Page 6 of Monsters (Vengeance #3)

It was fantastic.

Honestly, it was difficult for me to enjoy it though.

Not only were my thoughts on the safety of my kingdom but it felt wrong to be relaxing when Mario was probably planning my demise.

Not to mention, it was difficult to do or say anything remotely normal because everyone and their fifth cousin wanted to talk to me.

Or stare at me. Like creepy staring. I felt bad for thinking that but come on, I love my kingdom but shit, please stop staring at me.

That alone rankled my mood. Then add on the tension radiating through my boys.

It was just a disaster waiting to happen.

Taylor seemed the most tightly wound. He continued to randomly touch the mark on my neck in an affectionate brush.

I really didn’t get it but neither of the shifters thought it was odd.

Adyen’s eyes were more black than honey-colored, meaning he not only felt defensive but that his dragon was calling most of the shots.

Then Rhodes, bless his soul, kept trying to keep our little family upbeat but no one was really making it easy on him.

Quite the opposite. Athens was uncharacteristically quiet and Neo had an arm wrapped possessively around my waist. He kept a wary eye on everyone we passed.

I surmised we would be leaving the festival within the first two hours.

Turned out we only lasted an hour. Stupid assassin messing up my festival vibes.

I think all of us lost interest when we got hungry.

Then the Marabella situation exploded into a technicolor mess of drama.

I wasn’t one for eating popcorn while drama occurred but with the wars and vengeance plans, a girl’s gotta do something to keep relaxed.

So, when Palo stalked toward Marabella and Bobby, my eyes grew wide with interest.

“Shit,” I murmured as Rhodes followed my gaze.

“Marabella,” Palo growled softly but with our enhanced hearing we could totally hear. “What did I say would happen? Go change.”

“Hey!” Bobby snapped. “She looks great. Leave her alone.”

I’d never seen him actually pissed off. Sort of scary.

“Leave her alone?” Palo stepped nose to nose with Bobby as Marabella shook her head, annoyed.

Palo continued. “You know absolutely nothing about her, Robert. I bet you couldn’t even tell me her favorite fucking color.

You’ve been around all of two minutes so don’t fucking tell me to leave her alone.

If you had half a brain you’d see all of the men looking at her and agree with me instead of being a fucking problem. ”

Robert let out a low sound as I watched Palo nearly unravel. I was expecting a fight.

Of course, unfortunately for my entertainment, Bobby had to be rational.

His eyes met mine as he rolled them to the heavens.

He stared at Palo and pulled Marabella closer.

Not away from Palo, as one might have expected but, rather, more securely between the two of them.

Palo frowned. I’m sure my familiar was confusing the shit out of him.

The truth? Bobby was one of the most calm, light-hearted, and good people I’d ever had the pleasure of calling my friend. I love Esme but Bobby has her beat in being nice to others. He hated tension and arguing so I’m sure he wanted this resolved.

“Happy?” Bobby queried. “Now no one can look at her. You’re right. I don’t know her like you do. I never claimed that was the case. Hell, you can even ask her. Today I told her that she should spend some time with you, didn’t I, birdie?”

Marabella flushed but nodded.

“I am not trying to take your place but I care about her also.” He finished with a sigh .

Fuck! This was so not the drama I wanted.

Jersey Shore! Jersey Shore! Not some sappy, romantic soap opera. As a friend I was happy for them. As a salacious voyeur? I was disappointed.

“Can we,” Marabella spoke quietly before clearing her throat to start over, “can we talk alone boys? I don’t think everyone needs to hear this.”

Palo held Bobby’s stare, communicating something or another. Then the demon sighed looking away just after smoothing a thumb over Marabella’s lip. She was bright pink. Fucking adorable.

“We can go to my office.” Palo grunted as he led the two of them towards the castle.

Esme tossed out a “Go Team Marabella!” I dissolved into laughter. I could tell the boys were amused and Taylor was practically in tears.

He chuckled while burying his nose in my hair. “Fuck. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my brother so worked up. Cold bastard. Maker, but that was amazing.”

I was just happy to see the tension had disappeared from his body and expression.

All of us nodded our consent and began trailing back to the castle, officially done with the festival but glad to see the Horde citizens enjoying it.

My hand slipped into Rhodes's as he tossed me a smile.

It was my favorite smile because it was authentic and made him look even younger than he was.

Sometimes the man looked exhausted and I wished that I could take that from him, even if I was tired myself.

“I smell food,” I bounced on my toes as we made our way towards the private dining room.

Had it only been a week ago that Vegas and I had dinner there?

Crazy. I missed her which was saying something because I didn’t make friends easily.

My magic encouraged it though and I had grasped there was something not being said yet between us, something unknown.

I was cool with waiting. I had a lot of shit going on.

Silas, my brother, stood waiting for us with a big grin. I loved my brother but he annoyed me. Today? He did the opposite of annoying me. I nearly jumped at him when I walked into the room, my mouth popping open.

“You like it?” He preened, smoothing a hand over his dark nearly purple hair as it glinted in the candlelight of the small luxurious room.

From the ceiling to floor it had to be a twenty-foot drop.

Each arch of the gothic room was covered with festive fall garland that matched the fiery color of the two roaring fireplaces on either end.

The massive table sat squarely in the center with a setting that could rival most Pinterest boards.

Gold. Orange. Red. All of them mixed with silk napkins and porcelain plates.

Wine and appetizers were already being served, all topped off by the autumn sunset that peeked through the windows, setting the room ablaze in a fiery hue.

I loved Thanksgiving. Usually, it was just Esme, Bobby, and I celebrating, so I was totally being an over-emotional little bitch right now. I turned towards my brother.

“This is amazing, Silas, thank you.” I gave him a hug that left him speechless before turning back around.

I walked towards the head of the table between Rhodes and the place reserved for my brother.

A content smile took over my face. Music played in the distance.

The sounds of the festival echoed from below.

As food, elaborately done and well-made, was served I let my eyes trail over everyone.

From my men to Esme and Laurena. The evening was packed full with laughter and lighthearted conversation.

Even the arrival of the three who’d been arguing wasn’t a big deal.

It was clear from the pleased smile on Bobby’s face that something had been worked out and based on Marabella’s pink cheeks, it must have been good.

Palo looked far calmer with his arm wrapped around her chair while Bobby kissed her hand gently as they laughed about something. My heart squeezed affectionately.

“Hey.” Esme narrowed her eyes at me. “Are you getting emotional? Because you know what happens when you cry. I cry. And I’m an uglier crier.”

“Isn’t everyone?” Rhodes stated, amused.

Esme shook her head. “No! Not to be weird, but Gray even looks like a fucking supermodel crying. I think it is the only thing I truly hate about her.”

I snorted and flipped her off. She was right though, I needed to focus on food.

In the time I’d been in the Horde, I hadn’t maintained my weight.

That concerned me because that meant losing muscle, which I needed.

I was small enough. I started to cut into the food and found myself in a very special heaven when they served pumpkin pie early.

I began eating it and narrowed my eyes at Taylor who had easily eaten his within a minute.

“Tricky bastard,” I muttered, not minding because now we would have a date night.

It was such a peaceful evening that I began forgetting about nearly being shot earlier. I temporarily forgot about our war. I started to rest easy. So, of course, that would be when trouble happened. God forbid I have a peaceful thanksgiving.

Honestly, it was times like this that I wish I had a normal life. Like Vegas! She was probably relaxing at home enjoying her Thanksgiving. Then again, she didn’t have an entire kingdom to worry about so I suppose our priorities were a tad different.

Around midnight, a comfortable easy pace had everyone tipsy and well-fed.

I was now curled up on Adyen’s lap as the twins sat with their mom sharing childhood stories.

It sounded like, and not to judge, they were annoying little shits.

I’d never say that to their faces though.

Or maybe I would, but not with their amazing mother around.

Taylor chuckled at my thought, but continued to sip on his ale. Rhodes had a distant look on his face as if he was trying to figure something out. Overall, though they seemed much more relaxed.

It was just past midnight when the boom of an explosion rocked the Horde.

“What the hell was that?” I snapped as the eruption burned fire along our northern border. It was a violent shade of black and red. Dangerous and set to harm as much as possible.