Lies in Blood by Angela M Hudson

Author:Angela M Hudson [Hudson, Angela M]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oakland Press
Published: 2013-10-24T04:00:00+00:00

9

“Jase.” I leaped off the last step and ran into his arms at full speed, well, full human speed.

He caught me gracefully, gave me a quick squeeze, and placed me gently back on the ground. “You’re awfully cheery today, Ara. What’s up?”

“He went for it, Jase. I don't know if it was just pure luck or if David woke up on the right side of bed, but he approved it.” I stood back, swiping my hair from my face.

“Approved what?”

“Your lab, silly!”

His eyes narrowed, his brows forming two lines in the middle, just like David when he was utterly confused. “When?”

“I talked to him on the phone this morning, then I went to see Walt to get the budget plan. Jase, you have the full backing of the House, and an unlimited budget.”

He laughed. “Really?”

“Mm-hm.”

“Ara, that’s…” He scratched his head, still looking a little mixed by his emotions. “That’s great!”

“I know, right?” I tapped his arm once. “There’s a condition, though.”

“What’s that?”

“I have to have a guard present whenever we’re researching or training.”

“That's”—he nodded, smiling—“yeah, that's fine. More than fine.”

“I knew you'd say that.” I clapped once, bouncing on my toes. “We have to celebrate.”

He grinned. “And I know just the place to go.”

“Out on the town?” I joked.

“Better.” He patted my arm as he walked past. “Have everyone meet at the lighthouse tonight.”

“Ooh, lighthouse party.”

“Yeah.” He walked backward, the reality clearly having sunk in to his smile. “It’s a tradition around these parts.”

“To celebrate on a lighthouse?”

“Yeah.” He started up the stairs. “And tell Blade he better be there.”

“I will.” I watched him disappear into the second-floor corridor, then turned to look back at Falcon, who was standing inconspicuously in the shadows nearby. “You coming, Fal?”

With a soldier-like step forward, his hands clasped at his front, he said, “You’ll understand if I don’t.”

“So, you don’t approve.”

“I can’t say I do.”

“Of what? The lab or the party?”

He cleared his throat. “Blade’s in the library preparing for your lesson on royal popularity, if you’re looking for him.”

“Right.” I nodded once. “I get it. You don’t approve of either.”

“Only because both situations put you in position to end up in trouble.”

“Blade will be there tonight, and you’ll be there at every training session.”

“I wish I could say that gives me comfort.”

“Well”—I turned away—“it’s too bad, Falcon. If David agrees, you can bloody-well get over it.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” he said resolutely, following me up the stairs.

I wished I could tell him to go away. He’d made me mad now, and I really didn’t even want to be in the same space as him. In my old life, I could’ve stormed off and slammed my bedroom door, but this version of me had to wear any disdain under her sleeve and express only composure. It sucked.

“I’m sorry, Ara.”

I stopped and angled my neck slowly to see Falcon. He’d stayed about six paces behind me, hanging his head. “What for?”

“You have every right to celebrate this. What happened at training the other day was spectacular, and if it weren’t for Jason, it wouldn’t have happened.

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