The sparkles disappeared.
As one, we all leaned forward and cocked our heads.
“Is it a baby lioness under there?” I asked curiously. “She is a lot younger than Godric was.”
“I bet that’s it,” Finn muttered.
The black silk of Poppy’s dress continued to shift as the animal inside tried to get out. A tiny bump under all that material.
Rune whapped Finn on the back of his head. “Use your fucking nose. That’s not a lioness under there. What the fuck?”
Theron crept forward on silent feet, not making a sound as he cocked his head and crouched. With a gentle touch, he unraveled the dress from around the adorable animal, revealing it.
“Oh, my gosh,” I gushed. “She’s a—”
Alaric slapped his hand over my mouth.
I blinked and pried his hand off my face.
Message received. Keep my mouth shut.
Mina snickered across the room. “I knew it.”
“Hello, Poppy,” Theron whisperedquietly. He gently patted her head, dragging his fingers along her fur. “Ignore them. I know it’s hard because it’s all so loud right now, but try to do it. They’re talking out of their asses right now, anyway. You are absolutely beautiful, small and all.”
The tiny red fox peered up at him with piercing blue eyes as she sat on her haunches. Her bushy tail wagged at the compliment. She tipped her head to the side and licked his palm once.
Theron chuckled softly. “You’re welcome.”
Poppy lifted onto all four legs. She wobbled a second before she raced toward Cass. From her low angle, she couldn’t see his expression. Or the way he hadn’t moved since she transformed, his nostrils flaring in horror…and anger.
Poppy raced around his ankles, rubbing against his legs, silently thanking him for this special treat. Then she raced into the bathroom…
Alaric barely breathed, “Mirrors. There are mirrors in my bathroom. All over the place.”
Cass blinked.
“Omph!” Poppy cried out, skin smacking tiling instead of fur, and loud tumbling inside the bathroom. “What the hell, Cassander!”
Cass turned on his heel and stormed out of the bedroom. If looks could kill… My shoulders jerked when, in the next bedroom, items began crashing against walls. More items broke, loud and furious. The wall behind Alaric’s bed bowed out and started vibrating.
We all took a step back.
From inside the bathroom, Poppy griped, “Can someone at least bring me my dress and weapons? I’m kind of naked in here. I love you all, but you can’t see my tits.”
Megan cleared her throat, calling, “I got you covered. I’ve already seen most of your goods, anyway.”
A pause. “How the hell have you seen my goods?”
“I’ll explain later,” Megan grumbled, keeping an eye on the expanding and deflating wall. She bent and grabbed Poppy’s stuff from the floor, trying to grip it all in her arms. “Jesus, how many knives did you have on you?”
“Big dress. Lots of room.” Poppy huffed. “Um, it’s cold in here. Hurry up, please.”
The wall snapped back into place.
Theron heaved a sigh of relief.
But…he wasn’t through yet.
