Page 74 of Tarnished Embers

We’re all sitting in companionable silence when Ember suddenly straightens up, peering around me to look out of the window.

“This isn’t the way home,” she states, her forehead wrinkled as she takes in the countryside that now surrounds us.

“It is now,” Prince says from behind us, and she turns in her seat, her eyes narrowed.

“What do you mean by that?” There’s a smile playing around her luscious lips, so I think our surprise will hopefully be a welcome one.

“Patience, Sugar,” he replies with a devilish grin, and I can’t help the smirk that tugs my lips upwards.

She huffs out a breath but turns back around and continues to stare out of the window, her eyes taking in the surrounding scenery.

Butterflies fill my stomach with excited flutters the closer we get, and soon we’re pulling into the short drive, the old farmhouse lying before us. Her mouth parts as she takes in the stone and flint that make up the front wall, the many large-paned windows, and the lavender bushes that sit underneath the ground-floor windows.

“Where are we?” she breathes out as we pull to a stop, and no one answers as the door is opened and I step out, holding out my hand for her.

“This, Little Sis,” I say, drawing her in front of me and wrapping her up in my arms from behind. “Is our new home.”

“This is ours?” Her voice is soft, her gaze looking at the building with wide-eyed wonder.

“Eight bedrooms, built in the seventeenth century, and full of cozy fireplaces, beams, and lots of nooks and crannies,” I tell her, placing a kiss on her neck.

“Plus there’s quite a bit of land, a swimming pool and gym, and an art studio out back,” Kit adds from beside us, taking her hand in his and pressing a kiss to the back of it.

“It’s a place just for us, Cinders, and we thought you seemed to really love the peace of Serene Haven, so this is our very own slice of heaven.” Cas’s tone is gentle as he watches her face from next to Kit, Prince coming up on our other side.

“What do you think?” Prince asks, and we wait, no one daring to breathe.

“I love it,” she says, glancing around. Then her brows lower. “But, how did we get it? How could we afford it?”

Prince’s intake of breath is audible, and a fissure of worry shoots through me too.

“Well, when Odette died, the power of attorney she had over you and your finances transferred to her next of kin.” He pauses, and I hold her as he comes to stand in front of us, Kit releasing her hand so he can take them both in his. “I thought that going back there would be hard for you, and we all needed a fresh start, so I used some of your inheritance to buy this place. We still have the other if you’d rather go back there. I just thought…”

I’ve not seen Prince so unsure before, and we all agreed that this was for the best, to start anew and not drag her back to the place of all our nightmares. I wish I could see her face, see her reaction to the fact we kind of just railroaded her and took her control, even if it was done with the best of intentions.Shit.

“Can I see the inside?” she asks, and I watch as Prince’s face lights up with a smile, his shoulders relaxing as my heart gives a hard thud inside my chest.

“Abso-fucking-lutely!” I cry out, then stepping to the side, I lift her into my arms bridal style. She squeaks, giggling as she wraps her arms around my neck.

“Oct!” she admonishes with a laugh, but I just chuckle as Prince strides forward, unlocking the large oak door and opening it wide for us.

“It’s traditional to carry you over the threshold,” I tell her, twisting so we can get through the door. Carefully, I set her down and take her hand. “Let’s show you our new home.”

CHAPTERTHIRTY-SIX

“RIGHT HERE” BY CHASE ATLANTIC

EMBER

Every room is painted yellow, from the deepest of golds to the softest of butters, and I can already feel the joy filling up our house, our new home.

I was a little nervous about going back to the mansion, not sure I would ever be able to feel comfortable there again after that night, and my chest tightens knowing that the guys knew this without me even having to say a word. That they knew what I needed and took care of it, even if the worry on Prince’s face confirmed they weren’t sure if I’d agree.

Everything important is here, all our pictures and trinkets, and it’s full of colourful, soft furnishings and rugs which bring tears to my eyes. Mum would have loved this place. Heat radiates through my entire body, my hands tingling as they show me around.

The rooms are spacious, the ceilings low and full of wooden beams throughout the whole place, making it feel homely and safe, like a welcoming cave, a place of refuge. The large, modern art studio in the garden is incredible—apparently, the last owners were artists and it was already here. It’s one reason the guys knew it would be perfect for us, so they told me.

There are enough bedrooms for each of us to have our own space, and a sigh of relief escapes me to see the enormous bed in my room, big enough for us all. I’ve had enough nights on my own and I don’t plan to sleep alone ever again.

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