Page 24 of Wild for the Wyvern

Dean stares at me with wide eyes. “You look amazing.” He dabs a tear from the corner of his eye.

Lori drops her things on the floor and runs across the room. “Oh my god! I can’t believe you’re getting married.” She stops short of hugging me, as if I might break.

Standing, I pull her into my arms. “I can’t believe it either.”

“I’m afraid I’ll wrinkle you.” She laughs. “There are so many um…people outside. My head is spinning.”

“It’s like the monster interstellar convention or something.” Dean acts as if he sees monsters every day and it’s no big deal. “I’m so curious about the one with the tentacles.” He pulls me out of Lori’s arms and holding my shoulders, gives me a look from head to toe. “Spectacular.” He hugs me.

Astra’s laugh is warm and impossible to ignore, as it’s like music. “Marty is a good time, but be advised, he can get attached with those tentacles and you have to wait for the suction to release. It can be…tedious.”

Lori and Dean both shift their attention from me and stare wide-eyed at the nymph in her pale-blue gown that clings to every curve of her perfect body. Her blond hair streams downher back and over her shoulders like a cascade of golden waterfall.

Trying to make light of the awkward way they’re staring, I say, “This is my friend, Astra. Astra, this is Dean, Lori, and that’s Meg fussing over the clothes. We were all in foster care together.”

Astra’s hair flows to the right as she cocks her head. “Then these are your siblings. How lovely to meet you.” She extends her hand to Dean first and then to Lori.

Mouths slightly agape, they each shake her hand and blink.

Finally, Dean says, “You’re the first woman I’ve ever found attractive.”

Somehow, Astra manages to look both amused and sympathetic at the same time. She grins, but her gaze is soft and full of kindness. “Don’t worry. It’s only because I’m a nymph. You’re still gay.”

Then we all laugh.

Except for Meg, who is still fussing. Finally, she turns and looks at me. “I wanted to be here to do your hair.” A tear slides down her face and she rushes into my arms.

I pat her back. “It’s okay. I know wrangling these two is a full-time job. Astra helped, and you can finish my hair if you want.”

With a deep breath, Meg steps back and turns to look at Astra. She freezes. “It’s you.”

“Hello, Meg. I remember you too.” Astra pulls Meg into a hug. “I was sorry to hear about your parents.”

“You knew? How…” Meg pulls back and stares at Astra as if they were friends long estranged.

Cupping Meg’s cheek, Astra says, “I always kept an eye on you after that day in the lake. I wish I had been watching your father too. Maybe I could have done something.” She sighs, and even that sounds like the harmony of some sad song.

“Um…” Dean clears his throat. “What’s happening?”

I’d actually like to know too. Then I remember the story Meg told about being rescued from drowning. “Wait, is Astra the woman who saved you when you were little?”

With a watery smile, Meg nods.

Drayce

The wedding was nice, but for me, Kori has been my mate from the moment I first saw her. Even though I made mistakes, she was always mine.

Still, hearing her tell the judge and witnesses that she would love me for a lifetime was satisfying. My wyvern barely contained himself.

Across the yard, she’s talking to her friends, and places her hand over her abdomen. They all scream and hug her, then look over at me.

Before I know it, I’m engulfed in hugs and congratulations. I hug them back, happy to be included in Kori’s friendships with the three people she’s closest to. They’re her family, and I want them to like me.

Lori says, “Um, I hope this isn’t rude, but will the baby be human or a mon…um…wyvern?”

Meg elbows her. “It is rude.”

Dean stares with wide, expectant eyes, waiting for my answer.

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