Page 7 of Their Promise

“Your hair looks good so long,” he commented, his voice closer. “Don’t you think so, Mas?”

“Hmph,” Mason replied.

Closing my eyes, I willed the ability to teleport to suddenly present itself. Mom could do it, so maybe I could as well, even though we weren’t blood related. Please? Please?

“Are you going to try to ignore us even in person?” Mason asked.

Summoning the resolve, I turned with a wide smile. “Mason! Kayden! Long time no see. How are you two? When did you get in town? I thought you lot were still on the other continent helping with the demon problem?”

They looked at each other, scowling, before turning to me.

“Did you not get our letter?” Kayden asked, walking closer.

Maya opened the patio door, looked around, and tensed when she saw the three of us. “Oh, uh, Lily, Great Nana Kara was asking for you. Should I tell her you’re?—”

“Coming!” I shouted and started towards the door, turning my head, I smiled at Kayden and Mason. Stars they looked amazing. Tall, muscular, fierce, and handsome. Enough to make women everywhere drool, but right now I felt pain and fear. I needed to get away from them. “We’ll have to catch up soon!” Once inside with the door separating them from me, I exhaled and said, “You are a lifesaver, Maya.”

She shook her head as she led the way to the table where Great Nana Kara was sitting. “Those two are right behind us, girl. They aren’t going to give up without you talking to them.” We paused right near the table and she turned to me, her mouth dropped open. “Wait, is this about the promise?” she squeaked.

I put a hand over her mouth. “Shush. How did you even know about that?”

She pulled my hand down. “You told me when we were kids. I’d forgotten about it, but your twenty-fifth birthday is coming up next week.” She gasped. “Is that why they’re back? To mate with you?”

“Who’s mating with whom?” Great Nana Kara asked.

Maya and I flinched.

“No one is mating with anybody, Nana,” I said as I turned and smiled at her. She had a full head of grey hair now that was pulled back to show off her pointed ears. She always moved with elegance and was the epitome of royalty. She was also the best healer in the world. Hurrying over, I knelt by her chair to hug her. “How have you been?”

“I’m better now that you’re back,” she said. “I brought you here to discuss something important, though.”

“Oh?” I asked and took the empty seat beside her.

“A little elven girl, full blooded elf, has shifted into a snake. Her parents asked if you might be willing to talk with her and help her.”

“Of course!” I said, delighted. “Being a snake isn’t the easiest, so we have to stick together.”

She smiled and patted my cheek gently. “That’s wonderful. Thank you. Are you having fun tonight?”

“Getting to spend time with my family is always fun,” I said, and leaned into her hand.

She leaned closer and asked, “Is that why you ran away from Mason and Kayden?”

I opened my mouth to argue, but she winked at me and said, “Darling, can you go find your mother and let her know about the plans?”

“Of course, Great Nana,” I said and stood. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mason and Kayden approaching.

“Kayden and Mason! Come give me a hug! How have two of my favorite boys been?” she yelled as I veered away from her and searched the room for my mom. My wonderful, wonderful great grandmother always had my back. I’d have to buy her a present and visit her soon.

I spotted Mom across the dance floor and started my way through the people, pushing through those dancing.

An arm looped around my waist and pulled me into a spinning dance.

Raising my eyes, I gasped when I found them connected with Prince Trey of the Dragons.

“Hello, Princess Liliana,” he greeted with a warm smile.

“Prince Trey,” I whispered in response and tried to break free from the dance, but he kept his hold on my waist.

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