We twirl around, and I scoff, tossing my hands up at Mara.
“V told you to wear a swimsuit,” I say.
“Yeah, because I own one of those. Plus, did you really expect me to say, ‘Hey, Gladian. Thayla wants me to go for a swim with her. I’ll be back later.’”
True.
“What did you tell him you were doing?” I ask.
“I told him to mind his business. Needless to say, that was a fucking fight. So thanks for that. What are we doing anyway?”
“We’re going for a swim. Everyone ready?”
“You’re serious?” she asks, and I roll my eyes.
They lock onto my men and their questioning gazes.
“I’ve already asked for permission.”
They each nod, catching on fully to what’s happening.
“Okay, V, we’re ready.”
He soars over to my shoulder, rubbing his feathers against my cheek as everyone crowds closer to us. I figured it’d be better for us to just starshoot rather than everyone stomp through the forest, asking me a million questions.
Gasps ring around me as V’s power releases us, and we come face to face with not only Verlet and Seismet, but their entire herd.
“Angel…” Riven mumbles, stepping up beside me.
I give him a small nod and smile as his gaze bounces between the Veilatara and me. One glance at my other three men, and they’ve definitely figured out what’s happening.
“Holy shit,” Havar mumbles, taking a step forward.
“You got the holy part right.” I wink, and his gaping mouth curves into a smile.
I stroll away from him with my men at my sides as we approach our Veilatara. My gaze meets as many as I can behind them.
“Thank you both for having us and arranging everything for me,”I say as I lean my forehead against Seismet’s.
“No thanks needed. You’re well past due for a power boost,”Seismet sasses.
“He’s actually telling the truth rather than being sarcastic for once,”Verlet says as I rest against him next.“More power would’ve worked wonders for everything you’ve all endured here lately.”
“Well, we’re about to rectify that now.”
I turn back to everyone and smile at their starstruck awe.
“Come on. The water’s amazing,” I say.
“Yeah, except for when other people decide to just appear out of it,” Riven scoffs, but that doesn’t stop him from diving right in.
Kyzen, Creed, and Amick take the built-in rocky steps while I slip off my shorts and shirt. Everyone else nervously gets down to their own swimsuits, while Mara looks around, stunned.
“Damn. I really should’ve got a suit, huh?” she asks.
“Told you. Too late now. You’ll just have to air dry.”
The water welcomes me in, pulling a deep sigh from my chest. Every muscle in my body relaxes, as does my power, and my fingers trail through the steam as I wade closer to my men.
