The first sip was heavenly. The second sip was divine. The third sip was... interrupted. The front door swung open suddenly, forcing me to react rather dramatically. I screamed and dove to the floor, spilling my cup of coffee all over the place.
A familiar laughter rang out, making my face burn with humiliation.
"Aria? What the hell are you doing lying in a puddle of coffee?"
Desmond. Damn him.
Before I could answer, in ran Tallis and Henry with a look of alarm. Now I was trying to cover myself very awkwardly with my arms and hands while still lying on the floor.
Tallis started laughing under his breath when he realized what was going on. In an instant he had flashed to the couch and then flashed back to me. Smiling as he helped me up and wrapped the cover around my shoulders.
I pulled it together until it overlapped and covered me better than a nun.
Desmond was still laughing very loudly, when Amelia ran in with a towel wrapped around her. Her hair was dripping wet, carving trails to where her towel clasped.
Henry's eyes got big as his laughter disappeared and turned into a... Did he just wheeze? Amelia noticed everyone staring at her, and the scarlet in her cheeks spread to match mine.
Then she uncomfortably started fidgeting with her towel and stammering. "Sorry... I... um... heard a scream, but I guess it's under... control."
Then she walked backwards to the room while clutching her towel like a shield, abandoning me to deal with the mortifying morning alone. I scowled at her even after she couldn't see me anymore. She felt it.
Desmond shook his head, laughing a little harder now. "Mom was worried how you guys made it through the first night. I can see it's pretty cozy in here, though. She sent me with another pile of groceries. She didn't know how long your other food supply would last."
Tallis shoved Desmond playfully as they walked out to the car, both of them chuckling. I couldn't move. They came back in with several bags, and in a blink, they were all put away.
I finally managed to walk to the room to finish putting on my clothes. Tallis walked in, more than likely not expecting what he saw. I had on my shorts and bra.
His jaw clenched as he swallowed hard, but I didn't try to cover myself.
"I… I'm going to go back to… to working out now. If you need anything, just call," he said through a stutter.
"Thanks," I muttered.
I heard more footsteps comin
g toward us, which prompted me to cover up. I grabbed my shirt and slid it into place just as Desmond poked his head in.
"Well, Aria, I was just coming to say bye. Thanks for the show." He grinned at my embarrassment. Underwear wasn't the same as a bathing suit, and I didn't care what anyone else said.
Desmond turned to Tallis and groaned, "I have to get back. Mom is driving Ayla and me crazy."
Tallis tilted his head, slightly confused. "Why?"
Desmond smiled. "Anesta has stepped down, giving mom the co-head position of the light council."
Tallis's smile grew very large as he spoke excitedly, "What? When did that happen?"
"It happened last night after you left. Anesta told her that she would be the perfect co-head for the council. Being a descendent of Allora would bring the council more power. I was actually shocked when I found out that it was all Anesta's idea.
"Iris and the rest of the committee agreed that it was the best decision. Mom is beyond excited. I bet she's tried on everything she owns twice. I had to look at a hundred-year-old ball gown this morning before I left. She's gone off the deep end trying to find the perfect outfit."
Both of them with their boyish, warm grins was so sweet. So many years his mother had felt isolated from the rest of the magical community. Now she was being given one of the highest honors there was.
"I'll call her after while to tell her congratulations. It's nice to hear about her being happy with magic nowadays," Tallis said through a soft breath, his smile still large and heartwarming.
Desmond nodded. "Hold the phone out when you call. She's been in her squealing voice all day." They both chuckled lightly, and Desmond added, "But I'm going to get on back. I wish Ayla would sting her with some serenity. Maybe my headache would go away if she did."
This time I laughed with them.