Chapter Nine #2
The gaggle of women glared at the couple. Clearly, the cause of their catty behavior from earlier: they were jealous.
“Shall I restock the strawberry cupcakes, Mister Evan?”
I turned to Miles. “I can do it. You should go dance with Ellie.”
The pretty girl in question stood at the edge of the dance floor, watching the other couples twirl and spin around.
Brown hair fell in soft ringlets around her heart-shaped face, and she wore a yellow dress with white trim, reminding me of a daisy.
It matched the shade of Miles’ pocket square.
She smiled over at us and waved, cheeks full and eyes bursting with love.
A love aimed at an equally lovesick demi-bear.
Miles returned the wave and sighed under his breath. “I couldn’t possibly leave you here alone to work in my place. We’re a team. You’re also still healing and need to—”
“I feel great. Stop worrying about me.” I gently pushed him in Ellie’s direction. “Look how pretty she is. Go dance with your girl before I dance with her myself.”
He smiled. “I wouldn’t mind you dancing with her.”
“Yeah, you would.” I snickered. “I have two left feet and would accidentally step on her toes. Maybe even trip and take her down with me. We’d slam into the cake and cause a disastrous chain reaction of falls and slips around the ballroom. Like Final Destination but with dessert.”
The fuzzy ears jutting from his hair twitched as he cocked his head.
“Never mind that,” I said, flicking my hand. “But seriously, go dance. I can manage on my own for a while.”
“Only if you’re sure.”
“I am.”
Miles tipped his head to me before approaching Ellie. Her face lit up, and she slipped her hand in his. The two then joined the other dancing couples.
“Kuya will help Evan bring out more yummy cakes.”
An instant smile formed on my lips.
Kuya wore a dark green suit with a mint-colored vest. Strands of his reddish-brown hair had been pulled back, not quite long enough to form a bun but almost. A shimmery dark powder and black liner covered both his lids, making his rainbow eyes pop.
“Whoa. You look amazing.”
My cat boy bestie smiled. “Kuya is in his fancy clothes.”
“Fancy clothes and wearing makeup.”
“Lady Alina put it on Kuya.” His smile shook at the edges. “She is very nice to Kuya. Wanted him to look handsome for the ball.”
Alina’s genuine kindness made it hard to dislike her. Neither she nor Sawyer had a say in their arrangement. The engagement had been forced on them by their parents.
Before I could suggest we go to the kitchen for more cupcakes, Peter and Alice joined us near the dessert table, holding trays of treats.
“Y’all are the best,” I said, helping them restock the table.
“I know.” Alice flipped her pixie hair and winked.
Peter, who wasn’t nearly as extroverted, kindly smiled at me before leaving with the now empty tray.
Kuya grabbed a cupcake and bit into it. His head then shot toward the left, followed by a big, toothy grin.
“Good evening.” Prince Sawyer stopped in front of us and bowed his head. His white dress suit and red cloak gave him a regal appearance, especially when paired with the thin gold crown atop his golden hair.
“Good evening, my prince.” I returned the gesture. “Can I get you something to eat?”
“Gratitude for the offer, but I must decline.” He smiled. “The downside to wearing white. I’d end up wearing whatever I ate.”
I laughed. “You sound like me. I’m surprised I haven’t spilled anything on myself yet.”
Sir Noah, Ban, and Finnian stood a short distance behind him. The guards wore their usual armor, but Sir Noah was decked out in a dress uniform fit for a royal knight: gold embellishments on his wrist cuffs and an ornamental dagger sheathed at his hip.
“Your Highness.” Callum bowed his head and stepped closer. My cinnamon roll had been standing against the wall behind the dessert table ever since guests began piling in, never far from my reach.
“Lieutenant.” Sawyer greeted him with a nod. “I assume you’re guarding our Evan this evening?”
“Aye, sir. Captain Maddox is overseeing security of the grounds.”
“I have no doubt you’ll keep him safe,” the prince said. “Though please don’t forget to care for him in other ways as well. Such as joining him for a dance.”
The dimple showed in Callum’s cheek. “It would be an honor.”
Ban shifted in place. A subtle movement I would’ve missed had I blinked. His gray eyes flickered to me before lowering again. The middle of his brow crinkled.
“Are you boys hungry?” I asked. “I can put a good word in with the baker and slip you some cookies.”
“You’re much too kind, young Evan.” Finnian gave me a warm smile. “Yet, I regret to say we must decline your generous offer. At least for the time being.”
Ban’s shoulders seemed to slump.
Yep. I was going to sneak him one anyway.
“Kuya will eat the yummies in your place.” He hopped over to the dessert table and snatched a lemon cookie, running it beneath his nose. His long tail swished in the air as he tore into it. Crumbs dusted the front of his vest.
“Master Kuya,” an older man then said, appearing beside him. He had a thin gray mustache and wore rounded glasses, a black suit, and pointed, shiny black dress shoes. “Have you learned nothing from our lessons?”
Oh, so he must be the “mean old man” Kuya told me about who instructed him on etiquette.
With a squeak, Kuya bounded over and hid behind Sawyer. “Kuya has gone away.”
Sawyer stifled a laugh before addressing the older man. “Good evening, Professor Crane. I assure you that Kuya remembers all you taught him. He merely let his excitement get the better of him this once.”
Professor Crane puffed out his chest. “Master Kuya, you are to stand before me this instant.”
Slowly, Kuya inched over to him, the cookie crumbs still on his vest.
“Head up.” The man snapped his fingers.
Kuya obeyed.
“Now.” He rested both hands behind his back. “How should a gentleman behave when attending a royal ball?”
The demi-cat changed right before my eyes. He held his head higher, squared his shoulders, and dusted the crumbs off his vest. “My apologies, Professor Crane. It appears Prince Sawyer was correct. I let my gluttonous tendencies get the best of me. However, it won’t happen again.”
My jaw dropped.
Callum mirrored my expression and leaned over to whisper in my ear, “Is that the same Kuya we know and love?”
“Nope,” I responded. “That’s fancy Kuya.”
It was like the case of the body snatchers.
Professor Crane, seemingly pleased, bowed to the prince and excused himself. Probably on his way to yap at someone else for poor posture or being a messy eater.
Sawyer visibly fought a smile. One that spread wide across his lips as soon as the older man was out of sight. He wrapped his arms around Kuya. “Never change, kitten. Not for anyone. I love you just as you are.”
Kuya grinned and flicked his tail. Purrs rumbled in his chest as he nuzzled Sawyer. “Kuya loves his prince too. So, so much.” He closed his eyes. “More than Kuya loves cake.”
Usually, Sawyer wasn’t so bold in his affections for Kuya. As a prince, he knew he had a certain image to uphold. But with their time limited, he didn’t seem to care anymore. He hugged Kuya close and petted the back of his reddish-brown hair, murmuring things too quiet for me to hear.
Emotion clamped down on my sternum, and I averted my attention, giving them a private moment.
Callum met my eyes and softly smiled, reaching for my hand.
We’d once thought our love was impossible too.
Fate had other ideas, leading us where we needed to go: to each other.
Hopefully, the same happened for Sawyer and Kuya.
Their paths might have to stray for a while, but I prayed it’d eventually lead them back together.
“My prince?” Sir Noah bowed his head. “It’s nearly time for the announcement.”
Sawyer sighed and withdrew from Kuya. “I suppose we should find Lady Alina and ready ourselves.”
Given that the ball was being held in celebration of their engagement, all in attendance already knew the news, but the official declaration was needed. A public showing of Voltas and Bremloc forging an alliance through marriage.
“We’ll speak again soon, my friend,” Sawyer told me before taking his leave. Kuya waved at me and went with him, Sir Noah following close behind.
“Psst.” I motioned for the guards to come over.
A mix of curiosity and amusement showed on Finnian’s face as he and Ban stepped toward me.
“For you.” I slipped a cookie to each of them.
“Many thanks, young Evan,” Finnian said. “I shall eat it with honor.”
Ban held the cookie closer to his chest and smiled at me. A full smile, one that smoothed the hard lines of his brow and gave him a sense of boyishness.
The two guards followed Sir Noah.
“He actually smiled,” Callum said. “I didn’t think he knew how.”
I laid my head on his shoulder. “He’s just shy, I think.”
“Shy, yet strong. He’s a great ally to have by your side.” Callum pecked a kiss into my hair. “What do you say to that dance?”
As if I could deny him anything. With my heart full, I led him toward the small orchestra and joined the other dancing couples. He spun me around, drew me back into his chest, and swayed. The song changed, becoming slower, and his movements slowed with it.
“You’re good at this,” I said, letting him lead. Surprisingly, I didn’t stumble even a little. He kept a good hold on me.
“My ma taught me.” Callum brushed aside my bangs before letting his hand fall back to my waist. “She said a gentleman should know how to dance with his lady. Or a little lord in my case.”
“Stop.” I pushed my face against his collar.
“You’re the shy one now.” He rested his head on mine and hummed to the song under his breath. He then laughed. “It appears Briar has made a friend.”