Page 20 of The Fate of Eternity

“That’s because she is.”

My jaw falls slack as my eyes widen, watching as Brody saunters into the room without a care in the world.

“Brody!” I yell, ready for the ground to open up and take me now, while all he does is smile down at me with innocent eyes.

“What?”

“Stop. Oh my?—”

Laughter echoes through the room and the three of us turn to the source to find Raiden leaning against the door frame. His hair is spiked in every direction, his composure is relaxed, and he almost seems… carefree.

“Oh my days, is Fangs laughing? I didn’t think he could do that,” Nora states, pointing a finger at him as she grins in amusement.

I steel my spine, ready for him to be irritated with my sister’s nickname for him, but to my surprise, he pays it no mind as his gaze settles on me.

“Hey.” The smug look on his face should piss me off, but apparently, I’m incapable of negative emotion at the moment.

Nora takes a seat on the bed, making me inch the sheets even higher as Raiden strolls closer.

“Stop acting like you’re her favorite,” Brody grumbles, sticking his middle finger up at the vampire.

“But I am,” he retorts, planting his hands on his hips as he gives Nora a pointed look, eager for her to correct the mage.

“He’s not,” Nora states, making Raiden gape in surprise.

“I’m not?” He seems genuinely shocked, while I’m genuinely confused as to why this conversation is happening right now. I’m thoroughly fucked, lying in bed after napping for who knows how long, and I need a minute to pull myself together.

“Are you forgetting the part where I used to have dead legs?He’smy favorite,” she explains, pointing over to the doorway where Kryll is standing with Cassian at his side.

“I mean, that’s a little unfair. We can’t all be fancy dragons with healing abilities. I’m doing the best I can with what I’ve got. Besides, you nicknamed me. Thathasto mean I’m the favorite,” Raiden insists, fighting a point with my sister despite this being about her thoughts and opinions.

Nora stands, rolling her eyes at Raiden as she points at him. “Fangs.” Her finger shifts to Brody. “Wizzy.” Cassian. “Howler.” Kryll. “Favorite.” With far more sass than I could ever muster, she turns back to Raiden. “Does that spell it out for you?”

Raiden, for once in his life, is speechless, and it’s not at my hands for a change. My sister is far too pleased with herselfas she sashays out of the room without a backward glance. Only when the door clicks shut behind her does Raiden exhale. “Whatever. She’s confused right now. She will change her mind,” he grumbles, and I can’t decide if it’s aimed at us or at himself.

“I have no idea what that was, but is everyone ready to eat?” Kryll asks, clapping his hands from where he remains by the door, sensing an air of hostility from the grumpy vampire.

My stomach grumbles at that very moment, answering for me, and the five of us wordlessly get ready. Back in my fitted combat pants and tee, with my black cloak over my shoulders, I use my magic to braid my hair into a crown against my head again before I join the others.

No one speaks. No one has to. It’s perfect.

The queen’s laughter greets us first as we round the corner, the patio setup coming into view. Nora hurries toward me like a raging loon, blustering past Brody and Raiden unapologetically as she links her arm through mine.

“That’s her,” she whispers, nodding toward the table like I’m supposed to know what she’s talking about.

“Who?”

“Dad’s lady friend,” she explains, and I accidentally draw to a stop as I take her in. Brown hair falls in a short bob, framing her face and matching eyes. She laughs along with whatever story he’s telling.

I start to move but freeze once again. This time, my eyes shift to Cassian.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m…”

I’m what?

Fuck.

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