She was actually happy about the diversion. It gave her something else to think about instead of sitting around and moping for Luke. She hoped that since Vinia sent the king a message about the idol, he would call off his engagement. But, for all she knew, he had already married.
"We're going to have royalty staying here in our cabins?" Vinia's question jerked Sarah's attention back to the matter at hand.
"They don't expect to be treated as royalty, I can promise you," Wren answered. "They just need a place to get away for a bit."
"Hideout, you mean," corrected Drake.
"While they're being hunted by a crooked king," Colton added.
Joey held up her hands. "At least this time we know who all the players are."
Sarah grinned at her. When Joey had come into their lives, her boss had led a group of another species entirely. "She's right. At least we're all dragons, so it's a level playing field."
"Or war zone," Tyson murmured.
"We're forewarned, so we have time to be prepared." Vinia stood and started collecting the dinner dishes. "And we need to spruce up the cabins a little extra." She glanced at Wren. "They were supposed to be here already, but I'm guessing that you know they're delayed?"
Wren shrugged. "I haven't heard from them since before I got here. I spoke to Ezra about a week ago, and he said that things were deteriorating with Xandros, so they were packing to head this way. I made the reservations for them, so I just used the wrong date. I'm sorry."
Vinia waved her hand. "It's no problem, and it's probably a good thing anyhow. It filled the cabins so no one else got a reservation. From the sounds of it, we don't want any other outsiders here for what could turn out to be an interesting party."
"You all have been amazing, welcoming, and very understanding. I appreciate it." Wren excused herself. "If I hear anything, I'll let you know, but I'm not sure how Ezra would contact me."
"Have a good rest," Vinia told her warmly. "Watch the stars tonight. It's very soothing."
Sarah stood to stretch after Wren was gone. "If we're not always in the middle of some shit, we wouldn't be the Hales."
Colton snorted. "No shit. It's like we're suddenly a magnet for drama."
"Yeah, but this Xandros sounds a little more dangerous than what we've dealt with so far." Drake glanced at Joey. "Except maybe her wyverns."
"Hey," Joey mock protested. "I had no such thing. You make it sound like they were my pets."
Ellie, Colton's wife, grabbed some of the glasses off the table. "Makes me sad that I'm heading to New York to film. I'm going to miss all the fun, again." Her final season of the soap opera she starred in was just about to start filming.
Colton kissed her. "You don't mind. You're not the dragon kind of girl."
"I love my dragon." She kissed him again.
"Ewww," Drake protested. "Not at the table."
Vinia sat down and stared at Drake. "How will this affect your wedding?"
Joey sighed. "I was just thinking about that."
Their nuptials were scheduled in a month. They were getting married at the lake where they had first talked. Sarah shook her head. "It shouldn't bother that at all. Either nothing is going to happen, and we'll just end up with extra people at the wedding, or all hell is going to break loose, and it'll be over with by then."
"I hope so," Joey responded. "We wanted to be married before it risked interfering with your big event."
Sarah rubbed her belly, something that had become second nature to her. "You wouldn't have interfered, but I appreciate it."
Everyone headed out to double check the cabins while Sarah stayed with Vinia. "You doing okay, Ma? You've pretty quiet."
"I'm fine. Just thinking about home, something that I haven't allowed myself to do for a long time."
"Are you hoping you can go back?" Sarah's heart beat a little faster. If Vinia went back, could she stay behind so she didn't have to see Luke and his new wife?
"I don't know. I never wanted to, and I was fine with that, but now that the opportunity may present itself, I can't help but wonder. It's beautiful there, and I had so many friends and extended family that I left behind. I was angry with them for years for not defending us, but now I understand. Ardec wasn't going to listen to anyone anyhow." She stood up. "Come on. Let's get this kitchen cleaned up."
