Page 50 of Prince of Flowers
“Surprise!” Bruna and Namirah cried. “Happy Summoner’s Crest Acquisition Day, Locke!”
I beamed at the two of them, picking bits of colorful paper out of my hair, beyond flattered and touched. “There’s got to be a more graceful way to say that.”
Bruna shrugged. “Can you believe they don’t sell greeting cards that say that? Terrible.”
“You two are so sweet,” I said, accepting the plate Namirah pushed into my hands, a slice of chocolate cake on it. “How did you know we’d head here so soon?”
“Because I would’ve beaten you half to death if you hadn’t come here to tell us everything,” Namirah said, handing Sylvain his slice of cake. He took a bite, shutting his eyes with pleasure as he savored the chocolate. Damn it. Too adorable.
I laughed, perfectly aware that Namirah was capable of taking me down in a fight with both hands tied behind her back, beyond grateful I’d followed Sylvain’s advice. I took my first bite of cake, hummed delightedly against the fork. Ah, the simple pleasures of civilization.
“Sylvain here said that we should come and thank you for your potions.” I nudged him with my elbow. “So thank you, Bru. Seriously. You’re a lifesaver.”
I pecked her on the cheek, careful not to leave any crumbs. She rubbed her face bashfully, smiling. Sylvain, dense as the cake we were having, and just as sweet, kissed her on the other cheek. Bruna could have burst into flames.
“Gods, it was nothing and you know it,” she said. “But you’re so welcome. I’m glad they helped. You should thank Namirah, too.”
I quirked my head at her. “Um. Thank you? I think?”
Namirah tilted a flute of champagne past her lips and smiled. “Who do you think woke you up in time for that bush baby attack?”
My mouth fell open. The roar. That was Namirah in her lion form. I shook my head, smiling so hard I thought my face would split in half.
“You really do look out for me. Thank you.”
She pressed a kiss against my forehead. “Always, baby boy. I was in the area anyway. Bruna had some ingredients that needed gathering, so I ducked into the Oriel of Earth for a spell.”
My eyes almost widened, remembering the events at the pool. But I controlled myself. “Did you — did you happen to stick around the next morning?”
Namirah blinked at me. “No. Was there another interesting fight? Why do you ask?”
“N-no fight. And no reason, really.”
“Utmost respect for changelings,” Sylvain said, cutting into the conversation. “An incredible art form.”
He’d saved me with the subject change, holding his champagne flute up to Namirah. But wait. Where the hell was mine?
Namirah clinked their glasses together. “Cheers, darling. You’re not so bad yourself.”
“Me,” I said, reaching out with greedy hands. “Where’s my champagne?”
“Prosecco, actually,” Namirah said. “Just the Italian sort of bubbly. We love you, Locke, but not enough to grab the best stuff.”
“Don’t care. Gimme.”
“Only if you promise to tell us everything that happened,” Bruna said, handing me my flute. “And I do mean everything.”
I chugged from my glass, unable to hold back a smile as the bubbles spilled down my throat. Italian, French, I wasn’t picky. I was with my best girls, my two best friends in the world, and the man who had apparently charmed his way into our circle.
Namirah went to pick at some more snacks. Bruna looked for a second bottle of bubbly. Sylvain leaned over to me, whispering.
“Aren’t you glad we came?”
I smiled, trying not to look so forlorn. Of course I was glad we came.
I just wished I knew he was going to stay.
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