with meals and a roof,” he says, voice firm. “I don’t want that. Not anymore. I just—I want to be home for Christmas.” He takes a deep breath, swallowing, before he adds, “Please.” Anna gives him a trembling smile, her eyes glassy. “Welcome home, then.”

“Why don’t you and Khiran set up one of the board games? Maybe Scrabble?” Jiro frowns. “He always tries to cheat!” Khiran is already fishing the box from the cabinet, rolling his eyes. “I’m telling you, chapeau is a type of hat.” “It’s French!” “So is the word menu, but I’m certain you’d allow it.” Anna shakes her head. “Jiro, grab the dictionary, would you? Khiran, if it’s not in there, you can’t play it.” “It would’ve been there if it were a newer edition,” he grumbles weakly. She turns, heading toward the kitchen, but she catches Jiro’s retort (“then buy one”) before their voices become too muffled to interpret.

Then Jiro’s voice, soft as it is, reaches her before she turns the corner. “You really do love her… don’t you?” Anna stills, listening for his response. Khiran breathes a laugh. “Love is too small a word,” he murmurs, “but I suppose it will do.” A smile tugs at her lips, and Anna takes a moment to lean against the wall and hope.

Sometimes, he fears her heart as much as he loves it. Fears the way it puts others first and herself second. There is nothing more terrifying than knowing she would put herself at risk to save him.

“You can’t possibly be asking me that. Anna, victory could be written in the stars, and it still wouldn’t be enough to convince me to risk you.”

Rubbing her arm with her free hand, over the pale patches of skin she knows will be entirely too visible. She looks up at him through her eyelashes, her smile timid. “You’re certain I won’t cause a scene?” Khiran’s eyes soften, his palm cupping her cheek. “I’m certain the opinions of strangers weigh less than the joy you would be robbing yourself of if you let yourself fear them.”