Page 136 of Gift from the Source
“Ready?” I ask quietly.
“Ready.” Aria and Oakley mimic.
We all open our eyes together and my jaw falls open at the sight of the two of them.
I have the most beautiful best friends in the entire realm.
“Willy,” Oakly whispers.
“Don’t even start. We’re far too pretty for useless tears right now,” I say, glaring at her teasingly.
“You’re right…” she says, then clears her throat. “I’m so getting laid tonight.”
I snort and smirk. “Damn right you are.”
“Well, turn around, let me see,” Aurora says from behind us, and I do as I’m told.
“Oh, girls,” she says softly, laying her fingers gently to her lips. I give her the same glare I gave Oakly when her eyes begin to mist. “Stay right there. I’ll be right back.”
Before I can ask her where she’s going, she has her dress hiked up and she hauls ass through the doors.
“I think she approved,” Aria says.
While we wait for her to return, we spend a moment obsessing over each other. I have to give myself a pat on the back. We look damn good.
Hopefully good enough to eat.
“You all look stunning, Adored.”
“Thank you, Tanith.”
“If you’ll be so kind to open the dome for me. My lord needs my approval of his attire.”
“Does he really?”
“Yes,undoubtedly. He has decided, whilst still matching your color scheme, he wanted to dress in the style of the Keep. Your mind reader mended his outfit for him. I believe he’s a tad nervous he’s forgotten how he dressed back home.”
Although the sass is plentiful in her words, I don’t miss the underlying longing and sadness. I’m not sure if it’s his or hers, maybe both. Regardless, I nod with no questions or complaint.
I don’t draw attention to it now, but I will be thanking Tillman for making that for him and I’ll be thanking my father-in-law for matching us.
Calling forth my earth, I open the mirrors overhead large enough that she can fly out. She’s so graceful with her take-off, she doesn’t ruffle my hair or dress as she takes to the sky with a small rumble.
I turn back to the girls just in time as Aurora steps out through her door. In her hand are three medium-sized boxes and my heart flutters some more.
“You got us gifts?” I swear Oakly, Aria, and I ask at the same time.
“Hand-me-downs. I hope you all don’t mind.”
“Those are the best,” I say.
Her smile widens and she waves us over. We watch her gently lay the boxes down and she pays each one a bit of attention. A pang hits my chest, and I swallow down the breath trying to flee me.
“I…Here, Oakly, we’ll start with yours,” she says, passing the first box over.
Oakly squeals like a child on their birthday until her eyes land on whatever’s in the box. Then she goes deathly silent.
“What is it? Let me see,” I say but all she does is gape at me.
