I laugh at her melodrama. “For the last time, you’re going to keep looking gorgeous.”
“Thanks,” she sighs. “Logically, I know I’ll be fine, butgods,I don’t know how my vanity is going to survive this pregnancy. Not to mention, my dignity. Did you know some women shitthemselves when they give birth?They shit themselves,May. Ugh! My quintet will never look at me the same again.”
“The baby will probably be cute,” I try, not used to this whole optimistic shtick.
“Probably?”Kenzie practically shrieks, gesturing wildly at her face to make her point.
“Definitely,” I amend quickly. “The cutest baby ever.”
Did she just yell at you?Baelfire growls through the bond.I heard a raised voice.
Maybe you should break the door down again,Silas deadpans.
Do it,Everett says, taking that suggestion completely seriously.
Oh my fucking gods.
You four need a hobby.
Ihavea hobby, Crypt sighs wistfully.But I can’t enjoy it properly with those damned dreamcatchers up.
Stalking doesn’t count as a hobby,Everett grouches.
Our keeper would disagree. Wouldn’t you, darling?
All right. That’s it.
I’m not letting my quintet pout around in a hallway,I tell them firmly through the bond.Get your sexy asses dressed, go to the cultist celebration, and wait for me there. Kenzie and I are running late, anyway.
To say they’re uhappy with this arrangement is an understatement, but I block out their protests so I can help Kenzie pick out a pair of shoes. Soon, she’s dressed in the glittery, strappy, short dress with multiple cutouts to show off her back, stomach, and her quintet emblems on one tricep.
When she does a twirl, I smile. “You’re the most inappropriately stunning and stunningly inappropriate pregnant lioness shifter I’ve ever seen.”
She claps and unzips two more dress bags. “Okay! So, I had this little black number. Very elegant, but also very safe. Then there’s this red one. I think you’d look stunning in red, but it is a little bit long…”
She continues chatting about the dresses, but I’m struck with an abrupt pang of missing my guys already, now that they’re not all nagging me. Realizing that I have an entire party to get through before I can be alone with my guys again…
Gut me with a fucking spoon.
Being around people I don’t know is exhausting. Still, I’m sure the bizarrely worshipful cultists will be fine with me showing up briefly. We can just be there for a little bit. Or better yet, if I could find an excuse to leave the celebration early…
I glance at the other unopened bags.
“Do you have something that will drive my quintet insane?”
Kenzie beams. “I love the way your sadistic little mind works, monk. I did bring something a bit more scandalous that could fit you.”
She unzips another bag and holds up the gown. “I wasn’t sure about it, since I know you usually avoid anything too low-cut.”
I shake my head, studying it. “It’s perfect.”
Several minutes later, once makeup has been brushed on, we both stand in front of the bathroom mirror for a final check.
I take in her reflection. “Someone should warn your quintet. You look dangerously good.”
“Thank you,” she gushes. “You look like some divine, otherworldly being who’s about to lure her quintet to bed and devour their souls.”
Aww.
