Chapter 25: Making Friends

"I can do the dishes," Noelle protested after they'd finished the rest of the food in silence. Sander ignored her and stood. He started loading the dishwasher with ease and confidence of a man who'd done it before.

"It's a fair division of duties. The food was well-cooked," he grumbled.

"You know, your speech is a little odd sometimes, like your brother's. Where are you guys from?"

"Oh, we're from the North. Far North."

"That's what he said, but I was wondering, like where-"

"Now, I know you can cook," Sander cut her off before her questions became too personal. He wasn't about to announce that he was a Dragon shifter banished from his first home, the place that had been his prison on the Isle of Pain these last five hundred years.

"Yes, and I promise this party is going to be great! Everything is prepped-"

"I applaud your culinary skills, they are all fine and good, but I simply can't pretend to be host to 100 people I don't know for a holiday I don't believe in."