“True. But I just…” She rubbed her eyes. The man next to her, dark-haired and dark-skinned, took her hand and gave her a gentle squeeze. “Oh, where are my manners,” Emily said. “Ariana, this is my mate. Evan, this is Ariana West.”
Evan and I shook hands. Emily gestured to Victor and Heather. Victor’s head was now in Heather’s lap, and she was stroking his forehead.
“We can drive Heather back to the Braunbar clan,” Emily said. “If that’s where she wants to go. The Braunbars aren’t far from here. Obviously. Or my father wouldn’t have been scheming to steal their territory….” She stopped abruptly and took a deep breath. “Anyway, do you think she’d like that?”
I took another look at Victor and Heather. “I think...I think she’ll want to go wherever he’s going. And vice versa.”
Emily looked more closely at them and gave me a weak smile. “Yeah, I think you might be right.”
Chapter Thirty
Slade
White. All I could see out the tiny rectangle of glass was gray and white. I leaned my head on the window and watched as clouds engulfed the plane. Sitting on a leather seat, staring out into the sky, it seemed like it should be the next best thing to flying. It wasn’t.
Being trapped in a metal box was nothing like feeling fresh air on my scales. The vents that pumped sterile air through the cabin felt nothing like the icy wind in my eyes. Out there, the sky wasn’t just white. Out there when I looked up, I’d see the blinding light of the sun. When I looked down, I’d see landscape so far away it was like looking on those train tables that were always on display around Christmas time. Trapped in here, I couldn’t tell if we were above green hills or blue ocean.
I stared out the window just the same.
Quentin sat beside me, flipping through a magazine. We were both content to sit in silence. We were all glad to be headed home.
Part of me wished my dad was here, too. I’d spent so many years not knowing him, it was hard to leave him behind. I’d given him my number. Maybe he’d call. I hoped he’d call.
He’d hugged me hard when it was time to go. I remembered what it was like when I was little. He didn’t seem so big to me now, or so perfect. When I was a kid, I’d thought there was nothing better than a piggyback ride around the living room or going out to fly on his back over the treetops. Everything was different now.
The woman he loved wasn’t my mom. I watched the way he admired Heather. When she wrinkled her nose and spoke to him, his eyes sparkled. I knew the look. I saw it on Quentin and Taylor when we were around Ariana. I knew I did it too. It was love, the love we had for Ariana. I wished my dad still felt that for my mom. But he didn’t. And we didn’t get to pick who we loved. We didn’t choose who to fall for, who we connected with, who completed us, who our mates were. I knew that. One look at Ariana and I was hers. I’d known it from the start.
I hoped my dad found that in Heather. I knew my mom had found it in James.
I turned to Quentin beside me. “Hey, Brains.”
“Hello,” he replied, and flipped the page of the magazine in his lap.
I was going to ask him what time zone we were in, but then I noticed what he was reading. The open page had a young woman on it with a short dress, and her hair was crazy like she was stuck out in a tornado. Her lips were puckered in an exaggerated kissy fish face.
“What are you looking at?” I asked.
“A magazine.”
Below the girl was a bunch of words. How to blow his mind with these three easy moves in the bedroom.
I stared at Quentin.
“What?” he asked, looking at me like he had no idea what I was thinking.
“Seriously?” I asked, pointing to the girl in the magazine.
“I already read Field and Stream.”
“Okay,” I said.
“Reading passes the time,” he said.
“How much longer do we have before we’re home?” I asked.
He looked down at his watch.
“Approximately twenty-five minutes,” he said.
A smile crept across my face. I couldn’t wait to be back in Emerald Pines. I was ready to get back to our routine, the four of us. It had also been far too long since I’d snuggled Princess Needleclaw. I hoped Maisie had done everything right, kept her on her schedule, kept her fed, kept her safe.
I watched out the window. The white faded. Green hills grew bigger. Details came into focus. I could make out the different colors of the trees in the forest, the warm autumn oranges and reds and yellows. At the center of the city I could see a big, gray tower. The Arrow. Home. We were so close.
I watched as the plane turned, as it slowly lowered onto the tarmac.
I was the first one off when the plane stopped. It felt good to put my feet on the ground. Better to breathe in the fresh Connecticut air. It was lighter here, and I liked that.
I stretched my legs, but what I really wanted to do was stretch my wings. Maybe back at the Arrow. Maybe we could all go flying in the safety of Ariana’s magic wards. That would be nice.
At the smaller Emerald Pines airport, there wasn’t a big, fancy wheel for the bags. Not like there was in Germany. It was a little chute and a platform. I raced over and snatched up all of our belongings. By the time I returned to the only gate, everyone else was there.
“I’m ready,” I said.
A little smile crossed Ariana’s lips. I loved that smile. I loved those lips.
“Do you want some help with those?” Taylor asked.
“Nah,” I said. “It’s good to move again, use my muscles. The plane ride took forever.”
“It wasn’t that bad,” Taylor said.
Quentin scoffed.
“See, Brains is with me,” I said.
“It’s good to be home,” Ariana said. “Let’s see if Lindenbury is here.”
I followed her from the small airport and recognized the Escalade that waited for us out front. Until I slid into the back seat, I hadn’t realized I’d missed the SUV. Heck, I’d missed everything about our life here.
It smelled clean. It smelled like us.
“How was the trip?” Lindenbury asked.
“We completed our task,” Ariana said, her gaze flicking to mine.
We’d turned on our client, and he’d ended up dead. It wasn’t the kind of mission that would add to the Whitesong reputation. But we had found the Vergoldet treasure. We’d protected my dad.
The ride back was quiet. We all sank into our seats, exhausted from the forest, the fighting, the flight—everything that had happened. There was contentment in the silence.
We drove past the big church and the tiny post office. We were close. When the SUV stopped, Quentin waited for Lindenbury to open the door, but I didn’t want to wait. Heck no. Taylor and Ariana climbed out on the other side, so I followed them.
The big tower up ahead was home. The buildings around it were home, too. Everything here held meaning from our first month together. There was the suit shop where we’d been fitted. There was the coffee house that made the tea Ariana liked. And there was Hiber-Nation.
“Do you smell that?” I asked Taylor.
“Hiber-Nation IPA,” he replied, nodding.
“I bet they’re pouring some from the tap right now,” I said.
“We should head over there,” Ariana said. “Later, after we settle in.”
“It’s a date,” Quentin said, as he finally joined us on the sidewalk.
We passed through a crowd in the courtyard and walked up the sidewalk toward the building. Now that we were finally here, I remembered all the things I needed to do. I needed to check on my bike, check on my kitten, call my mom, and take a shower. I’d taken a quick shower at the hotel before we’d left Germany, but it wasn’t the same. I could still feel the forest clinging to my skin.
The rotating glass doors always made me a little nervous. It required concentration to get in and out without getting trapped and having to walk around again in a circle. I just stuck close to Quenti
n, who looked a bit too regal for his t-shirt and cargo pants. But he was confident in the moving doorway.
The lobby was busy for a Saturday, just like the courtyard. People milled about, going in and out of the elevators and stopping in groups to chat.
I was the first one that stepped into the private elevator, so I got to push the button. As the metal box started to rise, I felt the change that always happened when we were alone with Ariana. It could be just one of us, or it could be all three. The air thickened, and I listened to the others breathe. The tart but sweet scent of warm apple pie surrounded me. Dragon and desire. Ariana’s fingers brushed mine. A shot of excitement carried up my arm.
Taylor moved closer behind her. Quentin flanked her left, eyes forward, hand on her hip.
The doors opened, but no one stepped out.
“We’ll have to put this on hold just a little longer,” Ariana said. “Give me two hours. Then I’m yours.”
I knew she meant all of us, but her eyes were on me. It made my cock hard just looking at her lips, at hearing her words. Mine.
I put my hand over the door to stop it from closing.
Ariana sucked in a deep breath and held it. Her cheeks were pink, her hair pulled back. She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. I wanted her. I also respected her and her wishes.
I leaned forward and touched my lips to hers. She tasted sweet, like home.
Then I let her go.
Quentin and Taylor did the same, and with each kiss, it was like I got a moment more with her.
We stepped out and watched the doors slowly close. I didn’t want to let her go. None of us did.
“I need a cold shower,” Taylor said.
“Ice,” Quentin replied.
We walked down the hall to the door marked Four, our suite. Inside, the living room smelled mostly like it had before we’d moved in. Sterile, like harsh cleaner, with a hint of dusty staleness from the sofas, and just the right amount of cat.
“Princess,” I called. She wasn’t on the sofa, or under the sofa.
“Perhaps she’ll come if you do that kissy noise,” Quentin said.
“Or maybe she’s just napping on your pillow.” Taylor nudged Quentin with his shoulder.
It was a good point.
I headed down the hall and peeked through the door to Quentin’s room. There she was. A little ball of orange fluff. Her eyes were closed, and I kneeled on the floor beside the bed.
Her fur was soft on my hand. She stretched when I touched her, digging her claws into Quentin’s pillow and comforter. So precious.
Had she grown while I was away? She looked bigger. She didn’t look too thin, and her eyes were bright. Maisie had done okay.
“Get a room, you two,” Quentin said. “Your room, not mine.”
“You know you love her,” I said, and scooped Princess Needleclaw up. She was bigger. Longer. Heavier.
Quentin stood by the door. His expression was blank. Big surprise there.
I took my kitten to my room as he’d asked, and found a note waiting for me on the bed. I picked it up and read.
Hey, Slade. Princess Needleclaw was fed on schedule and I made time to play with her. Maybe not exactly on your schedule because I had to work, but we spent a lot of time with the feather wand and I ended up having a really great time with her. Best, Maisie.
I needed to thank her. She’d really come through for me.
I set down Princess Needleclaw and hung my head out the doorway into the hall.
“Hey Romeo,” I said.
“Yes?” Taylor said from his room.
“What’s an appropriate thank-you gift for a woman?”
“Depends on the woman,” he said. “Flowers and chocolate are standard. But to show you really care, something more personal is always—”
“Not personal,” I said. “I’m not talking about Ariana.”
“Oh.”
“Perhaps a thank you note would suffice,” Quentin chimed in.
“Thanks,” I said.
“Taking a shower,” Taylor said. “Back soon.”
“I think I shall do the same,” Quentin said.
“Okay,” I replied. The two shut their doors, and I figured I should take a shower, too. But first, I needed to call Mom. I’d missed our Sunday calls while I was in the mountains, and I knew she’d want to hear about Dad.
I pulled out my phone and sat down on the edge of my bed.
Mom answered on the third ring. “Hello.”
“Hi, Mom,” I said.
“Slade, I’m so glad it’s you.” Her voice was tense. She sounded better than she had when we’d talked last. She wasn’t crying. Still, I knew that hearing about Dad weighed on her. “How’ve you been? Did you...did you find him?”
I still didn’t know what I should say or not say. I didn’t want to hurt her. She’d been hurt enough.
“I did.”
There was silence on the other end. I wished I could see her face. I wished I could tell what she was thinking. I wished I could hug her and tell her that she was better off with James.
When she spoke again, her voice was quieter. It made my heart ache all over again, like he’d just left. “Did he say why?”
“He was a prisoner of war,” I said. “Mom?”
“Yes, Slade.”
“You’re happy with James, right?”
“Very,” she said.
“That’s what matters,” I said.
“You’re right,” she said. “It is. I’m glad your father is alive. I hope he finds happiness.”
“Me, too,” I said. With the way I left him, it seemed like he was well on his way. “I should let you go. I still need to unpack. Just got home.”
“Okay, dear,” she said. “Thank you for calling. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Mom.”
When I hung up, I felt a weight lifted. Mom knew the truth. She was okay.
Both of my parents were finding their own happiness, in separate lives. It wasn’t what I’d imagined, the happy ending that I’d hoped for as a kid. But it didn’t have to be like the story books to be true love. Just like I’d found with Ariana and the guys. It was different, but it was love. I knew it with all my heart. Ariana was my mate. Just like I knew she was Taylor’s and Quentin’s, too.
I showered and threw on some athletic shorts. It felt good to be barefoot, to be back in my room. It felt good to be home.
Sounds of flutes carried through my door. I recognized that music.
I stepped out into the living room and found Taylor dressed in a t-shirt and jeans. Quentin was wearing one of his full suits. Maybe that was his version of athletic shorts or sweatpants. Maybe that was just his casual suit.
I scooped a controller off the floor and jumped onto one of the big green sofas.
Quentin made a noise of protest. “What are you...I can’t see, you oaf.”
“You started without me,” I said with a smile.
“Log in,” Taylor said. “We could use our dwarf. The battle is up ahead.”
“You can count on me,” I said, and dropped my feet to the floor. Princess Needleclaw curled up in my lap and I was content. I raced my dwarf along the path to catch up with my friends. Everything was back to the way it was supposed to be.
In two hours, we’d see Ariana. Until then, Defenders of Aerasummit would keep us busy.
Chapter Thirty-One
Ariana
There was something uniquely gratifying about returning home after travel. It was a feeling of relief, contentment. It started with the first step through the door, with the scent of polished wood and clean linens. It was the feel of my fluffy sofa on my fingertips. It was the dark maple hardwood on my bare feet. It was the softness of my skin after using my favorite lotion, the satiny gloss of my hair from my conditioner.
I picked out the laciest, frilliest red bra and thong and put them on. Then I tied the string on my black satin wrap dress and slid on my favorite red pumps, then I checked myself in the mi
rror by the door.
There were no stray hairs in my sleek chignon. My dress hung just right, and my lipstick popped. It was empowering to be back in my heels, to smooth on one final coat of plum pucker over my lips. I was back. I was ready to take on the world.
I locked the door and stepped into my private elevator. With my finger over the buttons, I froze. The temptation to push forty-eight was heavy. I wanted to strut into the guys’ suite and watch their reaction to me in this dress. I wanted to see them in anything but the t-shirts and cargo pants we’d been stuck in for three weeks.
There had to be a mountain of work to do—phone calls to make, paperwork to catch up on. I’d told the guys we’d meet for dinner. I couldn’t wait that long. I pushed forty-eight and basked in the thrill of choosing exactly what I wanted. Quentin. Taylor. Slade. I wanted them. I was ready to say yes. Nervousness swirled in my center. I was going to say yes.
The heavy metal doors slid open and I stepped into the hall. With every step, I grew more excited, more confident. My heels clicked across the cream-hued floor and echoed through the empty hall until I reached their suite.
I stared at the door, breathed in the scents of cloud and fire. Dragons. My dragons.
I imagined Taylor pulling loose the tie of my wrap dress, Quentin cupping my breasts. I imagined Slade’s fingers teasing along the hem of my panties.
I raised my fist to knock. The door opened before I made contact. They’d sensed me too.
“Ari.” Taylor inhaled sharply. He looked just as he usually did, in loose-fitting jeans and a white t-shirt. His brown hair was still damp from his shower, and his face was freshly shaved. He smelled of warmth, hazelnuts, and citrus soap. His green eyes sparkled as he slowly took me in, head to toe.
“Hi.” I reached out and touched his cheek, enjoying the smooth softness as much as I had the beard.
He pulled me in, crushing his lips to mine. His hands cupped my ass, his tongue delved deep. I needed more.
Big hands caressed my shoulders—warm, soft. The scent of metal mingled with that of Taylor. It was Slade.
Fur tickled my ankles, and I looked down. Princess Needleclaw was there to greet me, too.
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