Page 49 of Gift from the Wing

I refuse it.

“Our daughter-in-law is right, my angel,” Dyce says quietly and his sweet nickname for Aurora makes my lip tremble.

How freaking cute. And fitting. She looks like an angel.

“I know. It’s still difficult to accept. We could’ve taken care of her,” she says quietly, looking into his eyes while he nods.

“We could’ve, but it wasn’t our job yet. It was Orien’s, then it was Willow’s own responsibility. Not that that means she should’ve experienced whatever she did, but obviously, being here would’ve been worse. We believe that. And we take care of her now,” he states.

I don’t even mind that they’re speaking as if I’m not sitting right here because their sweet words and his sound reasoning calm me down as much as they do her.

“Well, then it’s decided. We start training tomorrow,” she says with a confident nod, forcefully wiping her tears away.

Yes, exact—wait, what?

“I’m sorry. Did you say training? Training for what?” I ask.

Full-fledged panic mode.

If she says to rule the realm, I’ll die right now.

“Calm down, my girl. I have no intentions of throwing the throne at you all,” she says with a little laugh at my horror-stricken face. “There’s so much none of you know about what it truly means to be a completedtrueNexus. Things you won’t find in your books and lessons. We’ll be teaching you. Starting tomorrow.”

Turning my gaze to the two most knowledgeable people I know, Gaster has a smirk on his face, while Caspian looks utterly confused. Neither reaction gives me any reassurance.

What the hell is Nexus training going to look like?

Seven

Draken

I get it, asshole. I get it.

My dragon chuffs, not happy with being called an asshole, but he sure as shit is being one right now.

I’m just trying to sit here and enjoy my brothers’ embarrassment as Momma Vito goes on and on telling Willow all about them as children. She’s pulling out the good stuff.

Like how the big, bad Vito boys used to hate storms and would kick their dads out of bed because they needed to sleep with her.

I think that shit is cute, but judging by both of their red, stoic faces, they don’t appreciate it.

Tillman’s no better.

She’s doing a good job of reminding him of all the embarrassing, personal shit he called people out for when his gift emerged. He thought he was so cool blabbing people’s thoughts out, having no clue as a careless teenager how mortifying it was to the adults around. He knows that shit now. Willow’s gasps and quiet, playful scoldings make him look thoroughly uncomfortable.

It’shilarious.

There’s nothing Momma Vito could say that would embarrass me. My little wanderer knows I did some stupid shit in my teens, but let’s be honest, I was the baby, so I did no wrong.

“I’ll be back. Give the guys hell while I’m gone,” I say, bending down in front of Willow before stealing a quick kiss.

“You okay?”she asks.

“Yeah, the beast needs to stretch his wings. Don’t fuss over me, little wanderer.”

“Do you want company or is this a solo thing?”she asks, completely understanding.

“Solo if that’s okay.”

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