Chapter Five #2
She didn’t know how much longer she wanted to spend on her honeymoon, but taking breaks for dressmaking would help her extend the warm feeling that she got when she saw Azreen. If she were careful, it could be a lifelong honeymoon.
* * * *
When they eased apart, Reynal’s gaze was searching hers for hesitation. Whatever was on her face must have been the right thing because he smiled and ran a thumb over her lips.
“What’s left on the list?”
She swallowed and could still taste him. “Uh, everything is done, the place is as it was when we arrived. Sable is an excellent photographer and probably could use some proper equipment, but otherwise, I think I can go and get myself some lunch. Wait, do you think my car is drivable?”
“I will have it delivered to your home. Would you like to go for breakfast?”
Krys nodded. “That would be nice. A chance to sit before this week flattens me.”
He put his arm around her, and they started to walk to the front drive, where her poor, abused car was waiting.
He checked his phone. “Dorn has begun proceedings.”
“About my car?”
“And the assault. I have gone on record as to the extent of the bruising. Vaia doesn’t know yet, does she?”
“Nope. She’s still in her cake- and dancing-induced haze.”
He chuckled. “I think there is more than cake involved.”
“Oh. That.”
“That is an important part of a marriage. Not all of it, but definitely an enjoyable portion.”
She smiled, and as they rounded the corner, her car was missing. The SUV limo was waiting.
He chuckled. “I had it brought to your home. It looks good.” He showed her his phone.
Her car was there and gleaming in the light. “It looks good. So, since you have me at your mercy, where are we going?”
“I have reservations at Glacier.”
“Oh.” She looked down. “I am not dressed for it.”
“If you are worried, can you not use an illusion?”
Krys snorted. “Not after last night. They are emergency only right now. If you stop at my house, I can do a five-minute makeover.”
He chuckled. “We have some time. We can do that.”
He briefed the driver and helped her into the SUV. When he was in around the other side and settled, they were off.
“Why are you worried about the dress requirement?”
“Well, pixies touting the skill capabilities of ladies who like spicy books aren’t really up Normic’s alley.”
He looked at her sweatshirt. “I like it. Are you ready for everything?”
“Nope. I don’t have my e-reader, cuffs, and dagger.”
Reynal smiled slowly. “Is that why we are going back to your house?”
She laughed. “That’s a little advanced for the first date.” She pulled her sweatshirt out to look at the image. “I don’t even have a strapless nighty. I am not even sure how it would stay up.”
“Based on the fit, lacing.”
She looked down at it. “I will have to ask the artist.”
He looked down. “Are there cuffs on the bedposts?”
“Apparently. You can stop staring anytime.”
Reynal shook his head. “Nope. Sorry. I must catch all the details. How long have you had your wings?”
“Since the wave. The fucker hit me hard. Just like Amy. Both of us bashed around like cat toys.”
“What manifestations do you have?”
“Well, the big ass frost pixie, my mage skills sort of, and then a weather witch sort of situation.”
“Why do you say sort of for the mage skills?”
“I never finished my courses. Mom and Dad needed help at the shop, so I had to stop my studies and come home, but I bought a few books on cantrips. Then the wave hit, and kaboom. I suddenly had enough power to make the cantrips look like powerful spells, and they can hold as long as I need them to.”
“Cantrips? Those are cantrips?” His eyes were wide.
“I haven’t had a chance to go back to school to get my mage certifications. I took marketing and event planning courses via distance learning, and that is how I got the job with the XIA.”
“Your clan didn’t offer to help?”
“We were just one darn level too low to apply for funding. Normic doesn’t like Dad.
Couldn’t believe he is so related to someone so common.
He wasn’t any fonder of me.” Krys grinned.
“He really didn’t like it when I became something mythical in front of him with enough power radiating that could take his wolf and smash it flat.
He was not a fan, but I don’t want to challenge him for clan leader.
I think Amy and Emmers should ease into that slot when Normic and Keel retire. ”
“Why don’t you want to lead?”
“Because I know what it is like to be at the bottom, and I would much rather be a pain in the ass down there.” She smirked.
Reynal smiled. “So, you’re a bottom?”
She went hot, cold, and cleared her throat. “Shut. Up.”
He leaned in and kissed her.
She leaned into him and slid her hand into his hair; she made a fist and jerked his head back. His eyes went wide with shock. She let him go and giggled.
They were close to her home, and she got her keys out.
When the vehicle stopped, he was still stunned, and she hopped out and ran into her house, grabbed a basic sheath dress, and got changed.
She was dressed and ready, her hair smoothed with a brush.
She grabbed her bag and keys and was out of her house in six minutes.
She walked back to the SUV, and when she passed the passenger side where Reynal was, he opened the door and pulled her carefully inside.
She blinked up at his focused gaze and grinned. “Oh, good. You recovered.”
The kiss wasn’t a surprise, and the fist in her hair was careful. He pulled her in completely and closed the door. The car started moving, and she held on tight.
When he tugged her head back, her thighs flexed, and he smiled. She stared up at him and slowly licked her lips. “So, lunch?”
He grinned and lifted her to her seat. She buckled in.
“Snacking on you all day would definitely be an option.”
“Don’t you have a day job?”
He chuckled. “I do, but I only sleep four hours a night.”
“Oh. So, lots of time to kill.”
Reynal nodded. “Yes.”
They pulled up in front of the Glacier, and she blushed when she realized that they had skipped the parking lot and were at the front door. She put on her blue hair and lips, and Reynal smiled. “Hiding?”
“Diverting attention. It’s different.”
He smiled. “I don’t care what your pigmentation is as long as I am your date.”
The door was opened, and Reynal stepped out. He extended his hand to her, and she remembered to unbuckle the seatbelt and slide over. She took his hand, and he eased her out of the mayor’s office’s SUV.
She got to her feet and stood next to him. Arlond was on the door, and he moved to open it for them. The blast of cool air was heaven for her, but Reynal just smiled and started to glow a little. He was warm, and that made her laugh a little.
He announced his name for the reservation, and the hostess nodded nervously. “Sir, can you reduce the heat a little?”
He smiled. “Of course.” He pulled the aura in.
The woman smiled. “Thank you. Your table is this way, sir.”
Reynal kept hold of her hand as they walked through the restaurant, bustling with Sunday morning energy.
They were steered to a very nice small table near the family section for the clan leader. Amy was having brunch with Emmers and her two new dads.
Reynal held her chair, and she settled with a smile. He sat next to her instead of across from her. His long fingers took hers, and he bent his head to kiss her knuckles.
She smiled. “Wow. You flirt to win.”
He winked. “Look at the menu. You haven’t been eating properly.”
“When I am working, I am a forager. You would not believe where I keep granola bars and beef jerky.”
He chuckled, and she grinned. This was a fun way to spend a day.
When they had ordered their meals, he looked at her. “What are you organizing this week?”
“Well, there is the XIA gala on Thursday. That’s just at a standard ballroom with in-house catering. Not a lot to do. I am more liaison than anything else.”
He nodded. “So, not too bad. Do you dress up?”
“Of course. I mean, it isn’t the fairy godmother outfit, but it will do.”
Amy came over and grinned. “Krys! I thought that was you.”
“Yup. It’s me. I survived.”
“That was an amazing wedding. Vaia looked so happy.”
“She still does. She can’t get the grin off her lips, and Azreen is really trying. At least, I think that’s what he’s doing.”
Amy snorted and sat down. Emmers was talking with Normic and keeping an eye on Amy. “So, if someone wanted to get a feel for the place, could you do a tour?”
“Engaged?”
“Not yet, but not too long now. Emmers is a stickler for pushing the rules.”
“That doesn’t make sense.”
“I know.” Amy grinned.
Krys kept her hand touching Reynal’s. “So, you are going to be at the ball on Thursday and the wedding on Saturday?”
“Yup. Vaia already got me my dress for Thursday. It shifts with me, which is so cool.”
Krys smiled.
Amy asked, “What are your plans for the day?”
“Oh, I am going to visit Axa in hospital and see how she is doing. She is Vaia’s friend and my cousin, but I worry. There is something weird there.”
“The XIA will investigate if she has any memory of the event.” Amy nodded.
Krys smiled. “I just hope that someone found her dwarf medic alert bracelet.”
Amy paused. “What?”
“A dwarf medic alert bracelet. She’s been in a coma because the medication has been keeping her under. Now that it was analyzed and understood, she’s up and on the way to recovery.” She squeezed Reynal’s hand.
He squeezed her hand back with a smile.
Amy looked between the two of them. “Wait. Am I butting in on a first date?”
Krys smiled. “Yup.”
“Oh, geez. Okay, I will scuttle back to my table. I think they have decided how many ice cubes I am worth or something. Talk with you later?”
“We can grab lunch on Friday after the ball.”
“Oh, I get to see Emmers in a tux.” Amy grinned. She came over and hugged Krys.
“Fine, but don’t go to his place on prom night. Save that for after Neekil and Hannah’s wedding.”