"I don’t understand what’s happening around us, Dorian," I whispered to him, confusion lacing my voice.
"Quiet, Alden," he hissed. "I know, but why is there a rat here?" I pointed, my eyes wide with disbelief.
"Really, Alden?" Dorian sighed. "It’s just a rat." But before he could finish, the rat leapt onto Kevin’s face, and both Dorian and I screamed.
"Will you all stop it?" Orion snapped, glaring at us. "It’s just a rat. You’re acting like it’s the end of the world," Kevin teased, clearly amused by our reactions.
"Figure out a way to distract Agnes," Elias said, his voice sharp with urgency.
"Alright, we’ll split up," Rowan decided quickly. "Peter and I will go first. Then you and Kian follow us."
"Got it," Elias agreed.
"What’s the plan?" Peter asked Rowan, his voice low but tense.
Rowan paused, thinking for a moment. "Wait… yes, that could work."
"Do you have an idea?" Peter asked, curious.
"Yes, but… can I really do it?" Rowan hesitated.
"What do you mean?" Peter asked, confused.
"Sorry… I’m going to have to kiss you," Rowan said quickly.
"A kiss?" Peter stammered, startled. "Uh, okay… if you really—"
Before Peter could finish, Rowan leaned in and kissed him. Peter froze, too shocked to speak, as the kiss lingered for what felt like an eternity. Seven seconds passed before Rowan pulled back.
"Did it work?" Peter asked, still dazed.
"No," Rowan admitted. "We’ll have to try again."
"Huh?" Peter blinked in confusion.
"Sorry, Peter," Rowan said, before kissing him again. This time, the kiss lasted for ten seconds.
"And now? Did it work?" Peter asked, still breathless.
"No, not yet. We need to make it longer," Rowan said with a sheepish grin.
"What?" Peter’s eyes widened, but before he could protest, Rowan chuckled. "I’m really sorry about this, Peter."
"Fine," Peter sighed, resigned. "Let’s do it."
Rowan kissed Peter once more, this time holding the kiss for twelve seconds. As Rowan’s eyes fluttered open, he saw the spell had finally activated.
"Nice… You’re a pretty good kisser," Peter said, grinning like a mischievous child.
"No, I’m not!" Rowan blushed, flustered.
Peter smirked. "Well, you stole a kiss from me, so it’s only fair I steal one from you." With that, Peter grabbed Rowan by the waist and kissed him again, holding it for ten more seconds. When he finally pulled away, he smiled, his eyes twinkling. "There, that’s better. I enjoyed that. You’re my first, after all." He laughed, a hint of bashfulness showing through his usual bravado.
"Really? Your first?" Rowan muttered, his face still flushed. "Let’s go, come on," he said, trying to shake off his embarrassment.
"Three kisses from him, one from me," Peter teased, grinning like he’d won some secret game. "What a day."
Meanwhile, Alden nudged Dorian. "Did you see that?" he asked with a grin.
"See what?" Dorian asked, confused.
"The kiss," Alden said, a mischievous look in his eyes.
"Their kiss?" Dorian raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Rowan and Peter?"
YOU ARE READING
the books of hidden worlds
Fantasi# 1 Ethereal Secrets Series Elias, Kian, Rowan, and Alden are ordinary siblings-or so they believe. One night, as they fall into a deep sleep, a forgotten book in their family's library opens a portal to another world. Without knowing it, they are...
