Reniya grinned. “Well, that could’ve gone better.”

Chapter 26

VERA

Reniya and Jaeros parted, letting their group exit the room into the otherwise abandoned hall. The look on Jaeros’s face as he examined his mate was answer enough of why he was there.

Whatever emotions Dedryn had been pushing through their bond had concerned him enough to head their way, just in case. But Vera had no idea what the other individual was doing there.

“I thought you went home for the night, Reniya?”

“Did you really think I’d miss all the fun just because Deddie over here told me to?”

Jaeros snorted, slipping his arms around Deddie in a hug. Or to restrain him. Either was possible.

“Rein your eye daggers in, I’m kidding. I was doing rounds and saw Jae heading this way, so I decided to keep him company. Can’t say I regret it one bit.”

Vera cringed, squeezing an eye shut, and then grimaced when the action made her head hurt even more. “How much of that did you hear?”

“Enough to wish I could’ve attended. However, I feel like I will have just as much fun, if not more, escorting you to your etiquette classes,” she said, wiggling her eyebrows.

Vera laughed despite herself. Leave it to Reniya to find a way to make her feel better about the shitshow that just occurred. She shifted her weight, wincing. She was more than ready to toss these death traps off her feet.

Jaren cocked his head, his eyes roving over her before he stepped closer and dropped to the ground, grabbing the hem of her dress.

She squeaked, vividly remembering what he’d done the last time he’d dropped to his knees before her in a public setting. But he only lifted one foot and then the other, slipping off her shoes.

She groaned, feeling the blood rush back to her squeezed, abused toes. “Oh my gods, thank you.”

He nodded, dangling them off one hand and leaning down to press a kiss to her temple. She looked past his shoulder and smiled when she saw Dedryn and Jaeros in almost the exact same position.

Dedryn whispered something in his mate’s ear before brushing his lips over his forehead and turning away from him. His face was its usual stoic mask, but she could have sworn pride swam in his eyes as they met hers.

“If you don’t mind, Veralie, we would like to have a word with our son. I had planned to escort you back, but since Miss Virnorin has taken it upon herself to be present,” he added, throwing a disapproving look her way, “She can do the honors.”

Vera nodded. She didn’t care who walked her back, just as long as her shoes were off, and she was heading somewhere with a bed. But like an aggressive animal, Jaren’s chest rumbled, and he immediately opened his mouth to spew the gods only knew what.

Still feeling lightheaded and not possessing the energy to defend him in any more altercations, she twisted into his body, wrapping her arms around his waist.