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“Oh, I don’t plan to.” His grin is back in full force.
Finley chooses that moment to appear at the top of the stairs. “Who’s taking me? I’d prefer Jethro, but I’ll settle for either of you as long as I get to my sister.”
Jethro leans into my shoulder and whispers, “I think we both have our work cut out for us.”
Finley’s closed off expression makes it clear he’s right. I’ve shoved her right back into that armor she wears, the belief she’s not enough and needs to guard against anything that might hurt her.
Two days before her birthday, and I screwed everything up.
Jethro steps up, saving me with a lie. “We just talked to Midas. And he was adamant that no one come. They want it to be just the two of them during the labor and for those first few days. The midwife recommended it or something. You know how people are when it comes to babies. Everyone’s got their opinions.”
“But I’m her sister.” Finley sniffles with glossy eyes. “I couldn’t be there when they got married, and now I can’t be there when their kid is born? Seriously?”
“It’s gonna be okay.” I cross the room and wrap my arms around her, but she fights, pushing me away. No longer worried about the audience, since Jethro knows, I just hold tighter. Why didn’t I just tell everyone the moment I knew she was mine? I should have shouted it from the rooftops. I should have gotten the priests to change the law.
In my pride, I wanted to prove to my brother that I wasn’t the same impulsive hothead that I was when I was younger. I could be patient and controlled like he is. I could earn his trust back by keeping my distance from Finley until she was legal. How wrong I was!
Finley finally subdues, sinking into my embrace and crying into my shoulder. Hope soars through me like a dragon taking flight for the first time. But all too soon, she pulls away, hardening herself. “Did they say what hospital they’re at?”
“No,” Jethro gently answers. “In fact, Midas said they were on a day trip when it happened, so they aren’t even where they were staying originally.”
My friend is much quicker on his feet than I am, and a better liar, too.
“Let me guess, he didn’t say where.”
Jethro shakes his head and Finley glares. She picks up her suitcase, turns away from us, and marches to the door. Both Jethro and I rush to cut her off.
“You can’t—”
“Stay away from me, Cyrus." She turns on me, gaze flashing with anger. "I’m not going to the airport. I’m going to Sora’s for the night.” She holds her suitcase against her chest like a wall separating the two of us. “I’ll be back in the morning.”
“At least let someone drive you.”
She doesn’t pause to answer, and before the door is shut, I’m shifting to dragon form intent on following and protecting her, but Jethro blocks my path to the balcony. “Give her space, Cyrus.”
Unable to talk to my friend while shifted, I change back. “I just need…”
“I know.” Tight wrinkles form in the corners of his mouth, a subtle sign that he understands. “Your brother needs you, too. You should be with him in case the worst happens.”
My eyes swing to the door. The pain of Finley’s departure is a weight on my chest, stopping up my breath. But I have to at least try to honor her request for space. No matter how much I hate it. And Jethro’s right. Midas needs me.
I look back at my oldest friend. “Go with her. Make sure she gets there safe… please.”
“I will happily play bodyguard for the night.” Jethro bowswith a wide smile.
“I’m sure.” I can’t hide the bite of jealousy that he’ll get to be around his mate tonight, and I won’t. “Keep your hands off Finley.”
“Not a problem,” he says as he jogs for the door.
I shift, flying into the sky with a roar no human will hear, but it will bring every dragon in the area to the Temple of Gold. Our Ra and Ra’a need our prayers.
Chapter 16
Finley
“Finley!”
I spin to see who’s calling my name and find Jethro striding toward me across the first floor lobby. How the hell did he catch up with me before I even left the building? He must have taken the stairs, but he doesn’t look winded, and it should have taken much longer than the elevator.
