Page 28 of Their Promise

“I want that list,” Mason said and pointed.

“What are you going to do with it?” Branson asked and arched a brow.

“Convince them they don’t want to go down this path,” Mason said. “That their life will be much better if they stay away from Lily.”

“Are you saying being with me is a curse?” I asked with a scowl and put my hands on my hips.

“Of course not,” he said and tried to go around Branson, but Branson put his arm out and growled at him.

Mom sat down on the couch and I walked over to sit beside her, leaning my chin on her shoulder while looking at the list, Igasped at the names there. “Did you add some names on your own?”

She shook her head. “They all came up to me last night.”

“Liar,” I accused even though I knew she wasn’t.

She just looked at me with a knowing expression.

I pointed at a name on the list. “Him?”

“Who?” Kayden asked, coming to stand behind the couch.

“Prince Liam of the Elves,” Mom answered and smirked when I turned and glared at her.

Kayden’s eyes widened. “I didn’t realize you were friends with him.”

“I’m not,” I replied.

“She can be courted by those she hasn’t even met before. She doesn’t need to know them yet. That’s the point of courting. To get to know each other and see if you’re a good fit,” Mom answered. “Her list would be far too short if it was just people she’d been friends with previously.”

Mason growled. “She’s wearing our gift.”

Mom’s eyes dipped to the necklace and I reached up to touch it.

“A courting gift?” she asked.

“Yes,” Mason and Kayden said simultaneously.

“Apparently I don’t get a birthday gift,” I said and sighed dramatically. “I feel a bit unappreciated and unloved. My childhood friends didn’t get me a birthday gift, but stole my first dances.”

“Oh, you do have some gifts in the car,” Mom said and perked up. Looking over her shoulder at Riddick and Caleb at the dining table, she asked, “Can you go bring them in, please?”

They got up and Branson, after pointing at Mason with a glare to behave, went out to help as well.

“Are you really thinking about letting others court you?” Kayden asked, and sat on the couch opposite us.

“You don’t get to return after being away from her for years and demand she only courts you,” Mom said sternly.

“We made a promise,” Mason said as he sat by Kayden.

“Your childhood mating promise?” Mom asked with a scowl as she looked between us.

“You knew about that?” I asked, my mouth hanging open.

“Yes. You came home and told me about it,” she said with a soft laugh. “Made me promise not to tell your dads.”

“What did you promise not to tell us?” Caleb asked as he reentered carrying tons of bags in his hands. “I thought we told each other everything.”

“Let’s not talk about this anymore,” Mason said. “I came to pick Lily up. She agreed to go with me today.”

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