by K. G. Reuss
“About the same.” He laughed. “My parents are. . . formal. No jeans and t-shirts for me, unfortunately.”
I offered him a comforting smile. His blues eyes moved to the stairs.
“Of course, I think Raiden will dress casually enough for the both of us.”
I turned to see Raiden descending the stairs in a pair of low-slung, ripped jeans and a tight black t-shirt, his tattoos on display. His leather bracelets and silver rings only added to his hotness factor. His eyes locked on mine, and he ran his fingers through his silver hair, a smile touching his lips. He looked like a rock star.
“Damn,” I murmured.
Eric chuckled beside me, snapping me out of it. My cheeks were hot from embarrassment. I hadn’t meant to say that out loud.
“It’s OK. We all know he’s hot stuff.” Eric chuckled.
Raiden stopped beside me and immediately placed a sweet kiss on my lips. “You look beautiful.”
I looked down at myself. I had on a pair of black leggings and snow boats that came to my knees, complete with fur. I’d added a long, cream-colored, off-the-shoulder sweater and had piled my hair up in a messy bun. I couldn’t even compare to how Raiden looked.
“Don’t doubt it,” he said, threading his fingers through mine. He didn’t wait for me to respond. He turned to Eric. “Are you good?”
“Great,” Eric answered. “I’ve got my cell. You’ll be able to reach me if you need anything. Damien and everyone else are charged and ready to go.”
“Wait. You guys get cell phones?” Mine had been taken away when I’d arrived at Dementon. No phones on campus. I supposed that was because they didn’t want our secrets getting out.
Raiden released my hand, pulled my cell phone from his pocket, and handed it to me.
“How’d you get this?” I asked, taking it.
He winked. “I have my ways.”
I immediately unlocked it and glanced at my screen. It was a photo of me and Nina making funny faces with our tongues out. A pang shot through me as the old memories rushed into my head.
“You OK?” Raiden asked.
I shook my head and smiled at him. “Just seems so long ago.”
He and Eric both peered at my phone.
“So much has changed for you. For what it’s worth, I’m proud of you, Ever. And completely grateful.” Eric reached out and pulled me away from Raiden to give me a tight hug.
I wrapped my arms around him too, rocking with him.
“You’re my favorite,” he whispered in my ear.
“You’re mine too.”
He stepped back and smiled.
“Can I get a picture with the three of us?” I asked.
“Make that four,” Damien called out, hopping over the coffee table to get to us, a wide grin on his face.
I laughed and nodded. “Fine. Four.”
The guys crowded around me, and I snapped a couple selfies of us before Raiden took my phone from me. I started to protest, but he swooped in and placed a kiss on my lips before handing me my phone back.
Damien catcalled as Eric grinned. I felt the flush of embarrassment on my face as I looked down at the screen. He’d taken a picture of us. We looked totally in love, our lips molded together. I had the urge to post it on my social media account which I hadn’t been on in months.
“Everyone is gone, except Sloane. She’s looking for her mittens,” Damien said, rolling his eyes.
“Maybe you should hold her hands and keep them warm,” Eric teased.
Damien grinned. “I might.”
“Do it, man. She’s a good girl.” Raiden gave my hand a squeeze.
Damien nodded and stared at the stairs. “Yeah. Yeah, I might.”
“Good luck, you big lug,” I said.
He grinned and gave me a hug.
“Have a good Christmas,” I said as he squeezed me tight.
“You too. Take my boy for a spin, would you?”
“Damien!” I slapped at him amid his laughter as we broke apart.
When I spun around, Raiden had pulled on a leather jacket, completing his sexy look. I groaned as Eric chuckled.
“Have fun, Ever,” he said.
Raiden grabbed my coat off the chair and held it up so I could put it on. Once I had the ankle length, black peacoat on, Raiden’s eyes swept over me. I knew that look. I loved that look. It meant he liked what he saw.
He winked at me as he picked up our bags.
“My Mancer, are you ready?”
I nodded and gave the guys a wave before following Raiden out the door and to the garage which housed the vehicles. He unlocked the blacked-out Jeep Rubicon and tossed our bags in the back.
We piled in and buckled up as the doors to the garage opened. Raiden fired up the engine and pulled out onto the side street wordlessly. I watched the scenery as we slowly drove across campus. Some students were milling about, a few throwing snowballs before they left for the week.
I swallowed thickly as we reached the gates.
Raiden took my hand in his. “Ready?”
I nodded. “Yeah. Take me home.”
Forty-Two
Raiden
“What are you doing?” I asked Ever as she smiled down at her phone.
I’d retrieved it from Brighton earlier in the day. I’d programed all the Conexus members’ numbers into it, so she’d be able to reach everyone if she needed to.
“I… um… logged onto my social media,” she said, peeking at me with a mischievous smirk on her lips.
“Oh?”
We’d been on the road for an hour. The roads were pure shit. If I wasn’t using magic, I was certain we’d had gone in the ditch. I used my powers to keep us on the road and moving fast. We could’ve shadow hopped to her home, but that would’ve looked strange, us just popping up with no way to prove how we’d gotten there. I didn’t mind having to drive. I loved driving and being alone with Ever like this. It made me happy. It gave me a sense of freedom I wasn’t used to.
“I uploaded that picture of us,” she said sheepishly, her cheeks flushing pink.
My heart gave a jump. “Yeah? Showing me off?” I teased.
“Maybe,” she answered with a grin. “I can’t believe how much has happened since I left. Nina has had two boyfriends, both total jerks according to her social media.” She shook her head. “This was supposed to be our year, you know? Homecoming. Prom. Graduation. It just seems like it was stolen.”
I glanced from the road to her to see her frowning. I hated to see her anything less than happy.
“Everly,” I murmured.
She looked up from her phone at me.
“The best is yet to come. I promise. Our world is so much grander than the Nattie world.”
“Yeah, but the Nattie world is what I’ve always known,” she said sadly. “I just feel like I’m missing out on something I spent my whole life looking forward to. I won’t be applying to colleges. I won’t be working in some field I love. It just seems like I lived a lie for so long that now that I’m in reality, it’s so messed up.”
“You’re going to be a queen,” I said thickly, hoping she caught my meaning. I had plans for the holiday with her, the gift resting in my jacket pocket.
“I’d have to marry a king first,” she said with a laugh.
“I don’t know if you know this or not, but my name is Prince Raiden Hawthorne. I’m set to be king of an entire world.”
She smiled at me. “You know, I never asked how that works. How do you become king? I mean, we live a really long time. You probably have another hundred years before you take the throne, right?”
I shook my head. “My father is set to step down soon and pass it to me.”
“He has to step down?”
“No.” I glanced at her again then back to the snowy road. “He could rule until his dying day, but it’s tradition for the king to step down after a hundred years.”
“Your dad is over a hundred?” She wrinkled her nose.
“Yeah,” I
laughed. “Well over. And of course, I’d take the throne if he dies before his time is up.”
“When is his term up?”
I tightened my hands on the wheel. “I have about three years left before I have to step up. Father wanted me married before I took the throne, so I’d have a queen at my side.”
“He doesn’t want me for your queen.”
“It doesn’t matter what he wants. It’s my life, and I want you. Don’t you want to be my queen?” I said it teasingly, but deep down I wanted her answer to be yes.
“Bit of a big deal, isn’t it? I mean, I didn’t even think I’d be prom queen,” she joked weakly. “But a whole world’s queen?”
“You’d be a good queen for our people.”
She worried her bottom lip and stared out at all the snow. There had to be two feet of it out there with the roads partially cleared. I was growing tired from keeping the magic going.
“Ever?” I called out softly.
“I know you want an answer, Raiden. And I know what you did for me. It’s a lot to take in. All I know is I want you. So if you comes with a crown, then I guess that’s what I’ll take, right?”
“You can always say no.”
She shook her head and turned sideways in her seat so she was looking directly at me. “I don’t want to tell you no. I love you.”
“I love you too,” I said, my heart hammering hard in my chest. “I don’t want you to feel pressured—”
“I don’t. Not really. I am who I am. You are who you are. I’m learning to be OK with that.”
My heart went out to her. She’d been a Nattie, enjoying her life before all of this. I wanted to give her back her life. I’d even go as far as letting her go if that was what she wanted. All she had to do was tell me. It would hurt like hell, but for her, I’d endure it.
Her phone pinged, and she lifted it, smiling. A moment later, it rang.
“Hey, Nina,” Ever answered it.
The sound of squealing came from the other end, and Ever grinned, listening to her friend. She cast a quick peek at me. “Um, yeah… His name is Raiden.”
I smiled as Ever told her friend about us dating. It was sweet to watch her be herself. She’d been so tightly wound since being brought to Dementon and then into Conexus, that I’d be lying if I said I didn’t worry for her.
I tuned out her conversation as I drove, growing more tired the farther we went. Finally, I had to pull over at a gas station to try to recharge.
“Everything OK?” Ever asked, pausing her phone conversation.
“It’s fine, baby. I just need a drink. Do you want anything?”
Her brows crinkled before she answered, “Yeah, I’ll take a water.”
I nodded and left her alone, locking the doors behind me. I didn’t want to be off the road too long, and I certainly didn’t want to leave Ever in the car alone, but I knew I could get to her in a heartbeat if I needed to. Plus, she wasn’t totally incapable of taking care of herself.
I grabbed some drinks and paid before coming back out to her. When I got inside, I handed her a water before buckling in and getting back onto the highway. She wasn’t on the phone anymore.
“We’re going to meet up with Nina and some people I used to go to school with. There’s a Christmas dance tonight at my old school. Nina is going to get us passes to get in. I mean, if you want to. We don’t have to—”
“Is it what you want to do?” I asked.
“Yeah, but—”
“Then we’ll go.” I reached out and took her hand in mine. Lifting it, I pressed a kiss to her knuckles as I drove. Ever grew quiet. Before long, she was sleeping. I held her hand the entire way. When we finally arrived at her house, I was so exhausted I could barely keep my eyes open.
“Everly, we’re here,” I murmured, moving to cradle her face.
Her eyelids fluttered open, and the brilliant green of her eyes peered at me.
“Hey,” she said sleepily.
“Hey, baby. We’re here,” I repeated softly.
It took her a moment to realize what I said before she was untangling herself from her seatbelt and rushing out of the car.
I hurried after her, catching her as she slid on some ice. We hadn’t made it to the front door before her mom was pulling it open, and Ever was rushing into her arms.
“Mija,” her mom wept, holding her tightly as they rocked in each other’s arms.
I stood awkwardly behind them for a moment before I went back to the Jeep and grabbed our bags. They were still hugging when I returned, her mom whispering over and over how much she loved her.
I smiled, my heart aching. My mother used to be that way with me. It had been a long time since I’d felt a mother’s love. Hell, it had been a long time since I’d felt the love of anyone. The only reason people ever loved me was for my crown or what I could do for them.
Until Ever.
Elena finally noticed me and released Ever.
“You must be Raiden,” she said, coming to me with her arms open.
I dropped our bags and gave her a hug. She held me for a moment before pulling away and cradling my face in her hands. “Ah, Ever said you were handsome. Dios mio, she wasn’t lying.”
“Mama, let’s go inside. You can admire him in the heat.” Ever gave me a wink that made me smile.
Elena released me, and I grabbed our stuff again and entered the house I’d been in so many times before in months prior.
Elena had painted the living room from a sage color to creme. It was warmer and far more inviting than it had been. Her fireplace was going, and I took in the tan leather sofa and chairs. She’d put a strand of pine garland on the mantle which held photos of her and Everly taken through the years.
“Come. I’ll show you to your room. I was thinking you could sleep down here in the room Ever used after her, um, accident.”
I followed Elena to the bedroom and went inside. The bed was made up with a thick quilt. There was a nightstand, a closet, and a chair in the corner.
“The bathroom is just down the hall,” Elena continued.
“This is perfect. Thank you, Ms. Torres—”
“Oh, you’re so polite. Please, call me Elena.”
“Elena,” I said.
“Oh, that accent. I’m in love with him already, Ever.” Elena clapped her hands together and turned to Ever who stood in the doorway.
I frowned.
“What’s wrong?” I called out in her mind.
“I saw a lot of shit in this room.”
“They’re gone now. None will bother you. I swear it.”
She smiled at me and nodded.
Elena rattled on as we left my room and went upstairs to Ever’s. I knew it well. I stepped inside and placed her bag by her bed and winked at her as her mother showed her the new bedding she’d gotten her. Fluffy and purple. I imagined how pretty Ever would look burrowed beneath it. Finally, we went downstairs. I settled on the couch next to Ever and held her hand.
“You look so good, honey” Elena said, coming into the living room with a tray of hot chocolate.
She placed it in front of us, and I took a mug, noting the cinnamon stick inside. I lifted a brow, and Ever smiled.
“My Grandma’s hot chocolate recipe. There’s also a little hot pepper in it. You’ve been warned.”
Interesting. I took a sip and breathed out. Now that was a good hot chocolate.
“This is the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had,” I said, noting the wide smile on Elena’s face.
Ever took a cup and sipped.
“So, how is school?” Elena shook her head. “I’m just in awe of how good you look. The last time I saw you, I was so worried.”
“Mama, I’m fine. Great, even. Stronger than ever before.”
“I’m so happy to hear it. So happy.”
Conversation continued easily after that. Finally, Elena looked at me.
“Where are you from, Raiden?”
“Uh, I’m from a place called Xanan,” I said
as Ever gaped at me. I gave her a wink. “It’s between the UK and Ireland.”
“Oh, I’ve never heard of it, but I’ve never been good with geography.” Elena laughed. “What do your parents do there?”
“Uh, well…” I looked at Ever and smiled before focusing on Elena. “My mother passed away when I was a child, and my father is in politics.”
“Oh, you poor thing! I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”
“It’s OK,” I said, offering her a reassuring smile.
“Do you not see your father much?”
“I see him enough. We aren’t close. I attend Dementon as a way to breathe on my own. After my mother’s death, he grew distance.”
“You poor dear.” Elena’s hand went to her chest. “If you ever need anything, I’m only a phone call away, OK?”
I nodded. “Thank you, Elena.”
She smiled. “So, what sort of politics? Is he a mayor or something?”
I cleared my throat. “Uh, no. My father is a king.”
The only reason I could fathom telling her the truth was the fact I knew Ever would one day have to. Maybe it wouldn’t come as such a big blow to Elena the day that happened.
“I’m sorry. Did you say king?”
“Yes.”
“Raiden is a prince, Mama. He’s going to take the throne soon.”
“Really? A-Are you serious?” she asked, looking unconvinced.
“I’m serious,” I said easily. “King Wesley Hawthorne. Fourth of his line. I shall be the fifth of our line. Our family has ruled for nearly five hundred years. We took the throne after the War of the Arasis,” I continued. “Arasis is a flower. They say it holds magical powers in the right hands. There was a war over it. My family conquered and took the throne.”
“Fascinating. I can’t believe I have royalty in my home. Had I known—”
“Mama, please don’t tell anyone else. Raiden doesn’t need that sort of . . .publicity.”
“Of course. I won’t say a word. But if you’re a prince and you’re with Ever—”
“She’ll be my queen one day should she accept my proposal,” I said, giving Ever’s hand a squeeze. “I must marry before I take the throne.”
“A-And when do you do that?”