“Glad to hear it. I received word from Slade. He and Everest will be arriving within the hour. I’ll have breakfast prepared. We’ll have it in the east garden room.”

  “Good. Thanks, Selma. We’re just on our way to get cleaned up.” Tank readjusted his grip on me and walked for the stairs. “Someone likes to get hopelessly covered in dirt.”

  I waved to Selma as she continued to watch us from the bottom of the stairs, smiling. I meant to ask if she’d seen Peter this morning, but I forgot. I’d check on him later. At my bedroom door, Tank set me back on my feet, and I tried to hand him back his shirt.

  “Keep it. You wear it more than I do anyway.”

  “I didn’t exactly pack for an extended trip. And most of what I have our dresses for the gathering, not jeans and normal shirts.”

  “Isn’t there a town nearby?”

  “Couple miles away. Why?”

  “Think we’re going shopping today. Or you and Everest will. Slade and I will tag along for the food.” He winked then strode to his door and disappeared inside to get cleaned up.

  I clutched his shirt to myself and went to take a nice hot shower to scrub as much dirt as I could from my face and under my nails. I was a mess and laughed at my reflection then hopped in the shower. When I was finished, I pulled my hair back in a black hair clip, pulled on my jeans. I grabbed my last clean t-shirt then after a second, put Tank’s red and grey flannel back on. I had to roll the sleeves and tuck in the front, but it worked.

  Lucius would come and collect my dirty clothes again today, but I was sure the poor man was tired of doing my laundry every day. Shopping sounded like a great plan. When I walked out of my bedroom Tank was there leaning back against the opposite wall. His brow went up as I stepped out, his lips turning up in a wolfish grin.

  “Nice shirt.”

  “Thanks. You know these flannels are really growing on me. Think I know why you wear them all the time.” We reached for each other and held hands all the way back to the main floor. We walked to the front of the castle then out on the steps. I wondered how Slade and Everest were planning on getting here. She could do as I did and have Slade fly her.

  A bright flash of white appeared, then it stretched wider into a portal.

  I frowned. Worried, I squeezed Tank’s hand. I thought maybe was overreacting, but a quick glance at his face told me he sensed it too.

  Something must be wrong if they’d traveled by portal.

  The moment Everest and Slade stepped through, my eyes shot to Everest’s face, then I was at her side, as she hugged me hard.

  “Everest?” I glanced to Slade for answers. He smiled, but it was strained.

  Slade pulled Tank into a brotherly hug.

  “Hey, what’s going on?” I asked Everest. “The baby?” She still looked like she had a watermelon in her stomach, so she was clearly still pregnant, but the way her hands went there to hold it protectively indicated it was definitely about the baby. “Come on, Selma has breakfast set out. We can talk there.”

  “I’m sorry to drop in on you like this.” Everest held my hand as we walked inside.

  Tank and Slade were right behind us, talking too quietly to be overheard.

  “You two are always welcome. You know that.”

  “I know, but I wanted you two to have your time. Are you wearing Tank’s shirt?” She tugged on my sleeve. “You are. Looks like a few weeks away was a good idea.”

  “Better than a good idea. Seems we have a lot to catch up on.”

  She rested her head against my shoulder.

  My worry rose another few notches.

  “You have no idea.”

  “Whatever it is, we’ll get through it.”

  She nodded but said nothing else as I led her into the castle.

  Selma greeted them and waved us toward the east garden room.

  The walls and ceiling were all glass. Fountains bubbled in the corners. A table and chairs sat in the center of all the colorful flowers and trees with their vibrant red and orange leaves.

  I helped Everest to a chair then gave Slade a quick hug. He held Everest’s hand, crouching beside her, asking if she was okay.

  “Alright, that’s it. What’s going on?” I asked, fear making me agitated. “Everest?”

  She was running her hands over her large belly as tears shimmered in her eyes. “We—uh, had a scare that’s all.”

  “What?” I gasped. “What happened?”

  She seemed unable to say, so Slade explained.

  “Everest was walking through town. And then she was on the ground. She just passed out, but when we got her up… there was blood. We spent a couple of days at the hospital, just in case…” He became choked up.

  Everest grabbed his hand.

  Slade’s smile was weak. “She’s on bedrest until the baby comes. Mahlia contacted Selma. Both of them thought being here would help ease her stress.”

  I couldn’t help it. I laughed.

  Everest shot me a weird look.

  I gave her a sheepish look. “Sorry, if you were here a couple of weeks ago, this would not have found this to be the most stress-free environment.” I hugged her. “Why didn’t you call me?”

  “Didn’t want you to worry.”

  “Right. I’m your best friend. Remember? Supposed to worry. But if you’re here, then you’re in good hands. Selma is one of the best witches for healing. And she makes a damned good midwife, from what I hear.”

  “That’s what Mom said. I’m sorry, I feel like we’ve just walked in and burst whatever happy bubble you two were in.”

  “Don’t even think it,” Tank said, beating me to it. “We’re here for you guys. No matter what.”

  “Good. That’s good.” Everest wiped at her eyes and sighed. “So, enough of the sad news, how about you two catch us up on what’s been going on here. And don’t you say nothing.”

  I exchanged a smile with Tank, then we all sat down to breakfast. As we told them about the week of the gathering, the murders, and Peter being possessed, the fear disappeared from Everest’s face. Soon she and Slade were laughing.

  Everest asked about me and Tank like I knew she would.

  I shrugged. “Not sure I should give you all the details.”

  She chucked a roll at me.

  I wasn’t sure what I’d expected from a highly hormonal pregnant dragon. I promised I’d share the juicy details later.

  Tank rolled his eyes with a grunt.

  It was good to hear Everest laugh, but I still worried about her. Her pregnancy had been so easy until this point. I’d hate for them to lose their first baby.

  When breakfast was over, she looked exhausted, and Slade suggested she get settled in for a nap. I waited for her to protest, but she gave in without so much as an annoyed look. This meant one thing. Everest was definitely worried.

  “I’ll get her to her room,” I assured Slade. “You and Tank can talk.”

  Everest nodded her agreement, and Slade plopped back down in his chair. I took her arm and wrapped it around mine. We left the guys in the garden room and took a nice, leisurely stroll through the mansion. What with Everest’s condition, I assumed Selma put her and Slade’s room on the main floor.

  Mary caught up to us said the nearby guestroom was set up.

  “You sure you’re not mad at me?” Everest asked as we neared the room.

  “Yes, I’m sure. You and this baby are damned important.”

  I opened the bedroom door for her.

  Her jaw dropped as she stepped inside.

  “Like it?”

  “This is incredible. Now I know why you haven’t left. Well, aside from being here with Tank.”

  “He’s a great dragon. Got me through a lot these last couple weeks.”

  “You sure you’re holding up? Murders! Why didn’t you reach out? Call me?” she asked sharply as I helped her get to the bed.

  “Really? I wasn’t about to stress you out.”

  “Good point.” She shook her head sadly. “I’m so sorry about your friends.”

  “Yeah, me too. But we’ll get through it.” I glanced toward the door, to make sure Slade and Tank hadn’t come to check on us, then I continued. “I do have something else planned.”

  “For what?”

  “Did you know Tank has a sister?”

  Everest shook her head. “I didn’t know he had any siblings. All he ever told me was his family died.”

  “They did. All except his sister. She’s still alive. Somewhere. I’m going to help him find her. The tracking potion I’m going to use is almost finished.”

  Everest grinned. “I was wondering why he seemed so much happier, aside from being with you, I mean. That dark cloud always hovering over him is gone. What did you do?”

  “I helped him get over his losses. That’s all.”

  “That’s all,” she repeated with a sigh. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done for him?”

  “A bit.”

  “Give yourself some credit, Amelie,” she urged. “Hell, give yourself a ton of credit. You’re a damned good witch and a good person. I’m glad you two are together. Now I can stop worrying about you two.”

  “Me? Why were you worried about me?”

  She laughed. “You’re kidding, right? You and Jared. I knew it wasn’t going to work after the first couple of months.”

  “Why didn’t you say anything?” I plopped down on the bed beside her, nudging her arm.

  “Not my place to poke around in other people’s relationships.”

  “Yeah, okay, sure it’s not.”

  It was nice to have some girl time, but since she was on bedrest, our fun shopping trip was going to have to wait.

  I told her about my plan, and she pouted. I told her not to worry, that I’d figure something out. If she was going to be stuck on bedrest, I’d make it as enjoyable as possible until I cast the tracking spell for Tank’s sister.

  We sat and talked and laughed about typical things. Slade and Tank, the baby, her family. My family.

  I would eventually have to text my parents and let them know that I was no longer bringing Jared around for the holidays. I wondered what Dad would make of Tank. They liked dragons and had no issues with Shadowguards at all. My dad was more on the scholarly side. Whereas Tank was, well, Tank. The holidays were going to be fun, indeed.

  Everest’s eyes started to close. I slipped from the bed and told her I’d come get her for lunch. She nodded but was already half asleep. I pulled the door partway closed behind me and turned to find Slade.

  “She okay?”

  “Just tired. You sure you’re okay?”

  “No,” he admitted with a sad laugh. “As long as we get through this, I’ll be fine.”

  “She’s strong. And they’ll be well looked after here.” I squeezed his arm. “Where’s Tank?”

  “Said something about checking in on Peter for you.”

  I’d been trying to look in on Peter every day. I was glad Tank was helping me out. I thanked Slade then went to find Tank. I glanced back at the end of the corridor and noticed Slade watching Everest from the door, his forehead crinkled with worry. Everest being here for the remainder of her pregnancy was a good thing. Selma would not let anything happen to her or the baby. Neither would I.

  At the opposite end of the castle, I heard Tank’s deep voice, which was followed by Peter’s. Their laughter caught me off-guard, and I poked my head in the doorway of one of our many libraries.

  They were seated by the hearth, a crackling fire burning before them, both smiling. I wasn’t sure what they’d talked about, but seeing Peter in a good mood was a plus.

  Victor approached, stopping beside me.

  “He’s going to be okay,” he assured me. “Tank’s helping a lot.”

  “Good to know.”

  “Peter approves of him, too,” he added with a smile. “He thought you might want to know that. He was jealous before, of you and Jared, then you and Tank. After Tank saved his life, he said it’d be pathetic of him to keep thinking he belonged with you instead.”

  Having my friends’ approval wasn’t necessary for me to stay with Tank, but it was a bonus to know they liked him. It made get-togethers easier.

  Tank turned my way. I waved for him to come with me and smiled at Peter when he spotted me. His color had returned these last few days.

  “How’s Everest?” Tank asked as Victor took his place by the fire.

  “Sleeping, but bedrest means no shopping trip… so I had another idea.”

  “Uh, huh,” he grumbled. “And why do I feel like I might not like this idea?”

  “You will. You’re the one that suggested it earlier anyway. We need to go shopping and bring the fun to Everest since she can’t go out.”

  “And that means what exactly?”

  Taking his hand and pulling him along with me, I smiled wider. “You’ll see.”

  Twelve

  Tank

  “No.”

  Amelie frowned at me in the mirror. “No?”

  “No. Try another one.”

  “You know I’m trying to get a bit of everything so Everest can be the one who says no.”

  I grimaced at the bright orange top Amelie had on, complete with weird ruffles. “Fine, but if that winds up in your closet, I’m going to find it and turn it into kindling.”

  She giggled then ducked behind the dressing room curtain. We’d been at it for about two hours now, working to bring the shopping experience to Everest. We had a number of bags already, all resting at my feet, as I sat in an armchair. This was our last store, and then it was on to getting all the food we could find here. Pretzels and hot dogs and the like, then carting it all back to the mansion.

  Amelie was going to have to come back and return half of what she bought, but she said Everest needed a pick me up and this would get her mind off worrying about the baby. She’d picked out several bags for Everest, too. I had no doubt Slade would want most of it to be returned. Some of it I hadn’t been allowed to see. Womanly things, Amelie called them.

  When the curtain parted again, Amelie stepped out in a snug pair of dark jeans, dark brown boots, and a flannel that fit her perfectly. The green brought out the emerald of her eyes.

  She spun around slowly. “Well?”

  I got up and leisurely walked around her scratching my jaw.

  “Tank? Hello? It’s not like you’re figuring out the answer to life’s greatest question here.”

  “I could be.” I pulled her into my arms and kissed her. “I think you should wear this one back to the mansion.”

  “I’m going to take that as a yes. Great. I think we’re done. All that’s left is to get the food.”

  We purchased the items and headed out. A tiny part of me had expected this trip to be painful, following her around as she shopped. It was the complete opposite. I hadn’t had this much fun out in public in a very long time.

  It was nice to give her my input on what she purchased. Each time I gave her a compliment, her cheeks would turn a brighter shade of red as she grinned. “We are finished,” she said after buying a couple of cupcakes. “Anything you need?”

  “I picked up another pair of jeans and some shirts.”

  “What? When?” she asked, already digging into one of the chocolate cupcakes.

  I leaned in to kiss the tiny bit of icing that made it to the tip of her nose. “I’m sneaky.”

  We piled into the SUV we’d borrowed from one of the warlocks at the mansion and drove out of town.

  Once we were back, I lugged all the bags into Everest’s room, along with the food we’d bought.

  She burst out laughing as Amelie announced it was time for a fashion show and all the boys had to get out.

  Slade and I snagged a couple of pretzels and let them shove us out of the room, so they could have their fun time. We wandered through the mansion and out to the grounds. Slade caught me up on what little else occurred in the valley. Nothing terribly exciting.

  We stopped on the small bridge over the stream.

  “Mason came to me,” he said.

  “Let me guess. He said he’s feeling weird.”

  “He talked to you already?”

  “He came to me before I left with Amelie for the gathering. I told him to talk to Everest or his parents, but he didn’t want to bother them. You think he’s got latent magic in him?”

  “His mom’s an extremely powerful witch. Or she used to be anyway. His dad’s a Shadowguard. The chances of Mason not turning out to be like either one is highly unlikely. And being around magic so much must’ve stirred something up in him.” Slade hung his head. “I want to be there for him, but with Everest, the baby… shit, man.”

  “I’m sure Mason understands. I told him to call me if he needed.” I clapped him on the shoulder. “How are you really holding up? You can be honest. Everest’s not around. No one is.”

  Slade swiped roughly at his eyes, hunching over the bridge’s rail. “I thought I knew what fear was after watching Everest almost die, you know? I thought I could never be that afraid again, or any more afraid. I was wrong, so freaking wrong.” A tear slipped from his eye, and he didn’t seem to notice or care. “I’m damned good at saving people, but at that moment, there was nothing I could do. If she’d lost the baby, if I lost either one of them… there’s nothing I can do to stop it from happening.”

  “You’re not going to lose them.” I pulled him into a bear hug as he fell apart.

  Slade, the clan leader of the Shadowguards, had not been able to break down back home. I understood that. He had to be strong for Everest, for the valley. Keep them all positive that nothing bad was going to happen. Here with me, he could fall apart without judgment. He wept, and I let him, not saying anything as he let his fears go.

  “Sorry, man,” he muttered a while later. “Think I needed that.”

  “That’s what I’m here for. You two will be fine here. This place has been nothing but peaceful since we dealt with the poltergeist.”

  “Peaceful. Uh huh.”

  “What?”

  He shook his head, grinning. “Nothing. Just happy to see you happy for once.”

  “You can thank Amelie for that.”

  “I plan to.”

 

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