Page 55 of The Rowan
Feeling the awkwardness in the air, I grab Daire’s hand and pull him over. Vargas has known him for a long time. “Daire, of course.” I keep Daire’s left hand clasped in mine, sending Vargas a statement without saying a word.
Vargas shakes Daire’s hand. “Good to see you, Prince Daire.” His eyes cut to mine as he emphasizes Daire’s title.
I just smile and pull him over to Solandis. She gives him a warm smile, while her eyes stray to our joined hands. “Good to see you, Prince Daire,” she says, deliberately using his title.
Leaving Daire with them, I reach out and motion for Astor to step forward. He sighs, giving the impression that he’s impatient with these introductions. I lace my fingers with his and pull him forward.
“Solandis, Vargas, this is Astor, my lover,” I say cheerfully. “Or soon to be lover, I guess, and my friend and magic trainer.”
Astor stiffens and eyes Solandis and Vargas warily.
Solandis glances over at Valerian to gauge his reaction to my statement, but Valerian smiles back at her. She dips her chin to Astor and welcomes him into our family, before raising an eyebrow towards me.
Hmmm, I need to have a long talk with Solandis and Vargas,I muse.
Vargas smiles knowingly at Astor. “Arden’s drawn to the darkness and shadows. I can see why she is drawn to you.” He holds his hand out for Astor to shake.
Astor stares at him in shock, shakes his hand, then turns to me. I laugh and shrug. It’s true. My fascination started with Vargas himself. He could be a loving parent to me, then go out and brutally execute someone.
Fallon steps up, a single eyebrow raised with a question in the depths of his eyes.
“This is Prince Fallon.” I start my introduction with his proper title since we’re still getting to know each other. A glint of sadness enters his eyes, then vanishes, and I frown. I didn’t mean to imply he wasn’t important to me. “He’s my warrior friend, who’s working hard to find my assassins. Vargas, please share any information you have with him.”
Bemused, Fallon winks at me. He straightens his shoulders and holds his hand out for Vargas to shake. “Nice to meet you. Any information you can provide will help me hunt her assassins down.”
Vargas assesses him, then shakes his hand. “It will be nice to have help. Neither Callyx nor myself have made much progress in finding the source, but I can show you every lead we’ve uncovered and discarded.”
Solandis gives Fallon a radiant smile. “Thank you for helping Arden. She means everything to us.”
Glancing at my phone, I realize we’re running a few minutes behind. “Okay, we need to decide who’s going to Witchwood with me.” I look around at all the faces, almost everyone I care about most, with only Callyx missing. He’d called earlier and mentioned he would be busy with an important mission from Lucifer.
Theron places my hand in the crook of his arm. “We’re all going.”
I swallow the lump in my throat and smile. “Caro said I could bring my family.”
34
ARDEN
Witchwood draws my eyes like a magnet when I step out of the portal. The mansion is lit up with cars parked along the driveway. Looks like a lot of witches are here tonight. Is this the normal attendance whenever a new witch joins the coven, or did Caro send out the word for backup?
The scent of burnt cedar fills the air. I turn and assess Astor. “Are you going to be okay tonight? You and Daire don’t have to come.”
Daire turns when I mention his name. His jaw is tight, but he looks determined. “We’re going.”
Astor nods. “What he said.”
“In that case, I have a job for you,” I whisper to Astor. Leaning closer, I tell him what I need him to do. When I pull away, I raise my eyebrow, asking if he can do it.
“My pleasure, gorgeous,” he murmurs, pulling my hand up to place a kiss on it.
I smile and gesture towards the driveway. “Shall we?”
Henry is standing on the steps waiting for us to arrive. When he sees my entourage, he chuckles. “Good evening, Miss Arden. Everyone’s waiting for you in the Heritage Room. Please, let me announce you…and your family.” He sounds almost giddy with delight at the thought of announcing everyone.
We follow him to the Heritage Room, where he stops inside of the doorway. “Miss Arden, and her family.” His voice rings out in the vast room, announcing us as we enter.
Conversation halts, and all eyes turn towards us. Caro, along with her husband and Nico Perrone, stride angrily over to us. “What is the meaning of this? We don’t allow outsiders into our sacred ceremonies.” Her eyes dart nervously to Solandis and Vargas.
