Changed by Fire (Phoenix Rising #6) - Harper Wylde Page 0,63
her territory, but Damien stopped me.
Don’t worry. She just needs a minute. She’ll be okay, Damien murmured, easing my worry.
Tao bowed his head, a reverent move I felt I should have been giving to him, and helpfully smoothed the blunder—though he wore a secret smile—by simply moving past it. “It’s been an honor to serve with Joshua, to protect him and aid the rebellion, but it is even more of an honor to meet you, his mate.”
“Oh, I like this guy,” Ryder teased Theo, who was glaring at Tao. “Your sister could do a hell of a lot worse. In fact, I think I like him more than some of her suitors. That Hawthorne guy is a cocky little shit.”
Killian grunted. “And she doesn’t seem to have much of a connection with that Ren guy or the Hippocampus. What the fuck is that guy’s name again?”
Tao listened eagerly to their conversation as the guys discussed Molly’s dating life until I hushed them all, sure she would be more embarrassed by their outward attention—especially in front of the new guy—than she was by her growling outburst. It warmed my heart, however, to see the guys so keen on keeping tabs on Molly. I knew they all viewed her as a little sister, each one nearly as protective of her as Theo was.
When Tao went back to stand with the others, I shook my head and asked the question burning on my tongue. “I thought there were more survivors.” My confusion was thick as I eyed the men and the few women who accompanied them.
“There were many women and children who did not wish to fight,” Valleria started, prying herself out of a conversation with Ciar I’d only vaguely paid attention to about rooming, the number of beds, and fresh sheets, but she was quickly interrupted by Rini.
“I hope you didn’t turn them away,” she barked, her eyes flashing with sharp anger.
“I wouldn’t have let Val do that even if it had been an option, which it wasn’t.” Ciarán leaned forward to eye his mate. Confused frustration pulled his brow down, but Rini didn’t take the bait. Refusing to catch his gaze, she shrugged, but the movement looked all wrong on her tense shoulders.
“How am I supposed to know what you would do? You’ve been rather unpredictable these days,” she sassed.
“I thought you knew me better than that,” he muttered so softly I barely caught it. All his usual pep and boisterous attitude was absent tonight, replaced with disappointment.
His goofy grin slipped back into place, though I saw the rejection flash in Ciar’s eyes before he donned his mask, there and gone faster than a bullet releasing from a gun. “Don’t you know?” Ciar dissolved into mist, reappearing just behind Rini and leaning over her shoulder to whisper into her ear. “Being unpredictable is as important as sprinkles on ice cream. Fun and completely necessary.” He misted again and reappeared near the door that led farther into the hotel. “Don’t worry. The defectors that didn’t want to fight are safely hidden away with the women and children at the McKinnely base.”
Joshua peered down at me as Ciar misted away for good this time, but I just shook my head subtly with a look that said I’d fill him in later.
With a nod and a sniffle, Rini gave us all a tight grin. She walked over to meet us and gave Joshua a gentle squeeze on the arm. “I’m so happy you’re back. Being without one of your mates is unbearable.” Her eyes trailed back to where Ciar disappeared before returning to us. “I don’t know how you did it for so long, Nix.” With a wobbly smile, she headed outside, trekking her way back to the cabin she shared with her bears.
That was brutal, Killian mumbled.
I think a girls’ night is in order. Just… not tonight. I squeezed Joshua’s hand, willing to be more than a little selfish when it came to spending time with him—with all of my mates, as a group. It’d been too long since we were together as a family, and I wasn’t ready to let go of Joshua. Not even for a second.
That’s not selfish, Nix. Whatever is going on with those two won’t be fixed in a single night. Though it might not be a bad idea for us to get involved. Damien flicked his gaze to Killian who sighed in defeat.
Was already planning on it, he grumbled. But if he’s his usual, annoying self and