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“Focus up, Arden,” the man called as he sat with his feet propped up on the edge of the makeshift ring they had created. He grinned. “Come on, put your back into it.”
Arden flipped him off. “Fuck you.”
Ezra gasped, a hand pressed against his chest as his eyes flew open. “How uncultured, Ardoneous! I think you should apologize.”
“I’ll do that when pigs fly and you get a girlfriend.”
Justice burst out laughing and quickly pressed her lips together trying to stifle the sound. Ezra’s jaw dropped for real and Arden felt damn proud of himself.
“If I come in there and kick your ass I’d be wrong!” Ezra called.
“And you’d be getting your ass beat too,” Arden grunted. “So it would be a loss all the way around.”
“Enough you two,” Justice said as she shook her head. “Ezra, stop antagonizing him. And Arden, we’re done for the day. You’re showing great improvement.” She walked over and patted his arm. “Besides, I know what today is for you.”
A shadow came over Arden’s face. Yes, today was important to him but for all the wrong reasons. It drug back up those old emotions, ones that kept resurfacing. Except now instead of ignoring them, he was facing them. Not all at once, fuck that. But bit by bit. He had to if he was going to continue to be one with his dragon.
“Thanks,” he finally ground out. “I should go. There’s an important phone call I’m waiting for first.”
“Hit the showers,” she said as she walked off and waved. “Come, Ezra. I’m dying for a drink.”
Arden watched the two of them go off, laughing with each other. He carefully watched his brother, but he saw no sign of him so much as limping now. A sigh escaped his pursed lips. Ezra was better and he was thankful for that.
He sat down on a stone bench and enjoyed the solitude around him. Being with his men was wonderful, but sometimes he still relished the small moments of absolute silence and calm. He glanced up at the sky as the setting sun warmed his skin and smiled.
It felt like he’d come so far.
Once upon a time, he’d only wanted to lock himself away. And now he never wanted to do that again. Instead, he wanted to share every moment with his mates and the people that he loved.
The ringing of his phone drew Arden back to reality. He picked it up and grinned at the name on the screen.
“About time you called.”
“Some of us are working old man!” Foi called.
Porter chuckled. “Ignore him. Get off of me, Foi!” There was a crash and a groan and Arden shook his head in response. They never changed. It was comforting. “How are things in Havenwood?”
Arden stood up and glanced around. “They’re going well. Most of the palace is well on its way to being repaired. There was a lot of fire damage so we had to tear it down and start all over in places, but dragons are nothing if not resilient.”
Porter sighed. “I’m so glad to hear that,” he said. “And how are uh…” He chuckled. “Your boyfriends?”
Arden groaned. “You cursed me, you know that? I’m pretty sure whatever you touch turns to mushy bullshit.” Porter’s laughter made his heart feel lighter. “They’re great, same pains in my ass as always. But they've been a great help here and I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
“Aww that’s so sweet,” Porter said wistfully. “I’m so glad you found them, Arden. Really. If anyone deserves happiness, it’s you.”
Heat swept over his neck and Arden slapped a hand on it. No way in hell was he blushing. “You’re just saying that because I picked your ass out of the gutter.”
“Of course!” Porter laughed. “You saved me and I’ll forever be grateful for that.”
The embarrassment grew and Arden was ready to strangle him. “Move on.”
“Right,” he said, the sound of his grin still clear. “All charges have been formally dropped against the Silvercross PGD. There was no evidence and once they finished looking into shit, they realized the person who made the claim was full of it.”
“Does that mean…”
“We all anxiously await your reopening, your Highness. Or is it your Majesty now?”
Arden gripped the phone hard. “You’ve been running your mouth with that goddamned cat, haven’t you?”
