‘I think by saving her lover boy, you really showed her she could trust you,’Yanric added.
I laughed at that.‘But not me saving her life two times?’
It was weird to get all the waves and bows of respect on the ride over to Ariyon’s, but it was definitely better than the glares I’d gotten when I first arrived here.
The second I pulled Ember up to the opening that led to Ariyon’s stables, Eden tore out of the back door of the house and ran toward me.
“You did it!” she cried, wearing a giant grin. “Well, technicallywedid because I’m the one who figured out how to switch the powers.”
I beamed at my bestie and reached for her hand, squeezing hard. “I literally could not have done it without you.”
Yanric squawked.
“And Yanric,” I added.
Ariyon stepped out of the house next and crossed the yard to pull Ember’s reins, leading her in the direction he wanted us togo, before reaching up and clutching my waist. As if I weighed nothing, he lifted me off the horse and planted me on my feet in front of him. Leaning forward, he pressed a kiss to my lips.
“Aww,” Eden gushed. “Lovers reunited.”
Ariyon grinned, slinging an arm around my shoulders casually and tucking me into his side as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
My heart fluttered wildly at the contact, something I’d ached for but was not yet used to.
Ayden and Hayes stepped out of the house and greeted us. Ayden’s gaze went to Ariyon’s arm around my shoulders, and he smiled. It was small but genuine, as if he was coming to terms with the fact that I was with the right brother, the one who could give me everything I needed. I hoped so. I really wanted Ayden to stay in my life, but I couldn’t deny that Ariyon was the one I was meant for.
“Bro, you got chiseled in jail,” Hayes said as he approached Ariyon, and we all laughed.
We moved the little party inside, where we played Nightling Chess, ate takeout food, and told stories until it was nearly curfew. Ariyon insisted I ride Ember until he could get me my own horse. So I took Eden home and then headed to mine after. Once I arrived back at Bane Manor, I sent word back with Yanric that I had reached home safely, as Ariyon had insisted I do.
‘He’d better give me a snack for all this flying,’Yanric said and then took off.
I smiled saying good night to my dad as I got ready for bed. A few minutes later, I was tucked under the covers and staring at the decorated bedroom ceiling with a grin on my face.
I got Ariyon back, and he said he loved me. Nothing could ruin this feeling.Nothing.
Except for the night full of tormenting dreams, during which I barely slept.
TWENTY-TWO
FALLON
I awoke groggy the next day, sitting up in bed and trying not to think of the horrible dreams. Blood, ghosts, me running after Ariyon in the forest only to see him making out with Blair against the trees.
I shook my head.What an awful night.I never had nightmares, or dreams for that matter. Usually, once my head hit the pillow, I was out, and when I woke up, I remembered nothing.
When I got downstairs to the large kitchen in Bane Manor, Yanric and my dad were sitting at the table eating, while our new cleaning lady wiped down the counters.
“Morning.” She smiled cheerfully at me. Her name was Daniella, and she was super sweet. It turned out that the fae hired by the queen to service Bane Manor were from the West Side and really needed the jobs. They were higher paying than anything they could get otherwise, so we’d kept them on. It was funny because my dad still cleaned up after himself, so Daniella would just follow behind him and wipe a perfectly clean counter down again. We all sort of had an understanding that we were keeping them employed as a favor, not because we couldn’t answer our own door or pick up our own mess. My father eveninsisted Daniella sit down and eat a hot lunch while she was here.
There was a knock at the door. I stood to get it but saw Benjamin, our new butler and a thirty-something father of two, rush to get it first. A moment later, he reentered the room with Ariyon.
“Prince Ariyon Madden is here for Fallon, sir.” He addressed my dad like he was a king or something, and it made me grin every time.
My dad chuckled. “Okay, thanks. Come on in, son.”
My heart nearly flipped over in my chest as I watched Ariyon approach, wearing a shirt that barely fit his more muscular form. Whatever had happened to him down there had done good things for his appearance. His blond hair was shoulder-length and pulled into a man-bun at the nape of his neck, and his arms were bigger than Ayden’s now.
“Hey.” Ariyon waved at me and then faced my father nervously. “I know it’s early, but I was hoping I could have breakfast with you guys and talk to you, sir?”
