Fractured by N.O Darling

Chapter 326 Chapter 326 Chapter 326 **Harper's POV** I lean against the closed door and bring my fingers to my lips, closing my eyes whilst I remember the feel of Dillon's lips against mine. I can't wait to do that again. Willkissing Archie feel the same? The sound of movement from one of the rooms catches my attention, and a smile spreads over my face as Archie appears in the doorway opposite the lounge area "Hey, cutie," he beams, "We finally have our own place." "We've been assigned an apartment together already? This is great, but we are not even confirmed as bonds yet." I move into the kitchen area and run my hand over the smooth marble of the countertop.

"Maybe they ran out of single dorms and figured we would be okay with sharing. There are five bedrooms in this apartment. I chose the one next to yours," he grins. "How do you know which one I would choose?" I raise a brow.

"I didn't. Yours is obviously the one with the enormous bed" he says, a flush blooming on his cheeks.

"Oh, right... That makes sense," I nod and clear my throat.

"I wonder who else we will be sharing with," Archie says, changing the subject.

"If it's just temporary, then I guess it could be anyone," I shrug and move further into the apartment.

"How did it go with the seer? Have you finished your lessons for today?" "I'm not sure. There was a bit of an incident with Dillon and I lost track of her." "What happened? Is Dillon okay?" Archie asks and the genuine concern in his voice is clear.

I love that they already treat each other as bond brothers. Our twith the rogues had been brief, but the three of us had got close during that time.

"He's fine. We both had a fright, is all. We thought Sage identified him as a bond for someone else, but it was a false alarm." "Damn, I can imagine that was a tense moment. I'm not sure how I'd feel if that had have happened. Lalready feel as though the three of us belong together. To have him taken from us would be a blow," Archie "We kissed," I blurt, no longer able to hide it from him.

Archie's eyes widen as he looke at me. He looks a mix of surprised, curious, and slightly disappointed.

"I'm sorry. I know we all agreed to wait, but I was so overcwith emotion and all I could think was what if I never had the chance to kiss him and..." Archfie cuts off my rambling by striding towards me, pullingto him and planting his lips on mine.

I gasp against his mouth and he uses the opportunity to slide his tongue past my parted lips to brush against my own. One of his hand cups the back of my head gently as he deepens the kiss, the other rests or Archie's kiss is softer than Dillion's. It feels more controlled, which is probably because the circumstances are different.

"I've been dying to do that for so long," Archie breathes when he pulls his lips from mine.

too," I smile.

My lips feel swollen and my cheeks feel flushed, but I can't wait to do it again.

Archie cups my face and strokes a thumb over my cheek and smiles. "You look so beautiful with your cheeks pinked like this. I can't wait to have more firsts with you and see you flushed for me." His words steal my breath and excitein a way I'm not sure I'm ready for. My brain scrambles for a response that doesn't makesound like a dork. I have always felt confident around Archie, but now he ha I have never seen this side of Archie. He seems so confident. Is this new? Or has he just been holding back on me? I am saved from saying something embarrassing by a sharp rap on the door. The tension betweenand Archie had been so thick that the knock startles me, and has my heart racing for a whole different reason.

Archie smirks and steps back, givingspace to breathe. He moves to answer the door whilst I try to appear calmer.

"I just cto drop Harper's belongings off," Deacon says when the door swings open.

"Cin," Archie offers and steps back to allow Deacon access into our apartment.

"I'm afraid I don't have tat the moment. I have to go," Deacon says, sounding a little awkward for the first time.

What is wrong with my dads today?

"Wait, Dad... I mean, Sir. Is this a temporary apartment? I just need to know if I should unpack or not," I ask, rushing to the door before he can leave.

Deacon glances around the apartment and sighs. "It's yours. You can unpack. Make sure you check your welcpack. You'll find your academy phone in there. I'm sure Sage will contact you on it soon. If you "Wow, he really takes his headmaster role seriously, huh? I can't believe this place is actually ours. They must really trust your judgement that we are bonds to house us together already," Archie says as he carries my luggage in.

How did my dad carry all this alone? It's taken Archie three trips just to get it through the door. And why does this place have five bedrooms when I only have two bonds? "My parents are all acting weird today," I sigh, taking sboxes from Archie and carrying them to the door next to his bedroom, getting my first look at my new room.

The walls are a soft cream, and the furniture is all light oak. It gives the room a cosy but fresh vibe. I love it.

I place the boxes down and stop to look at the bed. It's enormous. It's as big as my parent's bed at home, and it feels a little daunting to know it's E mine. This bonding thing is starting to feel very real all of a sudd "I think I'm going to get lost in there," I half laugh, nodding towards the bed. "Don't worry, I'll cfind you. Although, given my track record, I may just end up lost with you," he teases.