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A knock sounds from my bedroom door, and before I can answer, it swings open and Zane peeks his head around the frame. His hazel eyes pierce mine and his tongue slips out as he takes me in.
“Fuck, Raven.”
Slowly walking toward him, I smile. “If you’re offering for us to stay here and do that instead, I’m all in.”
“I wish,” he mutters, opening the door further as I approach. “But my father already reached out through the shell to make sure I was on my way.”
“Shell?”
“Yeah, the emergency communication,” he explains, pointing over his shoulder like that explains it all. “Weren’t you given one too?”
I frown, thinking back to when I got here, but I definitely don’t recall being given one. Is Abel a member of The Monarchy? Technically, but he’s not a Monarch. All I got was a spoonful of my father’s bullshit followed by an envelope from Lyra with my new life inside it. But I remember tipping the contents of that out too and there was nothing there.
“Um, no. I don’t think so.” I wave him off at the same time Eldon hollers my name from the lounge.
“Ready?” he asks when I come into view, and I shake my head.
“No, do you want to stay here with me instead?” I pout, hoping it will work, but the second he shakes his head at me, I know I’m not getting out of this.
“Come on. Let’s go. The quicker we get there—”
“The quicker we can leave. I know,” I interrupt with an eye roll, and he reaches for my hand, halting me in place before I can make it to the door.
“What I was going to say was the quicker we get there, the quicker we can say goodbye to these unwanted guests and come home so I can fuck you straight into next week. Sound good?” His thumb runs over my knuckles, sending a jolt of electricity through me.
“Yeah.”
“Good. Now, get that hot ass in the carriage. I want every fucker there tonight to know that you’re ours. Well,mineat least,” he adjusts with a grin as he grips my hand tighter and leads me to the waiting carriage.
Brax is already outside, his strong, wide frame outlined by the limited moonlight. Creed rushes out a step behind us, along with Zane, and it’s not until we’re all seated in the carriage that I realize they’re all wearing the exact same outfit: black suits with crisp white shirts, black ties, and black shoes.
It’s crazy how they can all wear the same thing yet look completely different. Brax still looks like he’s about to unalive someone. He’ll just look delicious as he does it. Zane looks like he’s about to address a damn nation, while Eldon looks one smirk away from dropping every girl’s panties in all his playboy glory. Creed, on the other hand, looks deep in thought, like the words to a fairytale or folklore song are being crafted in his beautiful mind.
I’m lost in my appreciation for my men as we travel, arriving at the main academy building all too soon, and I instantly regret not pep-talking myself on the way here instead of ogling the goodies on display.
Brax exits the carriage first, offering me his hand as he steps out, which I take with a murmured thanks.
“I’m nervous about my parents being here,” I add without prompt, but I feel like if I don’t say it, it will be left building inside of my chest before I eventually explode.
“They are,” Zane responds before Brax can even turn to look at me. A stone hits hard in my gut and my nerves turn to all-out anxiety.
“How do you know?”
“When my father called, he mentioned that he ensured we’ve all been put at an extended table. Together.”
“We?”
“All of us,” Brax clarifies, his hand still clutching mine as we follow the trail of other guests into the venue. I think this is the most public display of affection he’s shown me that doesn’t involve beating someone. I don’t want to spook him, so I keep my lips shut as I look up at him, waiting for him to explain. “And our parents. It will be one big happy time.” His amusement at the situation is at a zero and I’m right there with him. But if Rhys is there, I’ll feel a little safer, I’m sure.
The crowd proceeds inside until we appear at the same double doors that lead to the ballroom where the last event was held. I’m still undecided on whether the events here are a good idea. The last time I was inside these four walls, I was definitely overwhelmed by my parents and brother, but once we got out of here… that ended up being a night of a lot of firsts between me and my men.
If that’s the same selection on the menu tonight, then maybe an hour or so with unwanted family members might be bearable.
“Did your father know if Burton will be here?” I ask, and Zane shakes his head. We should assume he’ll be here, but since he’s been completely absent the past few days, we can’t be certain.
“We can only assume, but there hasn’t been anything mentioned.”
After hearing Sebastian’s conversation with Erikel, or the little we did, at least, we’ve been searching for Burton ever since. I haven’t heard or seen Lyra either, which has me even more concerned. I’ve even spoken to Fitch, but still, there’s been nothing. I just couldn’t bring myself to give the details to him. I don’t know why. I want to see Burton. No one else will do unless he doesn’t show up today, then we’re going to need options. Like Rhys, he’ll help us.
