Page 25 of A Thread of Breath and Bone

I can’t help but laugh even harder.

“No…” He begins pulling off the cloak. “You are.”

“No!” I giggle, running from him as the door opens, and Ryker walks through. I run straight into Ryker’s arms, yelping as Tate attempts to throw the cloak over me. I can’t stop laughing when Ryker lifts a brow as the pink cloak is draped over his head, covering both of us.

It falls a moment later, pooling at our feet.

Ciara throws the bathroom door open. “What is going on out here?” When she spots Tate and the cake glasses he has now managed to get on my face despite me practically hanging off Ryker, she says, “Oh good, you brought it.”

“Ciara!” I shout, laughing too hard to catch my breath.

“Nice shirt,” Trysten says awkwardly to Tate.

This only makes me laugh harder until Ryker lets me down, keeping hold of me with an arm around my shoulders.

“You look fuckable even with the glasses,” he whispers so only I can hear.

I roll my eyes but surge up on my toes, fusing our mouths. Ever since that day in his room, he’s taken every opportunity to remind me how beautiful he thinks I am.

I can’t shake my need to be around him since we’ve been back at school. I’ve almost told him I love him multiple times, but I have a plan. And that plan can’t be enacted for another two days—his birthday.

Behind us, Kellan clears his throat. “Are we ready to go?”

Aolyn steps out of her bathroom and grins. “All ready.”

I unfold myself from Ryker’s lap when we arrive at the village. Aolyn sat on Kamden’s lap so we could all squeeze into one transport pod. It was a tight fit with how large the men are. Well, that, and the fact that Ezra and Aksel managed to squeeze in, too. Thankfully, the pod was dark, so I didn’t have to look anyone in the eye every time I blushed at the thought of how close Ryker and I were.

The evening air feels refreshing. A light breeze carries the scent of fresh pine mingled with baked goods. Ryker takes my hand. Kellan stands on my other side. The pink cloak I'm wearing does a good job at warding off the chill in the air.

I tried to get out of it, but my friends convinced me that making memories was more important than my pride. I couldn’t argue after that. Dressed in a pink cloak and glittery cake-shaped glasses, I make my way down the alley with an entourage of friends and guards toward the heart of the village.

The last time I was here, Ryker and I were on an unofficial first date. Funny how quickly things have changed. He went from being a ‘maybe’ to being ‘everything.’ I never imagined I’d get this much time to love him before the Ceremony.

“Whatcha thinkin’ about RaeRae?” Kellan asks, nudging my shoulder.

I’m brought back to the present to find that we’ve meandered to the edge of the square. I breathe a sigh of relief that Kellan is here. Things are still a little weird between us, but at least he’s here.

I want my best friend back.

I look up into his beautiful hazel eyes that are filled with firelight from the sconces on the wall. “Did you know that the first time I came here, Tate carried me on his shoulders?” I giggle, turning to find Tate already coming toward us with an arm full of drinks for everyone. It’s some kind of towering concoction topped with fruit and sprinkles.

“Birthday girl!” Tate yells. “First shot of the night goes to you.”

It’s only then that I notice Ciara beside him, carrying a wooden board with shots in little neon beakers. My stomach instantly swirls. I’ve never been drunk. I mean, I have had sips of wine and different drinks, but this…

“She doesn’t drink,” Kellan supplies.

Ryker’s hand tightens around mine as he tilts my chin. “What do you want to do, love? If you drink, I won’t let anything happen to you. If not, that’s okay too.”

I tug him down and kiss him softly. “I’ll take the drink. Don’t take advantage of me, Prince.”

His responding hum sends sparks south of my stomach.

I eye the neon pink liquid Ciara hands me with suspicion, but throw it back before I can hesitate any longer, nearly choking from the burn. Our friends holler around us, making me giggle. Ciara passes out shots to everyone except Ezra and Aksel, who look displeased. Everyone downs them before reaching for whatever drink Tate brought.

Tate lifts his glass high, a lopsided grin softening into something gentler. “To Raea. Thanks for befriending me when I was a total disaster and for always giving me the stability I didn’t even know I needed. For all the times I joke, you’re a cornerstone in my life. I’m grateful for you every single day.”

My eyes sting before I can stop them, the unexpected sweetness hitting harder than any drink could.