Free United Eden by Nicole Williams Page B

society locked at the lips, chosen one or not.
    So what were you two doing in the coat closet? Wil iam asked, shoving Patrick to the side without any real force.
    Barely swaying, Patrick stuck his hands in his pockets and grinned at the empty hal before us. I was professing my undying love to her.
    I would have skidded to a stop had I not been attached to Wil iams back. I shot Patrick a glare that he didnt miss. Patricks approach of hiding the truth in plain sight had thrown me. I was planning on tel ing Wil iam and I was certain Patrick knew I would, but now wasnt the time. Not with Patrick so close and hundreds of Immortals to serve as witnesses to Wil iam decapitating his brother.
    Join the club, Wil iam replied good-naturedly, taking it as a joke as Patrick had intended.
    Patrick glanced back at me, his smugness not meant to be missed.
    We al came to a stop at the closed door at the hal ways end. I was stil wrapped around him, but I already missed Wil iams closeness.
    Unless you want around a thousand Immortals to witness you . . .”Patrick stared at our positioning, amused” riding Wil iam, Id suggest dismounting, cowgirl.
    Wil iam released my legs at the same time I unwound my arms from his neck. Standing on firm ground, Id never felt so unstable.
    Here we go, Patrick said, pushing open the door. How about this Betrothal Bal , we do our best to blend in?
    The trio of us shared a remembered grin as we ducked through the door. Our smiles faded in the same amount of time it took the gazes of those closest to us to look the three of us over like we were a science experiment gone wrong.
    Way to blend in, Wil iam muttered over to us.
    Its the tux, I stated, looking to the side. The dude waiting at the pearly gates cal ed, Patrick. He said he wants his glowing white suit back.
    This is imported silk, hand-tailored, and cost a fortune. If anyone even tries to take this baby from me,”he ran his fingers up to his col ar, popping it up rock-star style”divinity no exception, Il throw down.
    Hate to break up the two of your stimulating conversation happening here, Wil iam whispered over to us, but were only drawing more attention.
    Maybe we should mingle a bit?
    Wel if you two werent dressed for some runway show for Wal-Mart, they wouldnt be staring, Patrick snapped, sliding one hand into his jacket pocket. Actual y, wait, Im with you. Of course theyd be staring.
    Wil iam sighed, beginning to weave through the crowds. Goodbye, Patrick. He looked back at me and I knew from that alone he was asking me to come with him, wishing he could lead me around the room with his hand rooted at the smal of my back.
    I fol owed after him. Wel stop stealing your thunder, I said back to Patrick.
    He grabbed hold of my eyes and didnt let them go. Whats thunder without his trusty sidekick lightning?
    Patrick may have been a mystery to a lot of people, but he was easy to read for me and I didnt need further clarification as to where he was going with this. A loud, booming noise alone in the dark, I answered him, keeping it light.
    Ouch, was his only response as he disappeared into the crowd.
    I turned and hurried my pace to catch up to Wil iam, wishing I could pause for a minutes time to enjoy the result of the endless hours Abigail, Cora, and I had sacrificed planning this thing.
    When Joseph lunged in front of Wil iam, his face so serious he looked more like his older clone than Id ever seen him, I knew stopping to enjoy the fruits of our labors wasnt going to be happening any time soon.
    Because I love you both and dont want to see you suffer a slow, painful death, Im going to give you a warning, although if you tel Cora Im the one that told you, Im a dead man, Joseph said, his voice low and hurried. Or at least never sharing a bed with my wife for the rest of eternity.
    Whats up, Joseph? Wil iam asked, angling his body at me. The only intimacy we were al owed in public.
    Joseph leaned in, scanning the area like he expected her to materialize