Page 112 of Veiled

I snort to myself, imagining all the creative stories Matt would be coming up with if he were at the table right now—some of which would have me throttling him, I’m sure.

Letting the made-up scenarios play through my mind to calm myself, I take care of my business, and by the time I’m washing my hands and checking my makeup is still in place, my heart rate is only slightly elevated.

I expect the ceremony to be in full swing when I get back, but the last people standing are just making their way to their seats. To my surprise, Josh and his Aunt and Uncle who raised him, have taken up seats at the table right next to ours.

“Cutting it a little close, aren’t you?” he teases when he stands to hug me.

“Me? I’ve been here for an hour,” I chide, “and anyway, I’m not the one walking the stage tonight, am I?”

“Oh, sweetie! I got so excited when Josh told me you would be here tonight!” Josh’s Aunt hugs me like we’re long-lost family, rather than the acquaintances we are from seeing each other at events since Josh and I became friends. Her smile is contagious, though, so I hug her back with all the enthusiasm she’s giving me. “It’s so good to see you, too, Mrs. Michaels!”

Mr. Michaels, Mike Michaels to be exact, steps in for a hug next, his far more reserved version of affection almost comical after his wife’s, as she gently scolds me for not calling her Susan.

I hadn’t noticed Aiden standing and moving behind me until Mr. Michaels reaches past me to shake his hand and introduce himself.

Mrs. Michaels gives my arm a little squeeze, and I hide my flinch, the tenderness from Mr. Mercer grabbing the same spot, albeit in a polar opposite manner, just minutes ago.

“He is CUTE! Where did you find him, and please tell me you’re keeping him.” She tries to whisper, but the music cuts off as the MC takes the stage, and her whisper over the loud crowd is now almost a shout. She blushes, but owns her statement, and I can’t help but giggle.

“Aiden Wells, ma’am. It’s nice to meet you,” he says, shaking her hand. “And she is more than stuck with me now,” he tells her with a wink that would have women fawning over him were we in any other company.

“If everyone would please take their seats,” the MC announces, and we do as we’re told with the promise of talking again after the ceremony.

Aiden leans over and kisses me, “Everything ok, Sweetheart? You looked a little flushed when you came back?”

Is there anything this damn man doesn’t notice? “I’m here with you, everything’s great,” I say with a quick peck to his cheek.

I can tell he’s trying to read me, and I don’t miss the quiet ‘hmm’ he makes, but he doesn’t push any further.

I already know Aiden and Antonio will be announced with false tracks tonight since they are both Ghost Walkers, but the pride showing on Antonio’s family’s faces when he is announced as Vanguard breaks my heart just a fraction. He will have to lie to them all for the rest of their lives, and with how close they all seem, it couldn’t have been an easy decision for him to make to break family tradition.

Mrs. Michaels cries as Josh walks to the stage under his spotlight. And as I smile to myself at her reaction, I realize that unlike the rest of the families here, this isn’t something she ever expected. Just a few weeks ago, Josh was fighting on the frontline, as he has been for the past two years, and now, he’s walking the stage of the most prestigious academy. Not only is he walking, but he is the only known person to have bonded a dragon outside of the academy since its inception.

When it’s his turn to talk, Josh thanks his family for their support, like everyone else before him has, and Mrs. Michaels' tears go from a steady stream to a waterfall.

We sip our wine and force out golf claps for every recruit's track announcement, and that’s when it hits me—six months from now, I’ll be sitting here for my own track night. And unless Aiden can make it back from wherever he’s stationed, I’ll be tagging along with Matt and whoever he brings along as his date for the night.

On second thought, maybe Sasha’s family will just adopt me.

“Aiden Wells,” the MC calls, and I shouldn’t be surprised when he gives me a kiss under the spotlight before starting past Josh’s table toward the stage.

My eyes snag on Josh’s Aunt’s, and my smile only grows as she smiles and fans herself back at me.

“Aiden Wells marked high in all four tracks and sits in the top five of every class he is still taking,” the MC continues, “His instructors describe him as focused, relentless, and unshakably composed under pressure. Tonight, he stands before us as one of the most versatile recruits of this year’s cohort.”

A soft ripple of impressed murmurs moves through the crowd, and I’m sure my surprise shows on my face. I knew he was one of the top of his class in Dragon Riding, but I haven’t seen or heard about his performances in any class other than Ghost Walking.

“Aiden Wells,” the MC says again, “As of this moment, you are a Dragon Rider!” Another round of clapping fills the room before his voice cuts back in, “Is there anyone you would like to recognize tonight?”

“Yes, thank you. I’d like to thank my parents, who unfortunately could not be here tonight, my friends, and my incredible fiancée.” I know he can’t see me with all of the stage lights, but his beaming smile is directed straight at me.

No. He. Did. Not.

I hear one of my friends choking on their drink, another laughing, and Mrs. Michaels lets out a shrill “Eeeee!”

All words have escaped me, though, and the grin on his face as he walks back says he already knows it.

“Aiden Wells,” I mutter, only loud enough he can hear me. “I am not your fiancée. See this finger?” I hold up my very bare ring finger, “No ring means I’m not your fiancée or your wife. I’m your girlfriend—or I was before you pulled that stunt,” I tease.