Chapter 7 #2
“If he dedicates himself solely to his cousin’s happiness, how will he ever find his own?”
“You with Rían in the flesh instead of as his vague fantasy woman has helped Liam see what he’s been missing.” She tapped a finger against her chin. “Sloane has opened his eyes too, but I’m not sure their flirtation is something the clan can withstand if it turns more serious.”
“Then I should probably warn you that she’s already proposed to him. She’s determined to lock down the best friend and favorite couple slots with Rían and me. There was some talk of moving next door to us so they could come over for dinner and games. Nightly.”
“Do you think it’s too late to arrange a marriage for him?”
“Um.” Biting down on a laugh, I had to follow my heart. “Pretty sure that ship has sailed.”
Sloane and Liam might become a thing, or they might not, but neither of them was the type to allow a matchmaker to decide their romantic fates. Plus, I had serious doubts Fayne could find willing victims to pair with either of them. They might end up together out of sheer desperation.
“Ah, well.” She tipped her head to one side. “It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if the magnus and maguri shared a property line.”
“Unless you’re the one living in the house one driveway down from them…”
Gleeful chuckles that bordered on downright evil flushed her cheeks, and she wiped tears from her eyes.
“I’m not laughing at you,” she lied through her teeth. “I’m laughing with you.”
A knock on the door drew our attention to where Rían had stuck his head in, drawn by her laughter.
“I know that sound.” Apology laced his voice. “Nothing good comes from hearing it.”
“I’ve said my piece.” She bent and kissed my forehead. “I’ll be in touch about the details.”
Sloane and Liam waited until she entered the hallway to rush back in and circle the bed.
“Well?” Sloane gripped the metal railing. “What did she say?”
“I’m not sure if I should repeat it…” I scrunched up my face. “She wanted to talk in private, after all.”
“I’ll update you on Becca if you spill,” Liam offered. “Otherwise, I’ll swear the enforcers to secrecy.”
“Twist my arm why don’t you?” I huffed at him. “Well, it looks like I’m having a coming out party.”
“Yay! That sounds amazing. Go you.” Sloane hesitated. “What are you coming out as again?”
Delight transformed Rían’s features into wonder. “You know your breed?”
“I do.” I buffed my nails on my hospital gown. “Neat, huh?”
“We already know.” Liam made a rolling gesture with his hand. “She’s a luck dragon.”
“Hold on.” Sloane glanced between us. “Luck and wish are interchangeable?”
As someone who had fallen into the habit of using wish, I let Rían field the question since I was far from an expert.
“Everyone tends to focus on the wish fulfilment aspect, so, yes. They’re used interchangeably.
Most breeds have more than one nickname.
They tend to rise to popularity as one generation is stronger in a particular area than the previous.
” He kicked up an eyebrow at me. “But that’s beside the point. ”
“You’re not going to tell us.” Liam narrowed his eyes when it hit him. “Which means you’re not what we expected.”
“You’re not going to tell me?” Sloane stuck out her bottom lip. “Your very best friend in the whole world?”
“Don’t you want to be surprised?” Rían rubbed his hands together. “Liam, I’m shocked you’re not taking this opportunity to use your inside track to place bets and rake in—”
“Oh crap.” Liam smacked a hand against his forehead.
“That’s why Goldie asked if I still had that old whiteboard on rollers.
She’s going sportsbook on us. She’ll set up shop and take bets on Ana’s breed.
” He flung his arm toward the wall. “She rode over with Gran and was supposed to go straight to Burdock’s office while Gran talked to Ana.
I’d wager my life savings she listened outside the window.
” He pointed past Rían. “See that? It’s cracked open. ”
“What is it with Walshes and windows?” I debated investing in locks for the one in my and Sloane’s room. “And do you all carry a Slim Jim?”
“Those only open car doors,” Liam said with authority I didn’t question. “She carries a mini pry bar.”
No wonder there was no such thing as a barred exit once she decided to get in or out of a window.
“She does what?” Rían whipped his head toward the window. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I’m not a narc.” Liam rolled his eyes. “Duh.”
Perhaps Rían was in denial that his little sister stood a real shot at succeeding her uncle as maguri.
There was no other reason, the more often I observed how Liam and Fayne interacted with her, that explained how often she instigated shenanigans that resulted in a lesson rather than any real punishment.
As often as she snooped around the adults gathering information, it was clear she was practicing her spy game.
Had she been a less serious child, I might have considered it just that.
A game. But Goldie was the type of kid who pursued her goals with single-minded determination.
As far as I knew, there was no rule stating she couldn’t be both maguri and a girlboss.
Poor Rían.
Assuming I was onto something, I imagined Goldie was also being taught how to pick and choose which situations to handle on her own and which to involve Rían in.
A maguri reported to their magnus, but an apprentice situation would place Liam or Fayne over her education and make them her contact point.
But that was a problem for another day. She was young. She didn’t have to make any decisions yet.
“I hear I’m being discharged into your care.” I waded in, hoping to soothe Rían’s frazzled nerves. “There was talk of a movie and snacks?”
“Let me check on Goldie.” Rían tousled his hair.
“I’ll see if I can’t hurry Burdock along too.
” He snapped his fingers. “I almost forgot. I met Clary and gave her a key to GSG. She mentioned you’ve approved her preliminary sketch, so she freehanded the outline on the wall you marked.
She expects the full mural to take around thirty-six hours and requests no interruptions until she’s done. ”
“Thank you.” I clasped my hands together. “I can’t wait to see the finished product.”
With a kiss to my cheek, he exited the room, leaving me with Sloane and Liam.
“No one mentioned a movie night to me.” She sighed dramatically. “Guess I’ll just hole up in our room and listen through the walls.” She rubbed her stomach. “I’m sure the scent of popcorn will be enough to sustain me.”
“You’re still sleeping together?” Liam snickered. “Do I want to know why?”
“Ana gets lonely without me.” Sloane squared her shoulders. “Plus, I’m guarding her virtue.”
Heat raced into my cheeks, and I found somewhere else to look.
“Ana can protect herself.” Liam tsked at her. “You should move into your room.”
“Are you trying to make an opening for Rían to be her new roomie?”
“Are you trying to cockblock her?”
“I’m fine with Sloane staying with me.” To win extra pity points in her favor, I rubbed the center of my chest. “With my ties to Sartori, it’s a comfort having a former packmate nearby.” I exhaled slowly. “We can reevaluate after I become a Walsh.”
Because Liam wasn’t wrong. Rían and I weren’t there yet, but eventually, we would want alone time without having to snuggle Sloane too. His bedroom was beside Goldie’s, so it made more sense for him to visit me in my room.
“See?” Sloane puffed out her chest. “Ana needs me.”
“You’re welcome to join us for the movie.” I patted her head. “And snacks.”
“This is why you’re my favorite.” She bounced in place. “I’ll pick up some pizza on the way.”
“You can come too, Liam.” I hoped Rían didn’t mind me expanding our plans to include extra guests, but it wasn’t like a date night. Not with Goldie there. No. This was more of a family deal. Perfect for the five of us. “Would you mind stopping by the store for some ginger ale?”
“Sure.” Concern darkened his eyes. “Got an upset stomach?”
“A little.” I patted my belly. “Nothing major.”
The door swung open on Burdock, whose hair was more disheveled than it had been earlier.
Fayne, right behind him, wore a misbuttoned shirt.
To a man, we all pretended not to notice and said nothing whatsoever about it.
“You’re free to go.” Burdock stood next to me. “Let me know if you experience any aches, pains, or side effects that ibuprofen can’t fix. I’ll need to examine you again if you do.”
“Her stomach is upset.” Liam, the weasel, sold me out in record time. “Is that okay?”
“That’s a common side effect of one of the medicines she was given earlier. It’ll go away on its own after she’s eaten something. Ginger ale will help too.” He removed the IV and covered the small puncture with a pink bandage. “Otherwise, I’ll see you in a week for a checkup.”
“Thanks, Burdock.” I waved as Rían entered the room with Goldie behind him. “See you then.”