Page 87 of The Umbra King

“Here we go,” Lauren mumbled under her breath, and Rory looked at her inquisitively.

Before she could reply, Sam stood and stomped to her bathroom, only to return with the potion. “Open your mouth.”

He had the dropper filled and ready, and when he hovered it over Rory’s mouth, she pulled back and swatted his hand away. “I said I don’t need any.”

“Just take it,” Lauren muttered. “You activated mother hen mode.”

Sam reached down and poked Rory’s shoulder, hard. “Ow! Why’d you do that?” When he lost his wings, did he lose his mind?

“You’re in pain,” he replied and held up the dropper. “Open your mouth, or I will make you.”

Her jaw dropped at his brashness, and before she realized what she’d done, he dropped the potion on her tongue. It was bitter, and she gagged; she hated taking potions and had since she was a little girl. Cora never minded them, but Rory would hide.

Sam grinned and put the potion back in the bathroom. “Caius made it clear you had access to anything you need. There is no need to hoard your potion.”

She glared at the oversized dove. “It’s disgusting. I hate taking potions, even if I have a lifetime supply.”

Sam returned and took a seat. “Don’t be childish.”

As if reading her mind, Lauren handed her a pillow, and Rory launched it across the room.

“Stop throwing things at me,” Sam warned. “You do not want me to throw them back.”

Lauren leaned over and whispered, “He’s not bluffing.”

Rory tried not to laugh again but failed. “Are you two excited about the ball tomorrow?”

Lauren leaned back on her hands and glanced at Sam. “Sure.”

Sam shifted in his chair and avoided looking at her. “Are you two not allowed at the ball or something? Why do you look like that?”

“This is how my face looks,” Lauren replied at the same time Sam said, “You aren’t allowed to go.”

“What?” Rory looked between them. “You can’t tell me whether I can or can’t go to the ball.”

“We could,” Sam reminded her. “But we wouldn’t. Caius is another story.”

“I’m going,” she stated, leaving no room for argument. “I worked the last ball, and I won’t miss this one, too.”

Sam stayed silent, and Lauren rose from the bed. “We’ll let you eat. Tell the guard if you need anything else.” She grabbed Sam’s arm and pulled him up. He grumbled as he extracted his arm from her grip and called on his wings.

They left Rory staring after them, fuming at the nerve of Caius. Bellina opened the door, already dressed for Asher’s party, and motioned to Rory’s shift. “Why aren’t you dressed yet? I can’t do your hair and makeup if you’re not dressed.”

Rory grinned, her annoyance pushed aside, and she and Bellina fell into easy chatter as they got her ready.

Tonight, nothing would dampen her mood.

When Rory walkedinto the banquet room, Asher spotted her immediately and jogged over. The room was huge, and had he waited for her to come to him, they’d be there all night. His arms spread wide to wrap around her, but a shadow caught his arm.

Rory and Bellina jumped as the shadow dissolved, and annoyance soon replaced Rory’s shock. Swiveling her head from side to side, she looked for the king, but came up short.

“Where is he?” she asked mindlessly.

Asher cleared his throat, and when she turned back to him, he pointed at himself. “This is my party, and I demand all your attention.” His boyish grin made her laugh, and she carefully wrapped her arms around his middle.

“That’s more like it.” He smiled down at her and steered them to their other friends. Bellina got there first, chatting animatedly with Tallent.

Cat whistled. “Damn, you look bad.”

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