Page 115 of Hateful Prince
“It’s okay, big guy. I’m right here. We’re safe. But if you need to make a speedy getaway, just say the word, and I’ll get us out.”
“What word?” I whispered back, loving that she was once again attempting to take care of me when it was supposed to be the other way around.
Her teeth bit down into her bottom lip as she considered my question. “Hmm... codswallop? Whippersnapper? Skedaddle? Honestly, just a growly ‘come on’ will probably be enough.”
“A growl I can do.”
“Are you going to introduce me to the white-haired beauty at your side, Tor? Something we need to know about her, maybe?” Moira asked pointedly.
I pulled Dahlia closer, letting out a huff that was almost a growl as every one of the newcomers trained their gazes on her. “This is Dahlia. My mate. Dahlia, this is Sunday, her mates Caleb, Kingston, and you’ve already met Noah. Rosie and Gavin I’m just meeting tonight. And as you probably inferred, Ben and I have a past.”
“That’s one w-way to describe r-ripping m-me apart,” Ben muttered.
“Wait, what?” Rosie asked.
“It’s a long story,” I sighed.
“There seem to be a lot of those going around,” Sunday muttered.
I scanned the room, my heart lurching with a mixture of panic and hope. “Where’s Alek?”
“At home, taking care of Eden,” Caleb answered.
“We drew straws. He lost. We got to get dressed up and come to the fancy party. And then escort the good father over to his new post,” Kingston said with a grin.
“New post?” I asked, struggling to keep up.
“He’s the new headmaster at Ravenscroft,” Noah explained. “He’s taking over after the winter holiday.”
That felt appropriate. It also explained why so many of them made the journey across the pond.
“I couldn’t just leave the place in shambles. Ravenscroft has a long and storied past, and until War nearly destroyed it, the hallowed halls were revered for a reason. I intend to restore it to its former glory,” Caleb offered.
“Amen,” Caspian added, his brows waggling. “Do I smell incense? Holy oil? Which one of you is a priest?”
“He is,” almost all of us said, pointing at Caleb.
“I was. I haven’t been a priest for a very long time. You’d do well to remember that, Mrs. Gallagher,” he said, shooting a sly grin at Sunday.
Dahlia watched all of this with rapt attention. “I wish Kiki was here. She’d absolutely die.”
“And who are you?” Moira asked pointedly, staring intently at Caspian. “I have to assume you’re relevant. Or do you just go around inserting yourself into other people’s conversations? Follow-up question. Why are you dressed like a pirate?”
“Oh sweet Jesus, here he goes,” Hades mumbled.
“One, two, three,” Kai counted with feigned patience.
Caspian swooped into a deep bow. “Captain Caspian J.—”
“Hook! I thought that was you.” Rosie threw herself at him, wrapping the pirate in her arms.
“Careful there, barmaid. Your mate isn’t as tolerant as his twin. Something tells me Bentley here doesn’t play like Remi.”
She released him and then quickly took Ben’s hand by way of apology. “Your crew is lost without you in Aurora Springs. Why didn’t you say goodbye before you left?”
“I wasn’t really given much of a choice,” the pirate said, clearly sulking at having his big moment stolen.
“Oh, so you’re one of the patients here,” Moira said as though speaking to a child. “Let me guess, you’re a lost fae prince? Went too hard on pixie dust?”