“Like a charm.” Which was kind of scary if our enemies got ahold of something like that.
“Good to know.”
I gave him another squeeze, then released him before catching Ker’s youngest sister, Zellya, when she flung herself at me.
I laughed. “Geez, girlie, you almost took me down.”
She giggled before releasing me and letting the next person come in for a hug. I glanced over Saranor’s head to see Roman getting the same treatment from our family and friends.
Remi and Bel came over next, then Jed’s sister, Katja, and her viramore, Lottie. Anton came over too, plus Dain and Avalanche, a few of their siblings, and I was surprised to see a handful of our friends who lived in Brinnswick.
Remi and Bel had a portal in their backyard that led to a portal in Brinnswick in Ailin and Sebastian’s yard, so it made travel back and forth very easy. It literally only took one step to travel halfway across the world. Which was honestly pretty badass. But I was still a little surprised they made the trip for this.
But I supposed Roman and I had missed a bunch of movie nights at the Ellwoods’ house.
Ailin came over and gave me a hug, saying, “Good to see you, kiddo.”
I grinned at that, hugging him back before he passed me off to Sebastian. Seb gave the best hugs—just as nice as my dad’s. He wrapped me up in a way that made me feel protected even though I didn’t need the protection. It was nice and comforting and another thing I never thought I’d have. A thing I didn’t know I wanted or needed until a few years ago.
Once everyone and their brother had hugged Roman and me, we were pulled into the fray and handed plates of food piled so high I couldn’t believe they didn’t topple over. After flying for so long and shifting twice, I was starving. Although, it could be argued that I was always hungry—Rome sure thought so anyway.
I ate my fill—I lost count of how many platefuls—before I made my way back to the couch I’d first sat on, plopped down, and sighed. A minute later, Roman plopped down beside me, offering me a grin.
“This was nice of them.”
I nodded in agreement.
“But you’re exhausted.”
“As if you’re not.”
He nodded. “True.”
“We could sneak away for a nap.”
“Where? Isn’t your condo like five floors down?”
“Yeah, and yours is three floors down, so you’re closer.”
My dad’s condo was on the top floor, below that was his office, under that was Rome’s condo. Then there was a community center floor that was supposed to be used by Dad’s den—but that only consisted of Dad, Rome, Tan, and me, and I supposed everyone else here today—and then my condo was under that floor. So Rome and I were two floors apart.
I waved him off. “I’m not leaving the party. That’d be rude.”
He shoulder-bumped me. “Yeah, I know. Maybe we could just nap right here.”
I snorted. “That sounds like a great idea.” I closed my eyes, but after a few seconds, Roman laughed. “What?” I didn’t open my eyes.
“I was only joking about napping right here.”
“I know. But I’m gonna do it anyway.”
He laughed. “Alright. I’ll protect you.”
That made me chuckle, but I really was overly exhausted. Rome said something else, but sleep was already pulling me under. I felt my body tilt to the side… toward Roman.
And I didn’t mind that one bit.
Chapter Fourteen
