Erik arched an eyebrow. “I know Flynn told you.”
“In his defence,” I said, “he was tipsy.”
Quen looked at them. “You knew Gray was going to ask me tonight?”
“We know he’s asked you for weeks,” Larkin pointed out. “I still think you should have said no.”
“She knows a good thing when she sees it,” I pointed out.
Sloan beamed. “She knows she’ll have eternity with us.”
I watched as Quentin lit up, the smile on her face brightening her features. No stress. No worries.
“Can you produce your flower yet?” Mum asked curiously. Quen shook her head. “When you can, please give us one. I’d love to add it to the garden.”
Larkin answered Quen’s questioning look. “Eva likes to put all the family flowers in the garden so they can grow together.”
“It’s a little concerning,” Dad commented, eyeing Quentin. “It’s been a long time since Gods were disappearing at this rate. Hunter’s initiative isn’t working in the way he hoped.”
I gritted my teeth together. He had always been like this. Casually putting forward arguments in order to get information.
“It was never his initiative to begin with,” Larkin muttered.
I raised an eyebrow, surprised by her comment. “Do tell.”
She breathed in deeply. “Do you really think he had the thought of coming up with all that on his own?” Larkin’s gaze flicked to my parents. “No offence.”
“None taken,” Dad replied. “He was always quick to act. Less likely to think of a long-term plan if he can get a quicker solution.”
“No wonder you took such joy in telling me,” I grumbled, looking at Larkin.
“It did the soul good to know that my plan unsettled you so much. If you think about it, I’m the reason you have Quentin.”
“Hey!” Erik piped up. “I’m the matchmaker in this family.”
“Didn’t you try to keep them apart?” Larkin pointed out.
I cocked my head. “She’s right. You weren’t too keen on us being together.”
“I was trying to keep you alive,” he countered.
The conversation picked up around us, but Quen sank into herself, gazing at the floor.
Leaning in, I whispered to Quen, “Is everything okay?”
She had taken a lot on her shoulders in the lab and talking about the success of the project was bound to put a dip in her mood.
“May I be excused? I just need two seconds.” She didn’t wait for a reply.Quentin made the quickest exit I’d seen.
Erik looked alarmed. “Is she okay?”
I shook my head. Something wasn’t right. The pain radiated through our bond.
“I’m going to check on her,” I muttered, walking out of the room.
My intuition led me to the back garden. Quentin was sitting on the stone steps that led down into the grounds. I closed the door behind me and joined her quietly.
“Do you want to tell me what’s going on?” The ache resonated deeply, but I didn’t understand what had upset her.
