My Darkest Embrace

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

The next day I woke up with a bang, followed by a few yells. I groaned into my pillow and surfaced from my comfy mattress, walking straight into the bathroom to get a shower. I showered and did my hair and got dressed before walking downstairs for breakfast.

I walked into the kitchen and everybody was there, plus an extra edition. She looked to be only about five; she had the cutest raven locks and cherry lips. She looked a lot like Aodhan…

She smiled at me and waved. I smiled back at her and gave her a little wave before looking back up at the others.

            “Branna, this is my cousin, Grace.” Aodhan said to me.

            “Hey Grace.” I smiled at her.

            “Hey Branna!” she grinned enthusiastically.

            “Gracie is going to be staying with us for a few weeks whilst her parents are away on business, is that okay?” Aodhan asked me.

            “Of course it’s okay!” I beamed.

I poured myself a bowl of Cheerios and took my place next to Grace who was still smiling at me. She had her own bowl of Cheerios in front of her alongside her spoon. I stuck my tongue out at her and she copied me. I laughed and ate my Cheerios.

            “Branna, can you go on a walk with me today?” Grace asked me.

            “Sure! We can take a picnic if you want.” I grinned.

            “Yes please.” She smiled.

I already loved her to bits. She was so cute and polite and reminded me so much of Aodhan that it almost hurt.

I finished my breakfast and started making some food for mine and Grace’s picnic today. Once I had packed a backpack full of food, we said goodbye to the others and set off into the forest that surrounded the house. We came to a little clearing and I put down the picnic blanket and handed Grace some sandwiches from the backpack and pulled out my own sandwiches. We ate in silence, admiring the scenery around us, when Grace said something that made me choke on my sandwich.

            “Branna, are you in love with my cousin, Aodhan?” she asked me.

I coughed and swallowed down the piece of food stuck in my throat. My eyes burning with unshed tears caused by the choking.

            “What makes you think that?” I questioned her.

            “My brother told me.” She smiled.

            “Who is your brother?” I asked.

            “Lorcan.” She smiled.

I frowned at her and sighed. I knew that Lorcan would tell somebody.

            “Lorcan tells me everything, he’s my best friend.” Grace smiled.

I smiled at that. For somebody who was apparently balancing on the edge of evil, he sure was a sweet guy. I liked the bond that he had with his sister.

            “That’s nice.” I smiled.

            “Please be in love with Aodhan! I want you to marry him and have pretty babies.” She gave me puppy dog eyes. I laughed and ruffled her hair.

            “Gracie, if I tell you the truth, do you promise not to tell anybody?” I asked her. She nodded her head vigorously, “Yes, I love your cousin Aodhan.” I nodded my head.