Page 58 of Hero of Havoc

Lucky didn’t come join me, but something tells me this was why she offered me a flight earlier in the week. Regardless, there’s no taking it back now, and I can’t say I want them to.

It was a silent flight back; Baron made sure of it. Alaric mumbled his apologies repeatedly, but Baron was too lost to his emotions to consider a response, and every time Alaric tried to talk to me, my dragon rider snarled.

I think we all just need some calmness to let the madness subside.

Which is exactly why this party is a perfect distraction. Besides, Meadow needs me, which means I get to shelve my own issues and focus on someone else’s for a change.

First, though, I smell like smoke, and that’s saying something as a Fire Protector, but being in such close proximity to the dragons was intense, heat and all.

I can hear the guys on the other side of the door. Not enough to piece together what they’re saying though, so I eliminate them from my thoughts entirely as I turn on the shower, letting the water drown them out.

Quickly undressing, I step under the spray, letting the water wash my worries away while trying to keep my hair from getting wet. I’ve got day-four hair, which is perfect for slicking it back into a cute ponytail that will work perfectly with the dress I pulled out.

Once I feel fresh, I shut off the water and make quick work of drying myself off. The dress in question is a cute, summery style that cuffs at the shoulders, fastens with a bow between my breasts, and falls mid-thigh, with soft pink flowers throughout.

Arranging my strands into a hair tie, I smile at the end result before reaching for my makeup bag and completing the look. Opting for my favorite white sandals, I glance at my silhouette in the mirror, a smile lifting the corners of my mouth as I brace myself, ready to face my hated mates on the other side of the door.

My lips press together in a thin line as I swing the door open, surprised to find Teddy sprawled on my bed. His outfit is different. He’s now wearing a pair of soft-blue shorts with a white t-shirt, and a pair of slides perched beside the bed. But what’s more surprising is the fact that he’s alone.

Letting my gaze fall to his, a shiver runs down my spine as I watch him watch me. It’s like his hands are on my body with the way he drinks me in, and the way his lip curls at the corner lures me closer.

I take two steps before I remember myself, clenching my hands at my sides as I clear my throat. “Where are the others?” I ask, and he shrugs.

“They went to get changed. They’ll meet us there.”

I cock a brow at him again. “And is everyone calm now?” I ask, and he nods.

“As calm as the bottom of the ocean,” he promises with a wink.

“Perfect,” I declare, exhaling as I shake the worry from my limbs. “I’m ready to go.”

He swings his legs over the side of the bed, straight into his slides before he stands, eliminating the distance between us in a single breath.

“Well, we’re not going anywhere until I tell you just how beautiful you look, Princess.”

“Thank you,” I breathe, the familiar tingles of a blush dancing along my cheeks, and he winks.

He hooks his arm for me to link with him and I take the offer, nerves flooding my veins as I saunter from my room at his side.

As we make our way outside, the moonlight shimmering around us, I clear my throat. “How did you win?” I ask, and he glances at me out of the corner of his eye.

“What do you mean?”

“Either no one else wanted to escort me, or⁠—”

“Oh, they wanted to escort you,” he interrupts, amusement brightening his blue eyes.

“But?”

He shrugs, looking straight ahead as we move toward the beach, but I pull us to a stop, a pointed look on my face as I wait him out. It takes two seconds before he sighs.

“I may have encouraged them.”

My jaw falls slack. “Teddy,” I berate, and he chuckles.

“What? You’ve been on a freaking dragon excursion with Baron today, Archer gets to sleep in the room beside you every night, and you and Sax⁠—”

I slap the back of my hand against his chest.