“How would you have taken us home if Keith hadn’t come?” Sera asked him.
He smirked. “Keith’s truck. He was never going to drive home. He’d either take a car, or I’d take him.”
Sera used Dume’s shoulder to hoist herself into the backseat, and he grabbed her safety belt, buckling it for her.
Lauren bid them goodbye and stalked off, and Rory frowned.Where was she going?She forgot to ask.
The group pulled into the safe house and piled out of the truck. “Isn’t everything beautiful?” Rory asked her friends.
Dume chuckled. “I haven’t seen you this drunk in a while.” It was true.
“I missed the greenery of Erdikoa,” she admitted softly. “I mean, there are some plants in Vincula. We had a beautiful garden, but it was nothing like this.”
Keith slung his arm around her shoulders. “I want to hear all about it.”
“We’re not supposed to tell,” she whispered behind her hand. “Everyone is supposed to think it’s a horrible place, but it’s better than here in some ways.”
“Will you marry the king?” Kordie asked with a hint of intrigue. The sadness from earlier disappeared, thanks to the copious amounts of alcohol they consumed.
“Yes, and when I do, I’ll bring you to Vincula for a visit,” she proclaimed.
Sera’s eyes widened. “You can do that?”
“No.” Rory shrugged. “But I can try.”
All but Dume burst out laughing again. “All right, everyone in the house,” he grumbled, opening the door.
They all stumbled inside and threw themselves on the living room furniture. Rory heard the door lock automatically and the alarm set.Fancy.
The group sat around, talking and laughing until they all passed out. As Rory’s eyes drooped, she looked around from her spot on the couch. Keith was on the floor, curled around Kordie, Sera lay sideways in one of the oversized chairs, and Dume draped blankets over everyone before disappearing upstairs.
Seraphim, she hoped she would see them again.
33
After Sam endedthe call with Lauren, informing her where to meet him and Adila, he stepped into the courtyard of the Lux Palace, breathing in the night air. He halted at the sight of Anastasia rushing across the grass toward the door. Before entering, she glanced over her shoulder, and her eyes flared when they landed on Sam.
He could see her internal struggle with what to do, and without thinking, he closed the gap between them.
“Commander,” she said, bowing her head slightly, and her formal tone grated on him.
“Call me Sam, Anastasia,” he corrected her with what he hoped was a friendly smile.
Her nose wrinkled. “I will call you Sam if you call me Stassi. Only my parents call me Anastasia.”
He would do no such thing; her name was beautiful. “Why were you running? Are you late?” It was before dusk, and if the schedules were the same as the Umbra Palace, she was early.
Pursing her lips, she planted a hand on her hip. “Are you my keeper or something?”
“Yes,” he replied automatically and grimaced.Why did he say that?
She looked around and crept forward, lowering her voice. “Are you here to do more recon?”
“Not tonight,” he replied, attempting to keep the amusement off his face. “Have you heard anything of importance?”
She lightly shook her head. “No, but I work the night shift. Everyone is asleep, other than the staff.”
“I thank you for your willingness to help,” he told her, still in awe of her selflessness.
