Page 157 of Gift from the Source
Despite their act of being miserable, they both have bright glows surrounding them. Those Vito brothers can pretend all they want they don’t need their momma, but that’s a lie.
Emotion clogs my throat on the next turn. Tillman is doing some awkward roundabout with Ry and Oakly. He gently runs his finger over her crown and she quickly wipes a tear from her eye. The small smile never falters from his face, so whatever his words are, they’re no doubt sweet and approving.
As the music starts to slow, all my men begin making their way to me and I lean up from Gaster.
“Thank you for being a part of this night,” I say.
“I’ll always be here for you, Willow. Always,” he swears as he gives me a kiss on the top of my head.
He guides me in between my awaiting men, and I sigh in relief to be back in their embraces. They surround me silently and slowly start rocking back and forth with the beat of the music. None of us speak, just absorb our moment together.
Their gentle touches and the caress of their bonds have my mind clearing and eyes closing.
“Excuse me, I do hate to interrupt this moment.”
I flinch at the voice.
My eyes fly open wide and collide with Tillman’s. He recognizes it as well.
“That’s the voicefrom Layton’s mind.”
“Dillon or Pran were one of the men who met with the Summum-Master,”I say.
Time to put a face to the voice.
Nineteen
Willow
Tillman gives me an understanding nod, then steps to the side.
Cas’s shadows squeeze around my wrist like he’s afraid I’m about to be snatched away. Draken and Corentin move in so closely, I mold to their bodies. Tillman stands enough in front of me that he could cover my whole body but leaves enough room that I see Pran Gale clearly.
“Counselman Pran. I don’t believe any of us have had the opportunity to be formally introduced to you. You’re a man of few words,” Corentin says.
“I am. As you all are men of few appearances,” he says, tilting his head down. When he looks back up, his calculating eyes lock on mine. “I apologize that this is my formal introduction. I’ve come to ask you, Lady Vito, if I may have a dance?”
The hesitation in my men skirts across my chest, but I’ve thought about how we’d get one of them alone. I contemplated who I’d dance with if asked when Aurora warned me. Him or his brother were the only two I’d consider.
“This is our shot.”
“You may,” I say, curtsying to him properly.
Tillman takes my hand and walks me the few steps toward Pran. They both bow to each other respectfully, then Tillman turns back to me.
With a kiss to my forehead, his voice sounds in my mind,“Leave your mind open for us to hear what’s going on.”
I nod against his lips.
“Thank you for this honor,” Pran says as I place my hand in his.
“Of course,” I say awkwardly.
We descend into a very uncomfortable silence. His hesitation, nervousness, and apprehension are written all over him and his stiff movements. I don’t know what to do to break the ice.
So I say the first thing that comes to mind.
“The spring is pretty nice outside.”
