I look over to where her brother is. Sure enough, several of the demons who were hanging around her have made their way over to Archie. But he doesn't seem to be paying them any attention because his gaze is fixed on me.
I take a shaky breath, hoping that Sophia doesn't notice my reaction.
"So, who were you talking to before I got back?" Sophia asks, turning back to me.
"That was Drake," I respond.
She raises an eyebrow. "A dragon called Drake?"
"His sister is called Treasure, and their baby brother is called Blaze. Their parents were going for a theme." I feel for them, though.
Sophia grimaces. "I don't envy them."
"Me neither."
"So, how do you know him? You seemed friendly." There's no denying the curiosity in her voice.
"From a job I had a few years ago. He invited us to a party he's throwing with his flatmates on Friday."
"Oh, I never say no to a good party," she says. "Maybe I should pick your outfit again, you look great."
"Thank you." I smooth down the dark brown dress. I love how soft the fabric is, and the colour looks great with the brown of my wings.
"But, more important things. Come meet my brother." She gestures for me to follow her over to the other demon, and I swallow hard. Now I need to manage the situation without making it weird that I've already met him.
Archie straightens as we approach, smiling with easy charm that comes from confidence. It's not unearned. He cuts a powerful figure, and the white of his shirt only makes the dark purple of his skin stand out more.
"This is my annoying twin brother," Sophia says to me.
He laughs. "I'm the annoying one?"
"Yes," she responds immediately.
"I think we'll let Lottie be the judge of that," he responds, looking over at me. His gaze lingers a little longer than it should, making the voice within me that whispered mate get stronger.
Sophia looks between us. "You've met."
He chuckles. "At the library earlier."
"What were you doing at the library?" she asks her brother.
"Threatening to set fire to the books," he responds with a grin in my direction.
I laugh softly at the memory.
"Archie!"
"The books were fine." He lifts a glass to his lips with his tail, and I watch in awe as he does it. I've never had a tail, so seeing the twin royals use theirs is an interesting experience. He seems to catch me watching and switches the glass to his hand so he can wave at me with his tail, the conical point wiggling a little like fingers would.
A blush rises to my cheeks. "Sorry," I mumble.
"I told you, I don't mind you looking at my tail," Archie says.
"I shouldn't stare."
He shrugs. "It's not a big deal. I don't mind you looking, but other people might."
I nod quickly, knowing he's right, and trying not to watch his tail for any longer than I should.
