It was only when Eleri and Hanna dragged Rune off toward the bonfire that she finally broke free of his orbit. She settled onto a log, warmth licking at her shins, the crackle of fire filling the air.
Kai dropped down beside her, offering a coffee. "I thought your boyfriend was history," he said, half-smiling.
Rune gave a soft laugh as she let the cup warm her hands. "Dorian is not my boyfriend."
"I don’t think he got the memo,” Kai grumbled under his breath, just loud enough for her to hear.
An uncomfortable moment ticked by.
“If he is not, then would you...maybe...want to grab coffee sometime? Just us?" asked Kai with a hopeful half-smile.
Before she could respond, a familiar low voice interrupted from behind them. "No."
They both turned at once. Dorian stood there, arms crossed, eyes glinting in the firelight.
Rune stiffened. "Excuse me?"
"That's for Rune to decide," Kai said, his tone trying for firm but sounding unsure.
"She's not going," Dorian said flatly.
Rune stood. "You don't get to decide that."
"Apparently I do," he countered. "Because I'm the only one here who seems to remember you're pregnant and exhausted and shouldn't be..."
"Oh, don't you dare pull that card again," she snapped.
"...drinking coffee."
Her voice shook with rage as she started to walk away "I'm leaving."
She stalked off down the drive, Dorian right behind her. "Rune, wait..."
"I'll take a taxi."
He caught her by the waist before she could move farther. "The hell you will."
"Let me go..."
Instead, he swept her up-furious and muttering curses at his parentage-and dumped her carefully into the passenger seat of the car which had magically appeared.
"Dorian!" she hissed, half in outrage, half disbelief.
He shut the door, quickly got in, and child locked it with a decisive click. "Seatbelt."
"No."
"I'm not starting the car until you do."
Rune glared. The silence stretched until she gave an angry huff and yanked the belt across her chest, clicking it into place with violent precision.
"Happy now?"
"Ecstatic."
They drove in silence. Rain had started to fall, turning the roads slick and the wipers rhythmically swiping against glass. Rune stared out at the streetlights while Dorian white-knuckled the wheel.
By the time they reached home, both were vibrating with barely contained emotion. She shoved the gate open and stormed up the path, but he caught her hand.
