Nikau and the men and women with him bowed their heads to us, turning on their heels to head after him.
When we reached the seventh floor, I was glad that Evie forced me not to do anything else today. A certain ache was taking hold of my muscles, and I knew that even with Tharion’s blood, my body had withstood a lot since yesterday. Now I just wanted to lay down, capture Evie in my arms, and pass out for the rest of the afternoon. Fatigue was falling over me.
Our Elevated Warriors’ steps faltered all of the sudden, and they stood aside to show Kingston and Willow walking out of her room… hands intertwined. A few shocked glances were exchanged by Harper, Quinn, Aaron, Islay, and the others, while a slow but brilliant grin captured Evanna and me.
That was the best walk of shame I ever saw.
“In case you were wondering…” Willow began when they stopped before us, slightly biting her lower lip while her eyes lifted to the chief.
“Lady Willow and I have paired,” Kingston finished for her, raising her hand to his lips.
“Yes!!” I fist-pumped the air, causing the others to chuckle while Evie walked forwards and pulled her best friend in for a hug.
“Congratulations, Chief,” Asher offered, pulling him in too for a hug.
I fully expected him to growl and step away, but I was left speechless when the most incredible grin illuminated Kingston’s entire face, even his honey eyes, and he welcomed the embrace. It was like a different man stood before us.
Yeah, he was a different man.
Stepping away from Asher, the chief came to me and yanked me forwards, giving me a bear hug that lifted me off the floor and everything. Laughing, I hugged him back, feeling secretly grateful when he put me down again.
“Congratulations, you both deserve to be happy,” I offered honestly, and he nodded, his smile still blinding me.
“Thank you, Son.”
I wasn’t going to lie; something kind of lodged in my throat when he called me that, the same emotion reflecting in his eyes, but we both cleared our throats, turning to face the others while everybody and their mothers congratulated Willow.
“Wait. You mean to tell me that you chose the chief when I, this delicious piece of a man, was right here?” Harrison complained, making some chuckle and others rolled their eyes. “First, the Princess, then Fletcher, and now Willow? You all know I’m available, right? Like, I’m right here!”
Laughter escaped me then, and I wrapped an arm around his shoulders. “I’m sorry. I would have chosen you, but I mean…” I gestured to Evie from head to toe, knowing that was enough explanation.
Evanna’s gaze narrowed on me even as her lips twitched in amusement. The girls chuckled.
“I understand, Brother,” Harrison added with a defeated sigh. “I would have done the same.”
“Hey, I would have chosen the princess too. Women are just perfect.” Quinn’s eyes widened, realizing she’d actually said that out loud, and we all lost it. “I’m so sorry, Princess.”
“No need.” Evie chuckled, but her cheeks turned cherry red.
“Don’t be shy. You are absolutely right. Womenareperfect.” Harrison winked.
Willow cleared her throat then, calling our attention. “Anyway. What did we miss?”
Instantly deflating, Imogen, Evie, Asher, and I exchanged a glance. So, fucking much.
“We need to talk.” I nodded to Kingston, Asher, and Imogen, towards my quarters.
“Do we follow?” Harvey asked. “Red Wing said we need to be your shadow.”
“We don’t need to be in the meetings,” Quinn answered for me, shaking her head.
“No. Right now, everything is need-to-know,” Elijah confirmed, using the human term I’d shared with them.
“We’ll convene when I return,” the chief told Harper, his new commander, and she nodded, taking a step back.
“Thank you for understanding,” Evanna offered.
Thankfully, they’d all been respectful and accepting about our secrecy, not taking it personally at all.
