"YOU WERE SUPPOSED to have called me when you landed."
Stepping out of the truck, Aubrey searched through the curious throng of onlookers for her siblings. It didn't take her long to find them as they stood on the porch leading to Lila and Graham's cabin. Both of her siblings stood with their arms curled around their mates, each with a hopelessly besotted smile lighting up their faces. An ache, while not unfamiliar, bloomed in her chest. To be in love... Aubrey had never experienced the emotion, not once having fallen to Cupid's arrow. Truth be told, she'd never been on a date in her life, always thinking—hoping—someone would waltz into her life and sweep her off her feet. While knowing that was not the most realistic of expectations, it was one that warmed her many dreams.
"Yes, but there is something to be said about anticipation—it makes the heart grow fonder," Aubrey replied. Grabbing her bag, she closed the distance to her siblings. Not knowing whom to hug first, she was pleasantly surprised when both flung themselves at her, eliciting a startled laugh from her lips and causing her to drop her things.
"I believe it's 'absence' that makes the heart grow fonder," her brother Jonas amended. Having inherited the Meade height and brown hair and eyes, he looked the spitting image of their late father. Younger than Aubrey by three years, he somehow appeared older now. Perhaps, Aubrey thought with a rueful smile, it was the effect of soon-to-be fatherhood.
Aubrey glanced sideways to her sister, who stood as the younger, slightly smaller, pregnant version of herself. Returning her gaze back to her brother's, she replied, "No, definitely anticipation."
"While I hate to break this reunion up, I suggest we head inside before we all melt."
Aubrey lifted her gaze to her very tall and exceedingly handsome brother-in-law. "Good to see you, too, Graham." It was at that moment a clap of thunder rumbled in the sky and rattled the earth below. While traveling with Hugh, she'd dozed on and off, listening to the sound. Lifting up her all-but-forgotten bag, she nodded to the door. "Right, lead the way."
Escorting first his wife, then Jonas and his mate, and finally Aubrey inside, Graham led them to the large living space where a cozy fire burned within a stone hearth. Once assured that Lila was seated comfortably on the loveseat, Graham turned to Aubrey and said, "I'll take those," before grabbing her bags and handing them to Hugh, who had followed them inside. "You'll be staying in the cabin next door."
He waited a moment, his eyes locked on her face with such intensity that it made Aubrey squirm a little where she sat in the opposing loveseat from where Lila was currently reclined. It was as if he was searching for any hesitation, any sign of uncertainty that might lead him to believe she was not comfortable with staying by herself in a cabin. Darting her gaze to the others around her, she was shocked and equally appalled to see the same unwavering scrutiny. Aubrey felt a wave of anger and frustration rise within her, heating her blood and creeping up her neck. She wasn't going to break if that's what her family thought. She may have been abducted, and she may have been experimented on, and she may slowly be losing her mind, but she was not some porcelain doll one crack away from shattering.
'Unless he wants to become Oedipus, make him stop,' the voice commanded.
Her fingers curling in her lap, she forced back the rising tide of emotions and managed a smile. "That would wonderful. Thank you."
Graham frowned, not fully convinced, but nodded. Tension still remained within the air, her siblings and their mates strung tight and ready to leap into action in the event Aubrey broke down and had a panic attack. (That had only happened once, and it had been right after she'd awoken in the clinic back at Clan Blackstone after her rescue from the rogues.) Not our finest moment, the voice conceded grudgingly.
Silently agreeing with the voice, Aubrey decided to switch the focus to someone else. "So, how are the preparations for the ceremony coming? Will there be other clans joining?"
Seeming to have taken the hint to back off, Graham joined his mate on the loveseat. "Preparations are going smoothly, or so I've been told." He lifted a glass of brandy from the coffee table—apparently, they'd been lounging in the den for some time, having a nightcap, while waiting for Aubrey and Hugh to arrive—and sipped at the amber liquid. "And yes, in answer to your question. We will be hosting Clans Skyeloche, Razorback, Atlantica. Actually," he took another sip of his drink, "we should be expecting them within the day or two."
A thrill of excitement shot up her back, and instantly images of silver eyes flashed in her mind. A sound, low and approving, echoed in her mind. It sounded like... No, Aubrey snorted. No, it can't be. But it was. Somewhere, in the back of her mind, the voice was purring. Warmth flooded her veins, and Aubrey was suddenly besieged by the unfamiliar feeling of... rightness. Following closely on its heels came a feeling of possessiveness unlike anything Aubrey ever knew. She could feel it in the tightening of her muscles, the straightening of her back, and the absurd, illogical need to challenge any woman who got too close to what was hers.
Hers?
Forcing back the primal urges, Aubrey internally shook herself. 'My god! What is wrong with me?' Could it be that this was yet another stage of the voice taking over? That she was another step closer to losing her mind?
Feeling suddenly sick to her stomach, she made a mental note to herself to seek out Dr. Ahlbrand as soon as the good doctor was available.
"Aubrey? Are you okay? You got a little pale all of a sudden." Blinking, she turned her gaze to Jonas who, like the others, was staring at her intently.
"I'm fine," she replied. "Exhausted, actually." She glanced between her in-laws. "I don't know how you guys do it."
"Do what?" her sister-in-law Rosalie inquired.
"Fly. Doesn't it make you sick?" She shook her head. "That's a stupid question—of course not."
Rosalie shrugged. "There are some who get a little airsick, the younger ones, especially, who are just beginning to learn to fly."
Graham laughed. "I can attest to that."
Aubrey cocked a brow. "Personal experience?"
He flashed her a grin. "No, but Hugh on the other hand," he flashed his gaze to his youngest cousin who had joined them shortly after moving Aubrey's belongings to her cabin, "had quite the weak stomach when he first started out."
The younger male's face grew red with embarrassment. "Only those two times and you know it," he shot back. "Don't forget, it was you who crashed into a tree because you were too busy ogling your band of female admirers than watching where you were flying."
Graham's eyes flashed from blue to the electric hue of his beast. "You said you would never speak of that."
"'Never' is a word that is not in my vocabulary."
"Watch your mouth, cuz, or I'll shut it for you."
"Just because you're Clan leader doesn't mean I can't take you."
"Is that a challenge?"
"Maybe it is."
Graham appeared ready to pounce on the younger drake when Lila settled her hand on his arm. Aubrey watched, bemused, that such a simple touch could cause the blond giant to quickly turn his attention from pounding his cousin to the inquiry of his mate. "Graham," Lila began in a voice, not unlike a mother scolding her child, "if you two are going to beat each other to a pulp, take it outside."
His eyes gleamed a moment before he stood. "An excellent idea." Waving his hand toward the door, "After you, cuz."
Aubrey watched as the two giants stomped from the room. The moment she heard the door slam shut, Aubrey couldn't hold back the laughter any longer. Mirthful teacher stung at her eyes, and her sides ached from the for of her joviality. When the laughter abated, with only a few lingering chuckles, she looked to her sister. "Are they always like this?"
"Pretty much," Lila muttered. "It's like dealing with a bunch of kids, each trying to out best the other. Were we always like this?"
Aubrey and Jonas exchanged a glance before returning their gaze to their younger sister. "Well, you and I never acted like that. As for Jonas and me... well, you could say there were times when Mom and Dad would have to take separate vehicles to keep the peace."
"You're kidding!"
"Afraid not," Jonas replied, shooting Aubrey a wink. "Like cats and dogs, we were. It wasn't until you came along that we settled a truce of sorts."
It was at that moment, Rosalie gave a huge yawn. Poor thing looked as if she was battling to stay awake. Jonas seemed to notice it too, for he carefully helped her up, his arm gently curved around her swollen belly. "Come on, Rose. Let's get going." He sent an apologetic look to Aubrey. "Sorry we can't stay longer, but..."
She waved her hand. "Don't worry about it."
Each bidding goodnight, the two left for their cabin. Thankfully, it wasn't that far of a distance as Aubrey watched another flash of lightning illuminate the scenery outside the window behind Lila.
Which left only the sisters.
"How are you holding up?" Aubrey asked.
"I'm doing good," Lila replied, idly patting the small mound of her belly. "I'm tired mostly. And hungry. Always hungry."
Aubrey chuckled. "All good signs, I take it."
Lila nodded.
"Do you know the sex yet?"
"Not yet. It's still a little early to tell. Graham is hoping for a boy. I'm wanting a girl."
"Perhaps you'll both get lucky and end up with twins."
"Bite your tongue!"
Aubrey laughed.
Fuming, Lila muttered, "Just wait until you get pregnant. Then I'll wish triplets on you."
"Assuming I'll ever be pregnant."
"Won't you?"
"Not until I'm married—and that hasn't happened yet." 'Nor will it,' she thought somberly. At least, not until she fixed whatever was wrong with her.
"Give it time. For all you know he may be at the ceremony."
Aubrey cocked a brow. "You're so certain I'll be a dragon's mate?" She couldn't help the tinge of incredulity to seep into her voice.
"Call it a mate's intuition." A mischievous smile grew on her lips. "In fact," she continued, raising her chin in an all-too-arrogant notch, "I bet you'll be mated before the year is out. No, not the year—a month. Yes! I bet you'll be mated before the end of the month."
"Really?" Aubrey scoffed. "And what exactly are you betting? And how much?"
"If I win, you have to give me your autographed copy of 'The Princess Bride'. If you win, you get to name my baby."
Aubrey frowned. "That doesn't seem like a fair trade."
The Cheshire smile only grew. "We'll see."
Heaving a dramatic sigh, Aubrey replied, "Well, I hope you and Graham like the names Westley and Buttercup, because I will be winning this bet."
Again, Lila continued to smile. "We'll see."