Chapter 28 Surprise for You #2
“His condition has improved remarkably since you first brought him here,” the king noted. “Well done.”
At a subtle gesture from Casimir, Brummy extended his paw to the king, who shook it with appropriate gravity, as if conducting an important diplomatic exchange.
“We’ve been working on his manners, although some members of the household are better influences than others.” Casimir’s eyes slid to Zane, who clutched his chest in mock offense.
“I’m an excellent influence! I taught him how to high-five! Essential life skill!”
“Brummy has come a long way,” I said with a smile.
“As have you,” the king agreed with a nod.
From the corner of my eye, I noticed Foster slipping away from our group, drifting toward a cluster of elegantly dressed she-wolves. He moved with the casual confidence of a man who knew how attractive he was and how to use it.
“And there he goes,” Zane snickered into his cupped hand. “Ten bucks says Fosterlicious has at least two ladies entertaining him in a closet within the hour.”
“Zane!” I hissed, feeling heat climb my cheeks.
“What? Just stating facts.” He waggled his eyebrows.
“I’m right here, fucker.” Foster’s smooth, rich voice came from behind us, and I whirled around to smile at him, glad he’d come back. He handed me a glass full of something pale gold and fizzy. “Just went to get Little Boss a drink, dumbass.”
“Champagne,” Casimir leaned down to whisper in my ear. “Have you had it before?”
I shook my head, wrinkling my nose as tiny bubbles tickled it.
“Small sips, then.”
“Yeah, butterfly. It’s not as potent as Goblin Moonshine, but we don’t want you climbing the fountain, either.
That’s my schtick.” Zane straightened his tie with great dignity, then ruined it by flashing his wedding ring again when a passing gentleman glanced my way.
“She’s taken! Triple-taken, actually. Move along, peasant. Nothing to see here.”
“Show some respect.” Koa cuffed him lightly on the back of the head. “We’re guests here.”
“Forgive my brother, Your Majesties,” Casimir sighed. “We’re still working on his public behavior.”
“No apologies necessary,” Queen Lilah said with a laugh. “It’s refreshing, to be honest.”
The king’s gaze, however, went from Casimir, who was scanning exits and assessing potential threats even at a royal gathering, to Koa, who had procured a plate of delicacies from a passing server and was offering me first choice.
The king stared at Foster for a moment as the giant wolf shifter hovered over me, then at Zane, who had launched into an animated conversation with a nearby couple, gesturing with his left hand to ensure his wedding ring was on full display.
“Yes, hello, my wife married three of us,” I heard him say with pride. “I know, I know. She’s gorgeous, we’re gorgeous, it’s all very tragic for you normal people.”
“Zane,” Casimir warned, but there was amusement in his eyes.
“What? I’m just getting ahead of the gossip.” He winked at me. “Strategic public relations.”
I pressed my lips together to hide my smile, and King Julian turned to me with a bemused expression.
“You seem to be something of a monster whisperer.”
The observation caught me off guard, but I met his gaze steadily.
“I love everything about my new life with them.”
And I did. Six months ago, I’d been starving, captive, and alone.
Now I had a family who would tear apart anyone who threatened me, and who let me be strong in my own right.
I had a home filled with laughter and safety.
I had magic flowing freely through my veins again, no longer siphoned away by Arabesque’s cruelty.
A subtle change rippled through the room, a momentary hush followed by a buzz of conversation that now had an undercurrent of interest. I turned to see what was happening, and my heart gave a little leap of surprise and joy.
King Lucian Ro?u walked through the grand entrance, elegant in a tailored black suit.
On his arm was Kaori, equally elegant in a deep purple gown that complemented her caramel skin and black curls.
Sebastian trailed just behind them, his eyes scanning the room in a way that reminded me of Casimir: Alert, assessing, and missing nothing.
How the traitor in the vampire court had evaded him for so long was a mystery to me. I only hoped he caught the turncoat soon; not only was it a dangerous and potentially deadly threat to my family, the loose end was tormenting my new big brother.
The trio made their way to King Julian and Queen Lilah and exchanged formal greetings, the picture of diplomatic courtesy.
I watched, still stunned by their unexpected appearance, until Lucian’s silver eyes found mine over Queen Lilah’s shoulder.
My surprise and delight broke free and, before my husbands could react, I darted forward and threw my arms around my father-in-law.
“Papa! I didn’t know you were coming!”
“Hello, daughter.” He kissed my temple. “You look radiant, as always.”
I turned to embrace Kaori next, inhaling the scent of old books and jasmine that always seemed to cling to her.
“It’s so good to see you, Seri!”
“You, too!”
When Sebastian opened his arms next, I stepped into them without hesitation.
“Saved the best for last, I see,” he joked, lifting me off my feet in a bear hug.
An arm like an iron bar suddenly wrapped around my waist, dragging me backward until I collided with Casimir’s chest. Koa moved to flank us, his expression thunderous, and Sebastian threw his hands up, laughing.
“No touching,” Casimir muttered, but not with any real concern, just the reflexive protectiveness that flared whenever anyone came too close to me.
“Seb!” Zane draped himself across Sebastian’s shoulders. “My favorite eldest half-brother! Glad to see you know how to take a night off!”
While my husbands and Sebastian bantered, Brummy trotted over to Papa and Kaori, tail wagging. He sat politely in front of them and extended his paw, just as he had for the werewolf monarchs.
“Look at this distinguished gentleman.” Kaori shook his paw with a grin.
Papa inclined his head to the wolf, a gesture of respect that seemed to please Brummy immensely. His tail wagged harder, threatening to sweep several champagne flutes off a nearby table.
“That’s Zaddy’s good boy,” Zane crooned, and Brummy’s tongue lolled out in a happy canine grin, basking in the praise.
“Zaddy?” Sebastian eyebrows flew up.
“Don’t. Ask.” Casimir finally released his iron grip on my waist, although he stayed close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his body.
“Some of us have loving, nurturing relationships with our fur baby,” Zane informed Sebastian loftily, “and some of us are boring killjoys who wanted to vote him off the island.”
“He tried to take my throat during his first bath,” Casimir grumbled.
“And now he wears a top hat and shakes hands with royalty,” Zane countered with a sharp smirk. “Who’s the real winner here?”
Two more familiar faces came out of the crowd.
Betas Luke and Gisela MacGregor approached with four children in tow, two babies and two toddlers walking hand-in-hand.
A flash of recognition sparked in the boys’ eyes, which surprised me.
Prince Augustus and Callum MacGregor were only three; I didn’t think they’d remember.
“Dire!” Prince Augustus shouted, pointing at Brummy with undisguised glee. “The dire came back!”
“And the pretty lady!” Callum’s face lit up with the uncomplicated joy of a child.
They charged forward, making a beeline for Brumous, who perked up at the attention. To his credit, he sat very still as the two flung their arms around his neck, although his tail thumped against the marble floor hard enough to echo.
“Gently, boys,” Beta Luke cautioned, but didn’t seem worried.
“He has a hat!” the little prince exclaimed, reaching up to touch it.
“It’s for the party.” I crouched down to their level. “He’s dressed up, just like you.”
“He’s the prince of dires,” Callum declared very seriously, and I smiled, watching Brummy enjoy their petting.
“Ha!” Zane barked. “Brumster says, ‘Smalls nice. Pet good.’ ”
As the adults around us chuckled, Callum suddenly looked up at me, his little brow furrowed in confusion.
“Where’s your baby?”
Ice flooded my veins as I stood up, and thankfully, Brummy intervened by giving Callum puppy kisses, making him giggle.
Koa’s hand found my elbow, his dark eyes wide with worry, and I shook my head with a wobbly smile.
“This is Prince Valerian,” Luke was saying with the quiet pride of a well-loved uncle. “Almost six months old now.”
The baby was all round cheeks and curious eyes, so different from the last time I’d seen him. I touched his tiny hand, marveling at the warmth and miniature fingernails.
“He’s beautiful,” Kaori cooed over the boy.
“And this is our daughter, Eula.” Gisela adjusted the baby girl in her arms. Unlike her brother Callum with his shock of red hair, little Eula had inherited her mother’s dark brown locks. “She just turned three months.”
“Oh, she’s precious.” Kaori stared longingly at the baby.
“Would you like to hold her?”
When she nodded with bright eyes, Gisela transferred her daughter to Kaori, who cradled the baby with natural ease. I watched as Papa’s gaze lingered on his beloved holding a child, something stirring in his silver eyes.
“Would you like to hold Valerian?” Luke offered.
Before I could answer, Zane piped up from behind me.
“No, no, no! Holding one will only make her want one, and we have an agreement! No oopsie babies!”
“Zane!” Heat crawled up my neck.
But Luke just laughed, putting the prince into my waiting arms. The last baby I’d held had been my sister. Small and frail and far too new to the world. Prince Valerian was sturdy and solid, his tiny fingers grabbing at my hair with surprising strength.
“Hello, little one,” I murmured, swaying gently.
As Queen Lilah patiently extracted my curls from her son’s pudgy hand, King Julian cleared his throat, and I realized I’d been so absorbed in the children that I’d forgotten we were surrounded by royalty.
“We have a surprise for you,” he announced, making everyone around him fall silent.
“For me?” I raised my eyebrows in question as I handed Prince Valerian to his mother.
King Julian raised his chin and looked over my shoulder, and I turned around to find something I thought I’d lost forever.