Page 16 of To Spark a Dragon's Love
Neither did I. But the gap between us was so wide I couldn’t see my way to the other side.
I clasped my hands behind my back, turning toward the window. “You’ll need to send out the invitations to the ceremony soon if we’re to have it in the coming week. We’ll be hosting it here even though this location isn’t safe. I’ll handle any issues. Will your staff help with the arrangements?”
Kieran’s eyes burned a hole in my back and I could hear his thoughts swirling before he chose to speak.
“Everyone here is family,” he finally said. “They’ll be honored to serve the guardian.”
You dishonor them.
A bitter smile reflected back at me in the glass of the window. I dropped it as quickly as it came. “Let’s hope for all our sakes that thishopeis worth it. Then maybe the guardian title will mean something again.”
7
Willow
Monkey See, Monkey Do
“All I’m saying is that you’d think the two of you would be more excited to be publicly bonded to your soulmates.” Ember stopped pacing long enough to give Riley and me each a pointed glare.
Forgive me for not jumping for joy at tying myself to the monster.I turned off the water, pretending I didn’t hear what Ember said as Harper and I sang the last of “Splish Splash” as our nightly bathtime routine.
“But no actual splashing, okay?” I told Harper.
“She’s talking to you, too,” Riley called out as she turned down the TV. Kieran had hooked us up with Wi-Fi and streaming in the cabin. Honestly, I’d rather hear the awful news reports on seismic destruction she was listening to than get into this with Ember.
“Is Auntie Em talking to me?” Harper asked as she filled the pot with bubbles.
“No. She’s talking to me,” I said. “I’m listening,” I spoke louder before handing Harper a washcloth. “Ten minutes and then pajamas.”
“What makes you think we aren’t excited?” Riley was asking from the other room.
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe you could help with the planning or be gushing over your dress or care at all about the menu.” Poor Ember sounded so frustrated.
“We’re not all romantics like you,” Riley said.
I closed my eyes, taking a slow breath as I gripped the bathroom sink. I knew I needed to get back out there, but I was… hiding.
I’d been avoiding anything Malachy-related for the past week. Now that the ceremony was in a few days, I was running out of excuses to stay away.
“And really, this ceremony is about Willow and Malachy anyway.” Riley raised her voice, throwing the heat at me. “They’re the celebrities. I’m just tagging along to save us all some time and money.”
“You’re not paying for anything,” Ember deadpanned.
“And I’m not a celebrity,” I said.
Ember’s eyes found mine in the reflection of the bathroom mirror.
Like a hawk, she zoomed in. “There’s something you aren’t telling me.”
“That I’m a secret rockstar?” I joked.
How had I thought this cabin was too empty when Riley and Willow were with their mates? It was way too crowded now. One bathroom for three and a half women, with walls so thin the Kool-Aid man could kick straight through them.
Did I just age myself with that reference?
Whatever. It was chaos. Pure and simple.
“Are you really a rockstar?” Harper asked, awestruck.
