Page 25 of Bonded Ever After

“And he’s… good to you?”

“Yeah.”

“You’re happy?”

“Yeah.”

I settle back. “Then that’s all that matters.”

“Really?” He sounds shocked.

“Yeah,” I tell him, then knock him with my shoulder.

He smiles.

I hold out my fist and we bump fists. Any tension that might have been between us fades away. It’s true that I’ve never heard of two men being together, don’t even know why it’s in the rules to begin with, but I love Teth. That love isn’t conditional based on whether he loves a man or woman.

“You know I’ll–”Miss you.

“I know,” he says. “And you know I’ll–”Miss me.

“I know.”

We give an awkward hug, and the dust in the air stings my eyes. I’ve known Teth all my life, and here, in this quiet building, we’re saying goodbye forever. The good thing is that saying goodbye doesn’t erase all the wonderful memories we’ve made in life. If anything, it makes them more precious because we’ll never make another memory again.

Suddenly, the lights flicker on in the Council meeting room, and we stiffen, releasing each other. My mom storms in, and the other council members file in behind her, looking like they’re full of dread. I don’t blame them. If my mom is mad, things are going to get bad.

When everyone is seated, she turns to them. “On whose authority did you reschedule the physicals for the Gold Keepers?”

“Mine,” Councilman Vyn says smugly, sweeping his hand through his steel-gray hair weaved with black.

“For what reason?” There’s a tick in her eye.

He glances at the others. They look away, and his arrogant voice comes out, “It hasn’t escaped our notice that you’ve dragged your feet in building the new science building every step of the way, even though this plan was agreed upon when Callum and Elora were just children. Even though Paradise Falls would be in a much better position right now if the original science building hadn’t burned to the ground. It’s our belief that you don’t agree with our decision.”

My mother stutters, and she never stutters. “T-that’s a blatant lie. I have been there every step of the way, making certain the building was perfect.”

Vyn lifts a brow. “Yes, thereeverystep of the way slowing down everything and demanding perfection. Come on, Council Member Kela, are we to believe that all of that is just a coincidence?”

Her back is straight. “You should see that as a sign of me doing a great job, just as I always have.”

The thing is, my mom is lying, and I don’t understand why. Is it because those labs in the new science building are set up for the creatures of Neverwood, and she’s rightfully decided that such a plan is idiotic? Or is this something else? Because I’ve never seen my mom so transparently trying to lie. All over a science building. It’s bizarre.

There’s a loud knocking at the council chamber door. My mom uses the distraction to motion for the person to be let in. A second later, Elora’s stepmom is there. She looks half-drunk, walking a little unevenly, her hair a mess.

“Fiodee,” my mom greets, “to what do I owe the honor?”

Elora’s stepmom lets her gaze run over all the council members, and there’s uncertainty in her expression. It hangs over her so much that I find myself rooting for her to turn around and walk away, because anything a person is that worried about saying probably shouldn’t be said.

“Fiodee?” my mom prods.

The blonde takes a shaky breath. “I have something important to tell you.” No one interrupts, and she pushes forward, her words slurred. “Elora is pregnant.”

Fuck.My stomach sinks. Every muscle in my body tightens.I don’t think Elora has had time to talk to Ferone already. What the hell are we going to do?

My mom looks horrified, but not surprised. The others look surprised though, staring at each other like their world has been turned upside down. It’s weird. They don’t even know that the baby is mine.Shouldn’t they be happy? Shouldn’t this be cause for celebration?

“There’s more,” Fiodee says, taking a shuddering breath. “Callum is the father.”

---