We turned as Delmare came racing toward the two of us. Her black hair was in a mess. She panted by my side as she slid to a stop and said, “I need your help. I’ve been invited to have dinner with Stefan’s parents tonight.”
Kiara wiggled her eyebrows. “Ooh, meeting the family. That’s a big step.”
“It’s not like that. Ugh, I don’t want to go!” Delmare threw her hands up in frustration.
“So don’t.” I shrugged. “Tell Stefan no.”
“It’s not his invitation, it’s his parents. I can’t refuse an invitation from a dragon fae high-born. What would that look like?” Delmare said.
She had a fair point. You didn’t do those kinds of things with fae. They found it incredibly rude. “So what do you want me to do about it?” I asked.
“Make it a double date. I’m allowed to bring guests. Come with me, and bring Ethan,” she pleaded. “He knows Stefan’s family. It won’t be as awkward.”
The offer was intriguing. I was interested to see how the high-born fae outside of the royal family lived, and I couldn’t let Delmare down in her time of need. “I’ll be there. What time?”
“Five o’clock, sharp,” she said, shoulders sagging in relief. “You’re a lifesaver, Em.”
“Bring condoms,” Kiara teased. Delmare smacked her with her book bag.
I thought it wasn’t that big of a deal, but Delmare seemed truly relieved. I bet after Stefan had more or less met her crappy mom, Delmare felt inferior. Meeting his parents had to be terrifying for her.
I texted Ethan to let him know, then we joined up at the main gates around four. I hadn’t been sure what to wear— a dinner party with high-born fae seemed important, so I’d chosen a long-sleeved blue dress that had a skirt that fell to the ground, with a wool coat over top. I’d made sure to curl my hair and put on a bit of makeup as well. I feared overdoing it, but at the same time, I didn’t wish to offend Stefan’s family by showing up looking inappropriate.
I chose well, because Ethan was dressed in a dark navy suit with a matching tie. His face lit up as I drew near, letting his eyes roam up and down my figure. “You look ravishing, Miss Sosna.”
“Thank you.” I gave him a small curtsy— because really, why not— and Ethan smiled. He liked that.
“Where do Stefan’s parents live?” I asked.
“In the mountains, in the dragon village,” he said. “The Slasky family mansion is at the very top. You’ll have to ride on my back to get there.”
“I didn’t know there was a dragon village,” I said in surprise.
“Each Faction has their own small town,” Ethan said. “Most Arcanea live in Dolinska, but others prefer the countryside and quietness of their village. It’s not far— merely a few miles.”
Ethan changed into a wolven and knelt to the ground. I made a face as I lifted my dress and straddled his back.
“What is it?” he asked.
“I’m worried about getting fur on my dress.”
“I make sure to bathe my wolf form, Emma.” Ethan’s tone was brisk. “Besides, as my Marked, that’s your job to comb out my coat. I can’t do it myself.”
I loved the idea of running a brush through Ethan’s long, silky fur, but I couldn’t let him know that. “Maybe if you’re a good boy,” I said, and I patted his shoulder.
Ethan gave a bark. I laughed.
Ethan bounded forward. I hung onto his scruff as we ran off campus and through the streets of Dolinska. When we got to the middle of town, he took a left turn and padded down a winding dirt path that led upward into the mountains.
“Most dragons fly to their village. It’s difficult for sorceresses to get up there unless they have a shifter,” Ethan said. “Hold on tight.”
Ethan increased his strides, and the terrain beneath his paws became rocky and unsteady. We went vertical as Ethan jogged up the rocks. A few times, his grip slipped. I gasped, but Ethan caught his footing every time.
“I will never let you fall, onawilke,” Ethan said. “Trust in me.”
I did. I trusted Ethan with all my heart. It was easy for me— like the feeling of jumping off a cliff and knowing he’d be there to catch me at the bottom. I didn’t know what could destroy this deep bond we had between us.
A bond I wished we both could acknowledge, instead of pretending like it wasn’t there. Destiny had brought us together, and fate sealed our love. Would we ever admit it to each other?
