Page 75 of The Forsaken Heir
Vincent had latched on to me the most. I think he found a commonality with me because we were both outsiders within our own species. Him with his awkwardness, me with my inability to shift. He looked at me as a peer, and someone who understood better than even his best friends. I didn’t want to hurt him or worry the man, but some things were more important than feelings.
“It’s the best way to stop a war before it breaks out,” I said, then glanced around at all three men. “Do you honestly think the dragons can win an all-out fight against the full might of the wolf shifters? Be honest with yourselves.”
Rasp and Aurelius shared a look, their faces tight with worry and pride. Neither of them wanted to admit the truth.
“We’d get wiped out,” Vincent said without hesitation. “Dead as doornails.”
“Jesus, Vince,” Rasp said. “You could at least act like we have a chance.”
Vincent shrugged. “Truth is truth. We’d make a good fight of it, but there’s so few of us, it would be over in a couple months at best.”
“It’s going to be fine,” Aurelius said. “Everyone needs to calm down. You sound like the court members. You two head to your rooms to get some rest. We can talk more tomorrow.”
“Okay,” Rasp snapped. “But I’m serious. You can’t go alone. If you’re accompanying Elle, then Vince and I are going too.”
“Yeah,” Vince said, nodding once for emphasis.
“Fair enough. We’ll discuss it later.” Aurelius led them from the room and closed the door. “Listen, are you hungry? We were supposed to have a banquet at the end of the gala but that?—”
“I’m starving,” I said, my stomach growling at the mention of food.
“Good. Would you like to have dinner with me?”
“Sure,” I said. “Are you going to send out for something or have your staff prepare a meal?”
He winked at me. “I had something else in mind.”
17
AURELIUS
When I knocked on her door twenty minutes later, I already had everything planned out and ready to go. Elle deserved a night to hang out and enjoy life. A simple evening that resembled her old life might ease her mind and worries.
Because of my friends’ actions, she’d had to leave her whole life behind. Her apartment, her job, everything. If I could give her a night to blow off some steam, then I was going to do it.
“Hey,” Elle said, as she opened her door.
She was dressed in the clothing I’d sent her. Nothing extravagant, though. I’d told her to be comfortable. She’d already had to get stuffed into a ball gown today, so there was no need to do all that again.
“Hello,” I replied, smiling at her. “Ready to go?”
“Uh, any hints on what we’re doing?”
Extending a hand to her, I winked and said, “Dinner, silly. Isn’t that what I said?”
She rolled her eyes as she took my hand. “Well, yeah, butwhere?”
“Torrence Steak House. I called and made a reservation for eight-thirty.”
She gaped at me, then checked her watch. “Aurelius, that’s in less than thirty minutes. The city is at least a forty-five minute drive and…” she trailed off as she saw my smile get wider.
She swallowed hard. “Oh, God. Seriously?”
Five minutes later, with Elle clutched gently in my talons, we flew down from the mountains. I’d given her my heavy jacket to hold back the chill air as I drifted down, cruising on updrafts. She’d been wary, her only other experiences with flying having been when Rasp and Vince had kidnapped her, and me rescuing her from slavering, murderous wolves.
“Maybeone dayI’ll get used to this,” she’d said as we stood on the parapet of the old castle portion of the mansion. “But it would be less terrifying if you guys had, like, seats and seatbelts.”
I’d belted out a laugh. “We aren’t steeds to ride into battle, if that’s what you mean.”
