“Mi Homma.” Ticker smiled wide, not at all looking flustered from his adventure. He was a tough one and Liv was right that he probably would have given Jock a world of trouble if he’d tried to use him to find treasure.
She held him out and looked him over. “Are you okay, son?”
“Fep, yine!” he answered, smiling.
Mortimer rushed in from down the hallway where he’d been in his office. “Ticker! You got him!” His gaze ran over his son, then to Sophia. “Thank you. I should have known that we’d have the opportunity to thank a Beaufont for rescuing our kiddo.”
Sophia beamed. “I was in the right place at the right time.”
“And humble like your sister,” Mortimer added, smiling wide.
“I’m gonna take Ticker to get some food after the commotion.” Pricilla made for the door.
Mortimer nodded. “Yes, please do. You two rest up and I’ll see you when you return.”
Ticker waved, then took his mother’s hand and hurried for the door. “Dye Bad!”
“Bye, son.” Mortimer waved back at his son. When they’d left, he sighed in relief. “I can’t thank you enough for helping to save Ticker.”
She waved him off. “I’m certain he would have been okay without me, but I’m grateful that I could intervene.”
“Well, not that I wouldn’t help you otherwise, but I’d like to return the momentous favor,” Mortimer stated.
“As luck would have it, I need some information on a mortal and was hoping that you could help me,” Sophia began.
Mortimer lowered his chin and gave her his full attention. “If there’s a mortal you need to find out there, then I’ll make it my top priority. Just give me a name and I’ll locate them.”
Chapter Forty-Five
“You want me to do what?” Evan slathered raspberry jam on a scone.
“It’s no big deal,” Sophia said in a convincing tone, and gave Hiker a tentative expression. “I just need you to marry this mortal.”
“Why me?” Evan narrowed his eyes, a skeptical expression on his face.
“Because you’re an eligible bachelor, and who wouldn’t want to marry you, even if it’s for show?” Sophia argued.
“Wilder could marry her,” he stated and pointed at the other dragonrider.
“He can’t,” Sophia said at once.
“Because?” Evan challenged.
“Because I’d kill him,” Sophia replied matter-of-factly.
“It’s for show though,” Evan countered.
“It’s still marriage.” Sophia was aware that Wilder was smirking at her, seeming to enjoy this.
“And Wilder has a mission,” Hiker stated with confidence as Trin brought out a platter of sausage.
“And Mahkah?” Evan questioned.
“You’re given the easiest, best mission possible, and you’re objecting,” Mama Jamba stated.
“Mahkah needs to help with the dragons,” Hiker imparted.
“Fine,” Evan said with a dramatic sigh. “I’ll marry this mortal, but only if I can seal the deal, if you know what I mean.”
Trin dropped the platter in front of Evan, which made grease splatter on his front.
“Hey!” he complained, then pushed back from the table and ran a napkin over his shirt. “Watch it!”
“Oops,” The cyborg trotted back toward the kitchen, but didn’t look at all apologetic.
“What’s her problem?” Evan sounded offended.
“She’s still adjusting,” Hiker said.
Sophia eyed the kitchen where Trin had disappeared and wasn’t so convinced she’d dropped the breakfast meat because she was still adjusting to things at the Castle.
“And there will be no sealing any deals,” Hiker went on. “You’re to marry this mortal, get her into Roya Lane, and do whatever Sophia needs you to in order to secure this weapon or weapons or whatever we need to fight this unknown danger.”
Sophia had explained to Hiker about the armor from Jeremy Bearimy and the weapon that Subner might be able to help with if he was fixed. Hiker wasn’t as worried as she would have thought. He said that getting armor for the riders and dragons from the esteemed seamster was probably overdue.
The mysterious villain or villains also didn’t seem to bother him much. Hiker appeared very preoccupied, like there were bigger worries for him in the world than having to face something where they needed special armor and weapons from none other than Subner—the weapons expert.
“Then what?” Evan asked. “I divorce this woman? Leave her heartbroken and longing for what she can’t have?”
“Or relieved,” Wilder offered with a laugh.
Evan huffed. “Not to mention that you’re sullying my reputation, Pink Princess. What do I say when some dame asks me if I’ve ever been married? I’ll have to say yes and they’ll think my goods aren’t any good anymore.”
“That’s not why they’ll think that,” Wilder teased.
Trin had returned with a bowl of fruit. She narrowed her eyes at Evan. “There’s nothing wrong with being divorced.” There was an edge to the cyborg’s voice. This was personal for her.
“Of course there isn’t, dear,” Mama Jamba stated with confidence.
“Fine, since I’m the only bachelor here who can entice a stranger to marry me, I’ll do it.” Evan stretched his arms over his head as he leaned back in his chair.
Trin strode for the kitchen. Her foot kicked out the back legs and made Evan tumble over backward—a trick the gang took turns playing on him. He tumbled to the floor with a yell.
“Oops,” Trin said again and disappeared into the kitchen, again not sounding at all apologetic.
NO10JO yelped from the entryway, concerned about Evan after his fall.
“I’m all right, boy.” He pushed up and wiped the dust off his pants. “It appears someone is very klutzy today.” He narrowed his eyes at the kitchen where Trin was making lots of racket.
“Do you have the location for this mortal?” Hiker asked.
Sophia dared to pull out her phone at the table, since it was for work and Hiker had asked. She noticed then that the message from Mortimer had just come through.
She smiled victoriously. “Yep, I’ve got a location.” She gave Evan a playful look. “Ready for a Las Vegas wedding?”
“You know it,” he answered. “The less classy, the better!”
Chapter Forty-Six
“Is it me, or did Mama Jamba forget to turn the heat off in Baton Rouge?” Evan asked after the pair stepped through the portal.
“I think the thermostat in the south is permanently broken,” Sophia replied. “If it makes you feel any better, the sweltering heat gives you a nice glazed donut look.”
“Yes, what every man wants to look like on his wedding day—a fried pastry that makes you fat,” Evan grumbled.
“Well, not you or me since we’re magicians, but your bride is a mortal,” Sophia teased.
“Oh, to not be able to eat your weight in fried foods and not a gain an ounce,” Evan said in mock sadness. “The woes of the mortals.”