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“I am not running away from my birthday.”

“Oh, you’re running away from your birthday party. Dude. Poe and Tyr are working really hard on this.”

He stared at his toes and wiggled them where his feet lay on the end of the bed. “Yes, I know. That’s why I haven’t run away yet. But I remember telling everybody I didn’t want a party.”

“I know but that’s kind of mean in its own right. This is the first chance they’ve ever had to throw you a birthday party.” Riley sat on the edge of his bed, staring him in the eye. “What’s really bothering you?”

“I don’t know. I guess I feel a little bit at loose ends.” He picked at a thread on his leggings. “I’ve been flying a lot of patrols lately. I’ve been doing a lot of work with the village elders, but I don’t know…”

“You need a hobby.”

He glared at Riley. “Are you kidding me?”

“In fact, I think that’s a great idea and I think I have just the hobby for you.” Riley reached over to pat his knee in the most condescending way he possibly could.

“Get your hand off me, or I will kick your ass.”

“I’m a lot stronger now that I’ve been playing a bunch of sports.”

He stared at the offending fingers until Riley lifted them off his leg. “So, what is this hobby you think I should take up?”

“Courting Harden.”

If he had been drinking something just then, he would have had a spit-take. As it was he choked on his own spit and almost asphyxiated right there. “What?” he finally sputtered when he could breathe again.

“You heard me. I think you should court Harden.”

“What the fuck would you say that for?”

“I see the way you look at him.”

Brayden couldn’t deny that because that would be dishonorable. He did look at Harden that way. The problem was… “He doesn’t look back at me the same way.”

“Sure because maybe you’re just not looking when he’s looking.”

“If I figure out what that means, I’ll come up with a crushing response. What the hell? You’re just talking in circles.”

“Okay, don’t court him. Go be friends with him. The guy’s got some amazing damn animals. He’s really good with them. He’s like this weird-ass cowboy, like Poe, except weirder. His horses have way more legs. And feathers.” Riley waggled his eyebrows at him. “I hear a rumor too that there’s a winged horse in his stables. You could go ask him about that. Just be friendly.”

“I’m not friendly.”

Riley rolled his eyes. “You could try that. It could be your hobby. Besides, we all know you’re friendly.”

Brayden rolled his eyes. “You suck.”

Smile widening, Riley nodded slowly. “Every chance I get.”

“Ugh. You’re so gross.” Although really that wasn’t gross. It was just the way it was. Riley had never had any trouble getting anyone he wanted. Brayden had been less prolific with his attentions.

“I dare you to go out to Harden’s farm and see the winged horse.”

That was a low blow. Dares were impossible to resist among the three of them. “I will go. I will take him some sort of thing, in exchange he will show me his winged horse.”

“I’m glad to see you getting out and doing something.”

“Tomorrow.” Brayden looked out the window. “It’s starting to get dark now and I don’t want to impose on him.”

“Okay but I’m coming back to check on you tomorrow and if you don’t go I will take you myself.”