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Arden shook his head at her. Same old Justice. No matter how old they got, she was as wild, perverted, and reckless as she’d always been. Maybe that was why they’d gotten along so well all those years ago. Arden felt the guilt start back up. He never should have pulled away from everyone and everything. He’d been running, but what good had it done him? These were still his people, his family. And he needed to take responsibility for that.
Justice glanced at him and grinned. “Oh don’t start your self-loathing bullshit,” she said as she punched him in the arm. “Everything’s going to be fine. You’re here now. Besides,” she glanced around the room. “I love these people just as much as you do. And I’m happy to lead them.”
“They could use it. Dragons are like children,” Arden sighed. “Always needing to be led.”
Spooky waltzed his way over and Arden raised a brow. The sassy little familiar glared up at him and jabbed a finger into his stomach, hiding the action with his body.
“What are you over here smiling so much about?” he asked.
“I can’t speak to someone?” Arden asked.
“No.”
“Hello, I’m Jus-”
Spooky hissed at her outstretched hand. She quickly pulled it back, her eyes wide as she looked between Spooky and Arden.
“Don’t mind him,” Gamble said as he grabbed Spooky’s shoulders tightly. “He’s a little cranky, that’s all.” Gamble held out a hand. “It’s nice to meet our mate’s future wife. Wow, that sounds fucking weird.”
“Yes, it does.” Justice laughed as she shook his hand. “But it’s nice to meet you. All of you.” She smiled at Spooky. “And I can promise the only person for me is my mate over there glaring at us right now. I wouldn’t dare take someone away from their mate or in this case, mates,” she corrected. “Besides, he’s not my type.”
“What is your type?” Spooky asked.
“Women,” she sighed. “Tall, beautiful, wild women.”
Arden burst out laughing again. “You look like a teenager.”
She elbowed him. “How do you thinkyoulook when you talk about them? You get all dreamy eyed and soft. It’s honestly disgusting,” she said. “I better go say hello. The sooner people know we’re engaged, the quicker we can hear a bunch of idiotic rumors and squash them.”
“I’ll do the same,” Arden said, desperately trying to ignore her comment and Gamble’s smug grin. “And I’ll introduce you to the rest of my mates later.”
“Sounds like a ball.” She winked. “Once this stuffy party is over, we can all retire to my quarters, grab a bottle of the good stuff, and get to know each other.”
“I’d like that,” Arden said.
Once she was gone, he gazed at Gamble and Spooky. “Wipe that look off of your face, kitten. She’s nice.”
“Too nice.”
“Don’t be a brat,” Arden said as he gazed into Spooky’s eyes. “I’ll make it up to you tonight.”
The familiar shuddered. “When you say shit like that…”
“I know. It turns you on,” Arden said with a smug little smirk on his lips. “Don’t go creaming your pants just yet. There’s still a lot of party left.”
Arden gazed around the room to where Eldon and Bash were now thankfully more relaxed. But Micha was different. His head whipped back and forth and he looked uneasy. Something in Arden stirred.
“I’ll be back,” he told Gamble and Spooky. “Have a drink and relax.”
“Yes, sir,” Spooky sighed. “Come on, Gamble. And stop holding back me back from beating a bitch. I can feel that damn magic,” he mumbled as they walked away.
Arden took a few steps toward Micha before a man stepped in his view. He looked up and blinked at him. After a minute, the realization hit him.
“Janek,” he said, a smile appearing on his lips again. “You’re here.”
“Yeah, I’m here,” he said as he opened his arms. “Can an old friend get a hug or what?”
Arden stepped into his arms and their hands slammed against each other’s arms. When they pulled back from each other, Janek beamed at him.
