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“Haughty,” I suggest.
“I was going to say boring, but haughty works.” He chuckles. “I’m glad Stellan married you. You’re going to be good for him. He doesn’t know it yet, but you’re exactly what he needs.”
Evander’s words warm my heart.
Maybe this will work after all. I just wish I could have the opportunity to get to know my husband. Hopefully once he returns he will stay longer.
I want to ask Evander about where Stellan went, but somebody else enters the room and disrupts me. I turn to spot Dove walking inside. She sits on the opposite side, directly across from Evander. She’s dressed nicer than Evander, wearing a nice skirt and top, but I can see I made the right decision about not dressing up too much.
“Natalia texted and said she’s going to be a little late,” Dove informs us.
Evander smirks, giving me a look. “Told you.”
I can’t help but giggle.
Dove glances up at the sound. “Evander, are you being mischievous?”
He feigns a shocked look. “Mother, would I dare misbehave in front of my sister-in-law?”
She raises an eyebrow at her youngest son, but she smiles widely.
“I’ve decided I like Wisteria,” Evander declares. “She’s a good addition to the family.”
Family.
It’s strange, but even though I haven’t been here long at all and this is my first ‘family dinner,’ I’m already comfortable around Stellan’s family. Too bad the feeling of comfort doesn’t yet extend to my husband, but I’m sure we’ll get there—especially if his family is anything to go by. I already adore them.
“Good,” Dove says, nodding her head almost like she’sfeeling resolved. “That will make things easier for Stellan.”
When I look questioningly at Dove, she just smiles. Her comment makes me wonder what’s going on. All of Stellan’s family keeps making cryptic comments like that, but nobody will explain it.
I decide not to ask—if they want me to know, they’ll tell me. Just as I’m definitely not going to tell them what Poppy did to get her magic taken away. Every supernatural species has their own secrets that they don’t share with others and I’m not going to try and make anybody uncomfortable.
About ten minutes later, Natalia, Andrew, and Jason show up—though Jason is asleep in Andrew’s arms. We eat our meal, with Dove insisting we wait for Stellan and King Basilicus to get home before telling the story of what happened on the beach.
I can’t help but notice the differences in the meal compared to at home. There is a lot more meat—which I expected. Shifters eat alot. But it’s a lot more calm and there is a lot of teasing involved. Of course Evander teases Natalia, but he equally teases Andrew and me, making me think he’s already treating me like family—like a sister. I appreciate it because it helps me relax. Every time he makes a joke at my expense, my muscles grow less and less tense until I’m laughing along with the rest of the family.
Natalia just finishes an embarrassing story about Evander when footsteps enter the dining room. I turn in time to see King Basilicus, looking as calm as ever, and Stellan, who frantically scans the table until his eyes land on me.
He couldn’t possibly be worried about me, could he?
7
Strange magic
Wisteria
Wisteria
Stellan doesn’t stop walking until he’s right behind my chair. I wonder if I should say something to reassure him that I’m all right when Evander jumps up from his seat.
“You can sit here.” He moves over one spot, leaving the chair beside me empty.
Stellan doesn’t hesitate to sit, his eyes still on me. “Are you okay?”
Is he actually worried about me? I should reassure him that I’m fine—that I can more than take care of myself, but Natalia beats me to it.
“Wisteria was awesome. She took down a male dragon all on her own.” Natalia grins as she sits up straighter. “All while protecting herself and Jason. I tried to help her, but I was useless against his strength.”
