“Please, don’t remind me. The next time you have one of these thrax galas, I’m wearing my grey suit.”
Mom lets out a long sigh. “That’s so drab, Xav.”
“For a reason.” Dad raises his pointer finger, pauses, and looks over his shoulder. “Please stop petting my wings, ma’am.”
A crinkly woman who’s about a thousand years old lifts her papery hand from Dad’s feathers. “Sorry, your worshipfulness.” She stares at his back, mesmerized. “You’re so very-very sparkly.”
Dad rolls his eyes. “What did I tell you?”
“Myla agrees with me.” Mom wags the camera before resetting it into her purse. “We should have at least one picture of you looking so handsome.”
My father bows slightly at the waist. “All the more reason to enjoy my handsome-ness live and in person.” He pauses, pressing his lips together. “Is she touching me again?”
I lean back and take a quick look. “Ooooooooooh, yeah.” I wince at the weirdness. “It’s really nasty.”
Across the ballroom floor, the orchestra strikes up a slow tune.
Mom takes Xavier’s hands in hers. “How about we dance?”
“Love to.”
I watch them step away and feel the comforting awwwwww that only happy parents can deliver. My Mom and Dad, two crazy-cute lovebirds off for a waltz. It’s a mighty cool thing.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Walker steal up beside me. It takes a supreme act of control not to jump up and down and scream ‘Waaaaaaalker!’ at the top of my lungs. After all, I haven’t seen him all night.
But Walker’s been trying to sneak up on me since I was nine, and he sucks at it in a big way. It would be breaking with our tradition for me not to call him out at the last second.
Walker tiptoes up behind my left shoulder and raises his hand to tap me on the back. When I speak, I make a point of not looking at him. “Only Lincoln can do that, you know.”
I can hear the grin in Walker’s voice. “Do what?”
“Sneak up on me. You’re way too loud.” I turn to face him, encasing him in a big hug. “So good to have you here. I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done.”
Walker purses his lips. “Actually, there is one way you could thank me.”
“Name it.”
“The Ghost Towers are running fine, but I think we can do better. New buildings for a new regime, that kind of thing. I have some engineering ideas that—”
“Say no more. Go for it.”
“Thanks, Myla.” He rubs his palms together. “This will be fun.”
A new voice sounds behind me. “Excuse me.” Turning around, I find Connor standing there. He wears a traditional thrax black tunic with chain mail and a silver crown. “Would you like to dance?”
This is the first time I’ve seen Connor since I read him the riot act back in my kitchen. “Are you sure you want to?”
Connor fixes me with an earnest and open look. “Very much, if you’ll allow it.”
Okay, I haven’t exactly been the leader of the King Connor Fan Club, but right now he’s being very sweet, sad and honest. Plus, as Lincoln’s father, I’ll need to get along with him sooner or later.
“A dance would be nice, thank you.” I give my honorary brother a quick peck on the cheek. “Catch you later, Walker.”
Connor and I step onto the dance floor and begin a very slow, quiet and awkward dance. His mismatched eyes scan my face carefully. “I heard you’re thinking of starting an investigation of Acca.”
Great. More Acca-love is coming from the Connor-quarter. What a shocker. I should’ve known better than to agree to dance with this guy. My tone turns to ice. “Word travels fast in Antrum.”
“I’ve thought a lot about what you said back in the kitchen.” He steels his shoulders. “You were absolutely right.”
I can’t believe my ears. “I was?”
“People have been letting me get away with unacceptable behavior for far too long, even Octavia. I want to apologize to you for my actions. Sincerely.”
“I’m not the one you should apologize to.”
“I already spoke to Lincoln.”
“And?” I scan the dance floor, seeing Lincoln dancing with Octavia. He’s smiling from ear to ear. My heart lightens. That’s a good thing.
“My son seemed very pleased. I made a vow to him that I’d like to repeat to you, if that’s acceptable.”
“Sure.”
“In this Acca investigation, I want to do whatever I can to help. I’ve spent far too long under their thumb. My heart’s wish is for you and my son to have a strong rule, whatever that takes. Your happiness is what’s really important to me. I see that now.”
My breath catches with surprise. Is this the same guy I yelled at before the showdown with Adair? I soak the open and earnest look in Connor’s eyes. It’s true. He’s really changed. “Wow. I don’t know what to say.”
“Say I can help you. That’s all I ask.”
“Yes, we’d love the help. Thank you, Connor.” And I mean it.