I look to Gage and peg him with my gaze. I dare him not to invite me. Go ahead, Gage. Let’s see how inflated your balls have become.
“Skyla, Logan, of course, you’re invited.” He glares at me as if maybe I weren’t. “You’ll bring the boys like we discussed. Sage will be there.”
A small thrill rides through me at the thought of seeing my daughter, but considering the circumstances, considering how much she has come to loathe me, I’m guessing it won’t be such a happy reunion.
Logan wraps his arm around my waist and I feel his love coursing through me as sure as I feel Marshall’s vibratronics when he touches me.
“We will be there.” Logan presses a light kiss to my cheek. “In fact, we’re glad you’re here. The more, the merrier.”
I blink to life, completely forgetting the real reason we stopped by.
“That’s right.” I clear my throat. “Logan and I have an announcement to make.”
Mom shuffles over and Mia gives a shrill whistle until the room is called to attention.
“Skyla has something to say!” Bree riots it out before bouncing in front of me. “Go ahead, girl. Tell us whatever the hell you want. You’ve got the floor.”
Chloe rumbles with a laugh. “Would you like to sit on the throne, Skyla? A fearless leader such as yourself deserves the most prominent seat in the house.” She pretends to wince. “Oh, that’s right, all of your people have abandoned you. But with Logan Oliver by your side, what more could you possibly ask for?”
I choose to ignore the Wicked Witch of West and take a breath as I survey all of our loved ones in the room. It’s true. My people are bleeding from the Factions as if it were a sieve. Gage has them convinced staying with me is a death sentence—or worse yet, a one-way ticket to Raven’s Eye.
“Logan and I are having a baby!” I shout it loud and proud for everyone in the room to hear, and it comes out joyous and celebratory because despite the negative energy in the room that’s exactly how I’m feeling.
“What?” Tad squawks, but the rest of the room breaks out into congratulatory cheers.
“Skyla!” My mother lingers over me and breaks out into an all-out sob. “Oh, I’m so happy for you. Oh, the baby feet we’ll get to kiss! I can’t wait to eat those precious tiny toes. I’m so very thankful. I’ve needed this.” She pulls back—her face already soaked with tears. “You have no idea how badly I need this.”
A laugh bubbles out of me. “Well, in that case, congratulations to you as well. And I agree, this was much needed.”
Tad gags. “Like hell it was!”
Before I can respond, Laken is on me, only to be knocked away by Bree.
“Bree, she’s having a baby.” I reprimand her wrestler-like move.
“So are you, and you’re the only person I care about. I’m so happy for you guys.” She pulls Logan into a shared embrace. “And damn it all to hell, I need to catch up.Drake!” she barks as she stalks off.
Tad convulses as if he were just electrocuted. “Don’t you dare!”
Laken is on me once again, and this time I secure her to me like a life raft. Her hand swims up my sleeve and she clutches onto my bare skin.
“Congratulations!”I have something to tell you. I can’t let on.“We get to do this together.” She pats her tummy with her other hand.Wes thinks he has the key to cover the markers. It’s done, Skyla. It will be announced tomorrow.I was forbidden to tell you.
“I can’t believe it.” I force myself to laugh, but only because I want to cry. It seems at every turn I am usurped, bested, and shown the celestial door. “We need to shop. I’ve had intense cravings for Chinese food.”
“We’ll do lunch. Maybe tomorrow after the coronation? Or sometime after that?” She shrugs.
“If you’re available, that would be wonderful.”
Coop comes up and wraps an arm around Laken’s shoulders and she doesn’t flinch. In fact, she presses her body against his and they look every bit like a couple again.
“I won’t be staying long tomorrow.” She wrinkles her nose. “Gage is holding a strategy meeting after the reception.”
“You know what they say”—I look to Gage and Chloe as they close in on our circle—“there’s no rest for the wicked.”
Chloe lifts a dark smile. “We’re not wicked, Skyla. We are wise.”
Laken scoffs as if she’s fighting the urge to deck her. “For a Celestra, you sure don’t bear allegiance to your people. Gage and Wesley plan on eradicating them.”
