Page 54 of Curse of Ancients

“Hey!” Juniper tossed her napkin at Carleigh, and Juni burst out giggling.

Since he didn’t have much on his plate, he finished eating first. Harlow was pushing her food around instead of eating. She smiled and interacted with everyone, but something was bothering her. Juni must have sensed it because he asked to be helped out of his booster seat. When he was on the floor, he shifted to his fur and padded over to Harlow, then jumped onto her lap.

“Oh my.” Harlow scooped the cub into her arms and snuggled her face into his fur. Juni rubbed his tiny tiger face against hers, and her smile was a real one. “I have never seen anything more precious,” she whispered. Carleigh couldn’t agree more.

When everyone finished eating, Gemi offered to help clean up, but Juniper waved her off. “You have plenty of time to help later. Go relax with Bayu and Juni.” And that was what she did. Juni shifted back to his skin when Harlow placed him on the floor to retreat to the office. Juni led Gemi to his bedroom where he showed her all his new things. Carleigh followed to ensure Juni was going to settle. He invited Gemi and Bayu to sit on the floor and surrounded them with his plushies, then proceeded to tell a story about all of them. Carleigh didn’t hover. She wanted the Tans to have alone time. Instead, she went to her bedroom and gathered some clothes for Gemi while listening to Juni’s cute ramblings. She took them to Gemi’s room and placed them on the dresser. When it was time for his bath, Gemi helped the cub then as well. It wasn’t until time for him to go to bed that he fussed a bit.

“No, Carwee wead to me.”

Carleigh crossed the hall, sensing the female’s sadness “Bayu has so many questions for you. Why don’t the two of you talk on the patio while I get this one to sleep?”

Gemi agreed, and Carleigh read three books to Juni before he conked out. Juniper, having finished in the kitchen, stayed with the cub, just in case he woke up later. Instead of joining her mate outside, Carleigh went to her office where Harlow was sitting still, her hands in her lap.

“What’s wrong?”

Harlow turned with sad eyes. “It’s nothing. I think I’ll head home.”

“It’s not nothing, Low. Don’t forget that not only can I feel the distress, I know you. Talk to me.”

Harlow removed the band from her hair and loosened her braid. She then twisted it all up, securing it in a messy knot on top of her head. Carleigh waited her out. When she turned in her chair, Harlow blew her bangs out of her eyes. “I know how Cailín feels now.”

“About what? What’s wrong with Cailín?”

“She knows who her mate is, but she doesn’t think they have a shot.”

“Wait. Are you saying you know who your mate is too?”

Harlow nodded. “It’s Rhoan. You were right; I did jinx myself asking for a boring human. When he arrived out front to help Bayu…” Tears filled her seafoam eyes. “My beast tried to take over. It was all I could do to stand there and be polite when what I really wanted was to fling myself at him.”

Carleigh walked closer and knelt beside her cousin. “Then why are you sad?”

“He didn’t spare me a second glance once Bayu was outside. Not only that, but he lives in a different realm. He’s the prince of dragons and next in line to be king. There’s no way he’ll move here, not with that type of responsibility. I can’t move there, so what the hell am I supposed to do with that? Thran is Rhoan’s guardian, and he’s not leaving Evyndral either, so neither Cailín nor I will get our mates.”

“You don’t know that, Low. Things like this always work out. I mean, look at me and Bayu. He now has the counter curse, and once the witches take care of that, he and I will be able to move forward with mating.”

Harlow wiped her eyes. “Your Goyle hasn’t attacked him yet?”

“Well, yes, but with his Tiger in the background, we only completed the bond from my side. Plus, there are words to be exchanged, and Bayu wanted my family to witness that part.”

“That’s really sweet.” Harlow’s smile didn’t reach her eyes, and Carleigh’s heart hurt for her. “Now that Gemi is here and safe, it will be even more special.” She stood and opened her arms. “Bring it in. I need a hug.”

Carleigh wrapped her up tight. “You had to go and bag a dragon, didn’t you? It’s not enough that you’re a freakin’ princess, but you got yourself a prince. Only you.”

Harlow huffed out a watery laugh. “Only me, but you got yourself someone special too.”

“Oh, shit.” Carleigh stepped back. “Did you hear why Rhoan and Thran showed up to help?”

“No. They just told Bayu to come with them.”

“Rhoan is also a Nuhuala. His great-grandfather, King Mórdrake, has been the dragon Nuhuala for several millennia, and he’s passing the duty to Rhoan.” Carleigh told Harlow everything Rhoan had shared. “I guess the current one doesn’t have to die for a new one to be blessed. It’s all so confusing. Rhoan told Bayu that as soon as the curse was reversed and he’d read the ancient scrolls to seek him out and they’d compare notes. Rhoan will be back, and Thran will be with him. It’ll work out for you and Cailín. I promise.”

“I hope so. But enough about that. I’m going to the office tomorrow. I will feel better helping your dad and the others from there.”

“If it weren’t for the witches working to remove the curse, I’d come in and help you.”

“No, C. You are needed here. I’ll have Nikita and Mads as backup.” Harlow hooked her arm around Carleigh’s, and they made their way through the house together. “Where is everyone?”

“Bayu and Gemi are outside by the pool.” Carleigh opened her senses. “Mom and Dad are in my old room. It’s weird to be in the master while they’re here.”