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Nodding emphatically, she smiled wide. “Exceptional! It was a good day for a swim.”
“It definitely is.”
Josiah and Lucy emerged from the woods, talking enthusiastically. Brianna caught Josiah’s eye almost instantly and bid Rukia and Gideon goodbye before joining her friends.
Pensive calm settled over Gideon’s handsome features, an introspective look muddling his eyes. “How different our lives are now than even two years ago.” He paused. “A good change, I think.”
Rukia scoffed. “If you call babysitting a werewolf good. I thought I had fleas the other day.”
A smirk coiled on Gideon’s lips, his burnished gold skin radiant under the sun’s rays. Of South American descent, the monarch of her nation had landed in this territory centuries ago. At nearly six hundred years old, Gideon’s extensive worldly travels and diverse experiences had afforded him a unique view, colored by a past he largely kept hidden and rarely divulged. In truth, he’d weathered the brunt of cruelty and neglect during the first century of his immortal life.
Held captive by a female vampire who took advantage of the Elemental strength of his blood, he’d been bound and detained, alone, for nearly ninety years. In a tribute to his unsinkable nature, he’d persevered, and earned his freedom by sheer grit and determination.
That didn’t, however, mean that the scars of his captivity had faded.
Around his wrists he wore an assortment of leather bands to hide the evidence of his torment; around his neck he wore the key that had earned him his freedom.
Though Rukia would never admit to it, Gideon was her inspiration.
Behind them, a strong breeze signaled the incoming presence of the wind Elemental. Broad shouldered and typically the one with the most joie de vivre of all three, Jeremiah was a bubbly Golden Retriever compared to the duty-driven German Sheppard that was Gideon.
That probably made Rukia a yippy Chihuahua.
Jokester at heart, the wind Elemental had weathered the evils of the world but came out the better for it. She’d never seen Jeremiah have a bad day, nor hold a grudge without forgiving it in excess shortly thereafter. He was a far better person than she.
“Plotting world domination without me?” came Jeremiah’s voice as he jogged up to join them. Settling in to stroll beside them, he thrust his hands in his pockets. “How unfair.”
Casting a smirk at the red-haired male, Rukia chuckled. “It was intentional. Can’t have you interfering with our plans.”
Jeremiah had the audacity to look aghast before donning his best grin. “Another gathering, huh? Seems like only yesterday we were hosting the last.”
“Indeed.” Gideon nodded. “We were just discussing how much our lives have changed in the last two years.”
“For some more than others. How’s marriage, Gid? Feeling anemic yet?” Jeremiah nudged Gideon’s arm suggestively
“Feeling just fine, Jeremiah, thank you for inquiring on my wellbeing. Tyee’s back if you hadn’t heard.”
“Good.” Jeremiah said. “I wasn’t looking forward to arranging all those chairs by myself. Maybe I can convince Tyee to help set up.”
Gideon patted Jeremiah’s back. “We’ll all help, Jeremiah.”
“Speak for yourself, Jer,” Rukia snickered. “I’ll be doing my nails.”
Jeremiah didn’t miss a beat. “Getting all done up for your Raeth?”
Rukia fisted her hands. “Just because he manhandled me into dancing with him last time doesn’t mean he’s my Raeth. I’d rather jump off a cliff.”
“Touchy, touchy. I’ll be sure to mention your hot buttons to Isaiah the next time I see him.”
Baring her teeth at the air Elemental, Rukia nearly faceplanted when a massive black wolf darted out in front of her. If it hadn’t of been for Gideon’s hand shooting out to grab her upper arm, she would have bit the dust. The wolf, unapologetic, lolled his floppy red tongue to the side as if amused.
“Aidan, I’m going to neuter you,” Rukia promised before she turned to Gideon with a serious expression. “Why don’t you see if you can control his mind? It’d be handy for dog shows.”
A feral sounding growl emitted from the beast before Aidan turned his attention to his rapidly approaching mate. Tail wagging, triangle-shaped ears pricked as Lucy ran her hands over the softness of his fur and hugged his fluffy neck.
“You should really be more careful, Aidan. Don’t want to give poor Rukia a heart attack.”
Huffing a sigh, Aidan padded alongside them while they continued toward the compound. As they approached, Lucy turned to them. “Do you want to join us? I’m making some lunch.”
