Flynn was a young elite God, responsible for safe travel. He was also a gossip so my time with them benefitted me in two ways. I sang Quen’s praises to them and answered their questions over our bond, and Flynn told me everything he knew about what was going on in lower Elysia. His overly friendly personality pulled people in and they trusted him without hesitation.
I made sure to be at the house the moment she stepped over the threshold, but she still called my name the moment she walked into her home as if she was terrified that I wouldn’t be there. When I appeared in front of her, she calmed down enough to carry on with her evening.
“When Mum and Dad brought you home, I was so excited to have a little sister to look after and protect,” Cassidy continued. “I didn’t realise you wouldn’t need any of that. You’ve been the one who’s looked after and protected me most of my life.
“You were the first person I told about Sophie and you said, and I quote, ‘Cass, if you don’t marry that girl, I will. Who else is going to put up with you the way she does?’”
I let out a bark of laughter, and Quen grinned, dropping her gaze to the table for a moment.
“Well, I did it.” Cass beamed, cheeks ruddy from all the champagne he’d thrown back. “Thank you for always being there and supporting me. You helped me with the ring, the planning, and the travel. You are the person I can depend on, no matter what.”
He raised his hand slowly and flashed her the numbers one, four, and three with his fingers. She returned the symbol to him and my brow furrowed. As Cass finished his speech, Quentin doodled the numbers on my palm as a few stray tears fell down her face. Leaning over, I swiped them away with my thumb.
“He has no clue what I am or what might happen,” she muttered as people raised their glasses. “But he has Sophie now. He’s happy.”
With the speeches over, Quentin vacated her seat. She’d stuck to my side, the cuff secured on her wrist, when she needed to, but the moment she could leave, she did. My frustration at the situation continued to grow. I’d hoped showing her my memories would help us, but she was still trying to work through this alone. Her stubbornness, which was usually amusing, grated on my nerves.
“Congratulations, Cassidy,” I said, shaking his hand as he came over to me.
“Thanks, Gray.” He grinned at me so openly I might have thought he liked me. “Gray, you make my sister happy and I have no idea how you plan to make it work, but please look after her. She called to say you two were having some issues.” The alcohol was truly coursing through his system.
“Nothing we won’t find our way through,” I replied. “You have my word as a God, Cassidy, that I will take care of her.”
He looked at me for a moment and only turned away when Sophie gently pulled his arm. She looked beautiful in her wedding dress and for two seconds I allowed myself to wonder what Quen might look like in something similar. Quentin head to toe in white, walking towards me as the greatest gift I could receive.
As quickly as the thought came, I pushed it away, feeling a faint blush on my cheeks.
Wife was another title she should add to her arsenal—if it cemented her to my side.
There was no doubt in my mind that I could win Quentin around. For all my talk of her having a choice, there was only one. Bond or not, that woman belonged to me, and deep inside, she knew it.
Even if she liked to push my buttons.
I shot up from my seat and strode across the floor to where she was currently being swung around by some man.
“My heart bleeds,” she said as he set her down. “You chose trauma surgery, so you deal with the hours it brings.”
Quen stepped back, her back bumping into my chest. A possessive arm snaked around her waist and pressed her tight against me.
“Care to introduce us?” I asked her.
“Gray, this is Wyatt—Cass’ old roommate from uni and one of his old friends.”
Wyatt frowned. “Less of the old, Scotty.”
She laughed and gave me her full attention, dark eyes pinning me to the spot. “Wyatt, this is my boyfriend, Grayson.”
Just like that, every small piece of jealousy that was coiling in my chest disappeared.
Boyfriend.
She said it so casually.
Wyatt extended a hand, but I nodded in response. No cuff, no contact with new mortals. I was off the leash in case anything arose at the wedding. Quentin was cautious that Hunter would make good on his threats to come after her family.
“You look after Scotty or you’ll have more than Cass to answer to,” Wyatt warned. He nodded to a few men and women milling at the bar before looking at Quen. “Save me a dance, beautiful.” He kissed her cheek and left.
“Ignore Wyatt,” Quen said.
