Chapter 25

                                    

                                          
Andra kept an eye on him.
Ryan was displeased, because her idea of this meant she was across from him in the booth at Rousseau's, where he'd arranged to meet Aurora using a small lavender-scented note that Freya sent into her pocket. 
"You really don't have to be here," said Ryan in a sing-song voice, downing the rest of his scotch.
She stared at him in disbelief, taking another small sip of her pink lemonade. "I was her friend too, you know!"
His cough sounded like the word 'third wheel.' "Hey," warned Andra. "I know you, Ry, you could either end up distracted and not talk to her about the Mikaelsons or god forbid you'd abandon the alliance I have worked to maintain and do whatever Aurora asks of you."
"Well, I like most of them but they are not my favorite people. Klaus may be civil with you but I will never forget what he did to Gia or what he tried to do to you."
"All the more reason for me to be here. You offered this in front of them, and the point of it was to benefit that family and in the long run keep Hope safe. We stick to the plan as much as possible. If you and Aurora are meant to be, that will happen even with the memory loss and the problems."
"You know I love you Malia, but you can be a control freak sometimes."
"This control freak is trying to keep the city in one piece and keep us all safe. Not everyone we care about is immortal like us. I have to always prepare for the worst. You taught me that. You were also the one that told me never to let my priorities slip because of who I love." 
He scowled. "It's different with her."
"You'd do anything for her, I know. And I'd do anything for Marcel. I care about him a lot, Ryan, and I won't risk Klaus dying because I'd lose Marcel," she leaned forward, "which is something I'm already freaked out about because he's in The Strix! I want to see what Aurora has to say, given her brother runs that little cult!"
"Fine," he sighed. "But can you order onion rings or something? I need just one to nibble on while we wait."
Andra ate most of the onion rings, giving Ryan his one for courage. She stopped when she saw him abruptly stop chewing, jaw hanging as his eyes lit up. She didn't need to turn around to realize Aurora had arrived.
"Hey," said Ryan, shooting up from the table. "Right here."
Aurora's heels stopped clicking against the floor. "Well, you certainly look familiar."
"This is a lot to explain," said Ryan, beckoning for her to sit beside Andra. "But I'd like to start by mentioning how good it is to see you again. You are just as gorgeous as ever."
The woman smiled tightly, perhaps annoyed that this stranger was calling her goreous and talking about something she didn't remember. "I find it difficult to say the same." She leaned forward, curtsying before she sat beside Andra. "Aurora de Martel. And you are–?"
"Andra Clarke," said the female golem, gesturing to her brother, "and Ryan Clarke."
Ryan shook her hand, kissing the back of it. "A votre service, belle dame," he said, which caused Aurora to let out a little giggle. (T: Enchanted to meet you, beautiful lady.)
"Such fluent French," said Aurora, tone only slightly warmer. "Well-traveled, are you?"
"Très. J'ai passé beaucoup de temps en France. Avec toi. Je promets de l'expliquer plus tard, mais nous avons d'abord des affaires à régler." (T: Very. I spent a lot of time in France. With you. I promise to explain it later, but we have some business to settle first.) He cleared his throat. "To cut to the chase, the Mikaelsons–"