“Be prepared to party all night,” Ahren adds. “When they say there’s a lot going on, it means A LOT.”
“Well, there’s a lot to celebrate,” Skyla says, slapping his back before glancing over at Tatum. “Right, Tatum?”
I look at Tatum, who raises an eyebrow, but aside from that says nothing more.
“Show everyone to their rooms, please,” Aunty Delsanra says to a few of the staff members with a smile. “And your clothes for tonight are already in your rooms. There are a few options; choose whatever you like,” she adds in our direction.
“I chose them,” Mama says with a small smirk.
“Of course you did,” Aunty Kiara smiles. “You always were the best at this.”
“Of course,” Mama says.
Will Jaddati at least be coming?I ask her.
“She will, but later, when the event starts. Ahren will bring her.”
I nod as I find Sienna in the crowd, and then glance at Allie.
Meaning we will only have the time we get ready to catch up with one another. Sienna tilts her head subtly towards the door, and we both get the message.
I slide past Uncle, who cups my cheek as I pass, offering me a gentle smile before smiling at Allie, who is right behind me.
As we step inside, I feel someone’s eyes on me, and I knowexactly who they belong to, but I’m not about to give him any attention. Not after he stood me up.
Asshole.
We remain quiet as we follow Sienna towards one of the winding staircases. We’re three steps up when Sienna stops, letting us both fall in step beside her before she puts her arms around our waists.
“We have so much to catch up on!” she whispers excitedly. “I need to know everything.”
“Yeah, I second that,” Allie says, her face emotionless, but I swear I saw a hint of a smile.
Me three,I write. Sienna looks at me, guilt in her eyes, and I shake my head.Don’t give me that look.
She closes her eyes and nods. “I’ll try,” she whispers.
Oh boy, time to tell them about Endora… No secrets, which has to be something we all have to work on.
“Wait, wait, guys, there’s something I’ve got to show you,” Sienna whispers, as she turns down the hall and heads towards Tatum’s room instead.
“Really, Sienna, couldn’t wait?” Tatum’s voice comes from behind us.
I raise an eyebrow as Allie looks at him suspiciously. “I knew there was something off with him.”
“There’s nothing off about me,” he says pointedly before he bizarrely knocks lightly on his bedroom door, then opens it.Instantly, I’m hit with a strong feminine perfume, one Tatum would never wear.
“Girls, I want you to meet my mate, Scheherazade,” Tatum says as we step into the lounge area of his room.
My eyes widen as I look around, only to see a woman step through the archway that leads from the bedroom.
She’s tall, maybe around Skyla’s height, slim, with thick, black hair that reaches her waist. Large grey eyes, plump lips and a delicate nose. She looks Middle Eastern, but I’m not sure.
“Whoa…” Allie says as she looks at Tatum and then at Scheherazade.
“Hi, I’m Scheherazade. You can call me Sher, or Sherri. Tatum here has been keeping me a secret. He wanted to surprise you later,” she says with a small smile. She has an accent, she’s definitely not British, maybe Canadian. I’m not sure. “It’s a pleasure to finally get to meet you both. I’ve heard a lot about all three of you.”
Tatum smiles slightly as he looks at his mate, and I simply blink, still trying to digest the news.
