Chapter 12 #2
Involved really could mean so many different things, none of which I would be explaining to cranky Rian. “Did Dawn say if she was running late?” I asked innocently.
Rian’s eyes drifted toward me, but snagged on Ringo hiding in my hair. To his credit, he did not comment. “She will be here soon.”
When he said nothing else, the awkward silence stretched on. I really should have known to take my time getting ready. Would have been nice to be the late ones.
A male server dressed similarly to the woman who’d tried to seat us, except with even tighter pants, took our drink orders and headed off.
Crispin and I had both gone first, ordering wine since we were at a wine bar, but we might have thought better of it if Rian had gone first instead.
He ordered hot chamomile tea. I was surprised the restaurant even had it.
I swirled my finger around the rim of my water glass, stopping when I realized Rian was watching me.
“You’re the human Francis has allowed into our court.” He narrowed his eyes, their dark depths shining like onyx in the low lighting. “There was much speculation on why. No one assumed you were dating the errant wizard.”
Crispin flinched at his words. “Yes, well, being close to the king does afford certain luxuries.”
I had planned on being honest that Crispin and I weren’t actually dating, but looking at him, I realized it was best to play along.
We certainly didn’t want Rian or any of the other nobles questioning what their king might want with a half celestial.
It was better to think I was simply a guest of Crispin’s.
“Like the king’s protection for your paramour?” Rian pressed.
Gods, where in the hells was Dawn? I was about to let slip a snarky remark when Crispin’s hand found my knee under the table, giving it a light squeeze. I warmed at his touch.
“It is her friendship with Princess Millelena that affords her that particular standing. To keep the princess safe, you see.”
Rian pursed his lips, but seemed maybe a little less suspicious than before. Then his attention turned from us as the server brought our drinks.
I had ordered a cabernet with a quirky name that caught my eye, and took a hearty gulp as soon as the glass was in my hand.
The server raised a brow at me, but sauntered off when we told him we’d wait on our fourth person to order food.
This statement elicited a sigh from Ringo, who buried his face against my neck when Rian looked at him again.
The elven noble lifted his teacup, but didn’t drink, allowing the steam to swirl before his ageless face.
“Some believe the king plans in secret. He has no explanation for how Silvana and her people reached our realm. I’m told a few of our guards escorted them to the palace, but everyone is being unusually tight-lipped. ”
Crispin shrugged, doing his best to look harmless. “I wouldn’t know anything about that. I’m just the errant wizard, after all.”
To my surprise, Rian smirked. “I see.” He turned his attention back to me. “I know little of celestial magic, but Dawn speaks quite highly of you.”
I took another big gulp of my wine. He’d called me human before, but he did know I was a celestial.
I wasn’t sure how much Dawn had told him, or if he’d already known her night runner was the same person visiting Emerald Heights.
Hopefully if it was new information, it wouldn’t make the elven court speculate further about whatever their king was doing behind their backs.
I cleared my throat. “Um, yeah, Dawn and I go way back.” Hence my presence at this painful gathering, I added internally.
I slumped with relief at the sound of Dawn’s voice behind us. “Sorry, sorry.” Her low heels clacked as she stepped into view.
Rian and Crispin both stood like proper gentleman, and Rian pulled back Dawn’s chair for her, giving me a brief glimpse at how they might look as a couple.
Though Rian had the typical elven height, Dawn was a full head taller.
And where Dawn was slick and chic, a city girl through and through, Rian looked like he belonged in a remote estate with unicorns grazing out front.
An odd couple indeed, but stranger things had happened. Strange, like me and each of the guys.
Dawn beamed at us all. “Eva, you look lovely!” She lifted a hand to flag the server.
My jaw fell open, and I didn’t manage to shut it until after she had placed her order. “You know, I don’t think you’ve ever complimented me.”
She waved me off. “I compliment you all the time, dear.”
Rian cleared his throat, then excused himself to the restroom. As soon as he had gone, the entire vibe changed.
Dawn leaned forward in her seat, displaying her impressive cleavage. “Why the hells is your devil loitering outside? This was supposed to be a date with your elven beau, to make Rian more comfortable.”
I snorted. “Oh, he isn’t the one who’s uncomfortable. Has he asked you much about me? He spent the last five minutes grilling us about my presence in the elven court.”
Her gaze darkened. “Considering you haven’t even told me precisely what is going on there, there’s not much I can say to him, now is there?”
She had a point, and it made me glad I’d kept Dawn on a need to know basis. She might know about the bounty, but so did everyone else. I just hoped Rian wasn’t dating her because of her connection to me.
Crispin tapped my leg, and I bit back my next words. A moment later, Rian returned, resuming his seat beside Dawn. Giving me a warning look, Dawn turned to engage Rian in conversation.
Crispin leaned toward me, pretending to kiss my cheek, but as he did he whispered, “Just try to enjoy yourself.” He brought with him his springtime smell and a shiver of magic as his lips lingered a heartbeat longer.
Flustered, I lifted my menu. I already knew I’d be ordering the matcha beignets, but after the day I’d had, I needed something warm and cheesy.
I had almost relaxed enough to be excited about the prospect of the gourmet four cheese mac and cheese with prosciutto when Marcie walked into the restaurant.
In her floral dress and denim blazer, she was a little dressed down for the establishment, especially with her thick pelt of dark hair untamed.
At first I thought she was alone, then I spotted impressive white wings outside through one of the street facing windows.
So Marcie and Lucas, but where was my mom?
Marcie gave me a pointed look, then took a seat at the bar.
“I have to go to the bathroom!” I blurted, then stood abruptly, forcing Ringo to grasp my hair to keep steady. “Order me the mac and cheese,” I said to Crispin, not wanting to miss my opportunity despite what was most likely pending doom.
Crispin gave me a worried look, but I had already started moving. Dawn and Rian would probably think I was relieving myself in Ringo’s presence, but it was a price I’d have to pay. It wasn’t like Rian had the highest opinion of me anyway.
I caught Marcie’s eye as I headed toward the restroom, hoping she’d take the hint and follow me. I supposed I could have just joined her at the bar, but Dawn would have been pissed about me ditching her, and relative privacy was probably better.
With my nerves jangling, I entered the bathroom.
It was bright white and sterile, the only other color small hints of modern chrome.
I walked past the first few stalls, two of which were occupied and might prove problematic, then turned around to pace back as the door started to open.
Before whoever was outside could come in, someone burst out of the first stall, slamming the door shut.
It was a gargoyle, and his head nearly reached the ceiling.
He must have been hunching down to conceal himself within the stall.
Ringo jumped from my shoulder and up onto the stall railing as I staggered back, the second stall opening right in front of me. A female angelic stepped out, white wings on full display. She lifted her hands palms out, her blue eyes wide. “Don’t jump away. I only want to talk.”
I took another step back, already thinking of Crispin, though maybe I should jump to Sebastian out in the street.
I had none of the guys to give me a power boost, but it was a short trip.
Maybe I could manage it on my own. And if I couldn’t, I certainly wasn’t going to let the angelic know it.
Let her think I could poof away as soon as she reached for me.
“What do you want?”
Someone was pounding on the bathroom door, but the angelic kept her eyes on me. Her hair was white blonde, glistening like silk down her shoulders. Her simple tank top and jeans looked out of place with the hair and wings. “We want the blade, but we’d rather work with you than against you.”
I relaxed just a touch, though I shouldn’t have.
They weren’t with the kidnappers trying to give me a family reunion, and in fact, were probably with the gargoyles who’d taken most of my kidnappers out.
And now I knew they were linked to the angelic Sebastian had mentioned.
The one gathering allies to go for the blade.
“Were you the ones who stormed the warehouse?”
She flinched. “Yes, but I assure you, we wouldn’t have hurt you.”
“No? You sure killed everyone else just fine.”
She glanced back at the gargoyle, but didn’t say anything.
With her attention back on me, she took a step closer, then stopped as I held out my hands to ward her away.
“We only want to speak with you, but you are never alone. You can’t trust that devil, Sebastian. If you’ll let us, we can help you.”
I realized the pounding had stopped on the door. Had Marcie not understood my signal?
“I’ll be the judge of who I can trust, but I’m willing to hear you out.” Truthfully, I wasn’t, but all information was good information, and maybe she knew something about the fairy who’d been with my kidnappers. If not, she at least knew whoever else was after me.
She glanced back again. “Not here.” She pulled a white card from her jeans pocket, then held it out to me. “Meet us tomorrow night. Come alone.”
Cautiously, I took the card. Something abruptly slammed against the bathroom door, nearly pushing the gargoyle aside, but he stood his ground.
“We must go.” The angelic looked past me toward the closed window and realizing her intent, I moved aside.
She brushed past me, leaving a waft of flowery perfume. “We’ll see you tomorrow.” She slid open the window, then hopped out. A moment later, I heard the flap of wings.
The gargoyle gave me an awkward smile, leaned forward with one hand still bracing the bathroom door against another pummeling from outside, then launched himself toward the window.
I staggered back, not wanting to get hit by his wings. The door swung open and Crispin fell inside, toppling far enough for the door to swing shut again behind him.
Ringo remained perched on the bathroom stalls, his fur all puffed up. With the gargoyle out the window, he hopped closer. “I was ready to claw their eyes out, if you needed it.”
Before I could respond, Marcie popped up between us, rolling her eyes as she beheld Crispin on the floor. “It seems I’m too late. I came to tell you our great grandfather has caught word of your existence. He is offering great riches to anyone who can claim you.”
I tucked the angelic’s card discreetly into my bra, my hands trembling. “Yeah, tell me something we don’t know.”