Chapter 172: It’s A Metaphor
- RAYA -
"How is my moonlight cactus?" I overhear Luciano ask Rory when Dex and I return and sit across from them.
The seats in this plane are not arranged like regular seats where everyone would be facing forward. The eight seats in this main part of the cabin surround two small tables, four to each. Which means I get to watch Luciano and Rory next to each other and the way a blush stains her cheeks at the question.
"It’s alive," she mumbles, avoiding everyone’s interested looks. "Dex, I’ve never seen a plane like this before. It has no ceiling."
Her tone sounds curious, amused, and annoyed all at the same time. We all look up at the blue sky above. It genuinely looks as if there is no ceiling, she’s right. The entire overhead curve of the cabin has disappeared and given way to sky. It’s magnificent. I didn’t even know something like this was possible. It doesn’t seem like it should be.
Luciano levels Dex with a look like this was obviously a very poor choice. It’s quite something to see that expression on him while he is sitting next to my sister, because this particular feature of the plane doesn’t seem like something Luciano would normally object to.
The skylight is ostentatious, which is kind of Luciano’s style—what with the flashy car and suits and clothes. So the fact that he is considering it a fault makes it obvious that his opinion has to do with Rory. When Rory’s eyes flick to mine, I realize that I’m smiling suspiciously at the two of them, and I try to stop. That makes it all the more obvious of course.
"It’s unusual," Dex says. "I thought everyone might enjoy it."
He looks at me, and I can’t help but grin brilliantly in reply. I do enjoy it. The skylight even extends into the bedroom, which has more large windows along the walls. It’s going to be an entirely different experience. I doubt I’ll ever be able to look at flying the same way again.
"Does it make you uncomfortable?" Dex’s attention shifts back to my sister, but now her eyes have softened. She fidgets with the arm rest and looks down.
"No, of course not."
She’s lying, and she’s doing it because of me—to not be difficult. Normally, Rory wouldn’t mind being difficult, so the fact that she has backed down from her opinion so easily makes me ache.
I want my sister to get her fire back, even if it means arguing. Even if it means being sarcastic and blunt and bratty. Her sharp edges are still there, but instead of making sure everyone is aware of them, now she retreats and keeps things inside.
Instead of calling her out for it and drawing more attention to the whole issue, I decide to change the subject.
"So the plant in the guest house is a moonlight cactus? What’s that?"
I swear Luciano’s chest puffs with pride a little bit, and a smirk threatens his lips. He’s waiting for my sister to answer, and when she realizes this, a little bite of her sarcasm returns.
"It’s a metaphor," she mutters.
Luciano chuckles at that, and when I continue staring at them, more puzzled now, he decides to enlighten me.
"It’s a rare flower. It only blooms after the sun has set and only during one night of the year."
Only after the sun has set... I nod my head, an automatic response to being educated about something I wasn’t aware of. But when the metaphor my sister referred to begins taking shape in my mind, a startling awareness comes with it.
"It blooms in the darkness," I say.
My gaze settles back on Rory whose blush has returned and who is trying to avoid everyone at this point by pretending she’s not aware of the conversation. She’s looking out the window instead of at me, and I’m sure she’s hoping we don’t continue this discussion.
Whatever Luciano feels for my sister runs much, much deeper than I thought. Right now he looks like a fierce protector at her side. His glare at Dex about the skylight was just a glimpse, but now I’m beginning to see it more fully.
A flood of images from when we found Rory on the day of the funeral begin flipping through my mind again.
Rory in Luciano’s arms. Lawson’s lifeless body on the wooded hillside. The ride back in the SUV when Luciano wouldn’t let her go. He held her in his lap. He suggested that she had been struck hard enough that she might have a concussion, and I was checking her pupils with the scant knowledge I had at the time about concussions.
Maybe Luciano liked my sister before, but something shifted on that day and somehow—seeing them seated next to each other today—I am just now understanding the full extent of it. The new security system, the guy watching Dex’s house, the flowers... that wasn’t just Luciano obsessing over Rory’s safety after finding her that day because he likes her. The moonlight cactus means he understands her in a way that I’m not even sure I do.
"Is everyone ready for a smooth flight?" A woman arrives at our side wearing black pants, a white collared shirt, black tie, and pilot stripes on her shoulders. She’s young and attractive just like the attendant who spoke to Dex and I a minute ago.
"I’m your pilot, Isabel Scott," she says with a friendly smile. "I’m told the destination today is a secret."
"Captain Scott," Dex says, shaking her hand. "Thank you so much for taking us."
"Of course. Alexander Mobius, I take it?" She asks.
They share introductions, and Rory and I share an impressed look. A female pilot. We shouldn’t be impressed. Of course there are female pilots, but it’s still just... awesome.
"Instead of making an announcement over the speakers, I thought it would be nicer to let you all know what to expect by coming back here. We do need you to be buckled on ascent and descent. That’s a regulation. But once we’re at a safe cruise, you are free to get up and do what you’d like. Food will be available at that time as well. I expect a very easy flight. We will be there before you know it."
"Can I ask you a question, Captain?" Luciano says.
"Of course. That’s what I’m here for."
"Is there a way to close the skylight when we’re taking off?"
"Absolutely," she says without missing a beat. "I’ll take care of that for you. Just let Carrie know when you’re ready for it to be opened again, and she’ll tell me. Any other questions?"
Rory shoots a small glare to Luciano who only smirks back, but I see the way her shoulders relax and she immediately looks less tense. She might be annoyed that he brought it up, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t going to greatly appreciate it once we take off. And if Luci is trying to sweep my sister off of her feet, this is the first time I’m beginning to realize that he just might have a chance.
