Aspen (The Dragon Kings #2)(33)

Aspen was floored by how quickly Sid and Skye were able to make up a story. Apollo plopped down in the seat next to Aspen and put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close.

“I, for one, hope she decides to get back together with my son. She’s good for him.”

Aspen’s mom and dad exchanged a look, but before they could say anything, Sid spoke up.

“I wasn’t expecting you, Dad.”

“I’m only in town for a night or two. I’m getting too old for all this travel.”

A look of concern passed over Sid’s face, but Aspen knew he couldn’t say anything as long as her parents were there.

The rest of dinner was awkward, and Aspen had never been so happy to see her parents leave. She walked them to the door.

Mom hovered in the entryway. “I’m not sure how I feel about this if you and Sid are getting back together. Maybe you should come home. There haven’t been any more disappearances. They’re talking about opening the park up for Christmas.”

“We are safer here. Seriously.”

“I don’t like you living with your boyfriend.”

“Mom, I’m eighteen.”

“But still in high school.”

Aspen resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Sissy left home for college when she was seventeen. I’m not a child.”

Rowan laughed, and Mom looked at him. Of course his eyes were glued on Skye.

“Rowan looks happy,” Mom said.

“He has a thing for Skye.”

Dad chuckled. “He sets his sights high.”

“Yeah. But he is happier than I’ve ever seen him. He gets along well with Sid and Theo too. He works out with them every day.”

Mom’s eyes bugged. “Rowan?”

“Yeah, I know.”

Dad pulled Aspen in for a hug. “We just worry about you guys. I’m glad you had someplace to go.”

“I know. Maybe after Christmas we can come home.”

“If they open the park up, I want you both back in your own beds.”

Fat chance of convincing Sid of that, but she didn’t say that to her mom. She just smiled and nodded.

As soon as Aspen closed the door, she went back in search of Sid and Apollo. Rowan and Skye were alone in the kitchen, loading the dishwasher. “Where’d they go?” Aspen asked.

Skye turned around. “Upstairs. Sid’s putting Apollo in the room right next to yours.”

Aspen made her way upstairs and found Apollo sprawled out on a bed and Sid sitting on a chair next to him. She sat on the edge of the bed. “What’s up?”

“Dad was attacked by hawks today.”

“Hawks?”

“Yeah, a swarm of them attacked him and basically shredded his wings. He was lucky he got here. I sent an eagle for Jolantha. She’ll be able to heal the wings. For now, Dad, you should rest.”

“Don’t tell your mother.”

Sid grinned. “I know. I didn’t even tell Jolantha why I needed her, just that she needed to come. She should be here in the morning. Can I get you anything else?”

Apollo shook his head. “I just want to sleep.”

“Of course. Come on, Aspen, let’s leave him be.”

As soon as they got back to their room, Aspen asked the question she didn’t feel comfortable asking in front of Apollo.

“Why did the hawks attack him?”

Sid shrugged. “No idea. The eagles have always been loyal to us, but the hawks have never been terribly friendly. Though they’ve never attacked us before. This just gets weirder and weirder. I don’t know what we’re dealing with.”





The next morning, Sid rolled over to find Aspen already out of bed. But her spot was still warm, so she couldn’t have been gone long.

He peeked in his dad’s room and saw he was still sleeping. Skye and Rowan were in the kitchen.

“Where’s Aspen?”

“Out in the garage with Jolantha. She arrived about thirty minutes ago. Are you going to school today?”

“No. But Aspen should go. Her parents won’t be too happy with us if she stops going to school.”

Sid found the deep purple dragon curled up on the garage floor and Aspen leaning against her brilliant green wings. It was sweltering in there. Sid took off his coat and hat.

Jolantha swiveled her great violet head around. Hello, Obsidian.

Hello.

“Good idea to bring her into the garage,” he said to Aspen.

“It was better than standing out in the cold. Jolantha was telling me stories about before the purple and green dragons became one race.”

“Sounds interesting. I’m going to go wake up my dad. Aspen, you need to go to school.”

She sniffed. “Since when did you become my dad?”

“Since I want your dad to continue to let you stay here. You can drive the Escalade. I’m going to stay home and make sure my dad is okay.” Sid looked at his phone. “You’ve got about thirty minutes.”

Aspen sighed and stood up. “Will you still be here when I get home?” she asked Jolantha.

Jolantha gave her an answer that Sid couldn’t hear, but it made Aspen frown.

“Well, come visit us again.”

Aspen pecked Sid his cheek and went back into the house.