Chapter 40 #2
Ceci made a face. “Eww. I know, right? That guy’s a total creep, and his wife gives Osric too many eyelash flutters.
Ugh. Did you see the size of her diamond necklace, while her husband goes round begging for donations?
Damn grifters.” She leaned in, her eyes widening.
“Osric was almost killed by a lion pride of Temple followers. They attacked him when he was drunk. He hates them with a passion. I swear, if Blunton wasn’t a senior citizen, Osric would have punched him out. ”
I snorted. “I bet my jaguar cop would pay to see that—he thinks the Temple could be wrapped up in dealing drugs to kids. Apparently, he’s winning big at the tables right now. Would Osric go for it?”
She laughed, but before she spoke, I corrected myself. “What am I saying? He’s a prince. He doesn’t need the money.”
“No,” she acquiesced with a smile.
I whispered, “Must be so nice being with a real Fae prince. Didn’t you luck out.”
She giggled. We were like teens. It was fun.
“I lucked out? What about Bryce freakin’ Harding? Anyway, Osric’s main passion, apart from me, and hating the Temple, is New Nebraskan politics. So, we’ll see how that goes. I’m not so enthusiastic about it. He talks about congress, the senate, the governorship like he’s aiming for a seat.”
We kept chatting, the guys joining in as I continued fulfilling my promise to have fun. I switched between water and champagne, but even two glasses had me tipsy.
When Ceci suggested we all go back inside for dancing, I was worried my legs, weighed down by steak and wobbly from bubbly, wouldn’t want to co-operate. Thankfully though, I felt fine after a few minutes walking, with Seb and Hunter linked on either side of me.
Ugh, I saw Monique, ultra glamorous in gold, fluttering at the far end of the casino area. I hoped she’d stay there. Where were teams of bodyguards to hide behind when you really needed them? Thankfully she seemed to be winning at roulette and was oblivious to my presence.
We got to the dance floor and were happy to see it had a good portion left to dance on without bumping into people. A live singer had appeared on the musicians’ stage and was oozing out honeyed songs perfect for slow dances.
“So, who wants first dance?” I asked over the music, looking at Seb and Hunter.
Hunter rubbed Seb’s shoulder and said with a dry smile, “I tell you what, I’ll fight you for it.”
Seb laughed and shook his head. “No thanks, I prefer all my limbs attached to my body. You should watch out though, I’m catching up with you.” He held his arm up, flexing.
Hunter had a squeeze, his eyebrows raised. “Shit, kid, you’re hiding steel under there. When did that happen?” He looked between us, like he suspected I was the reason, but there was no jealousy on his face. “Impressive.”
“Yeah right,” Seb scoffed. “You’ll always be the king of the streetfighters. Everyone knows it.”
“Would you two like to dance with each other?” I asked. “Get a room, perhaps?”
Hunter pulled me into a tight embrace, his face inches from mine as I saw his eyes turn a burning yellow. “Keep up the sass and I might have to get a room with you.”
“You’d like that?” I asked, breath quickening.
“I’d love it,” he rumbled, our mouths millimeters apart.
“Well, if you keep speaking with that jaguar growl”—my voice trembled—“I might just have to let you get that room.”
“Fuck,” he rasped.
I wound my arms around his neck, heartbeat pulsing between my legs. Maybe we really could have some fun tonight. Maybe I was ready, after all those nights wrapped safe in his arms. But… not right this second.
“I still want to dance,” I said, letting my bottom lip brush his.
He whisked me off the dance floor’s edge and into the thick of it so quickly that I squealed in surprise.
My feet followed his firm lead, and his arms kept me swaying with the tempo he set.
I rested my head on his chest, hearing the primal hammer of his jaguar heart, letting him spin, dip, and caress me through three songs.
When we were both acting a little dizzy, Hunter slowed and nodded toward Seb. “Kid’s like a racehorse waiting for the off. I think it’s his turn now.”
“Thank you for my first dance,” I murmured, cupping his cheek. I hadn’t danced with a partner since an awkward Spring Fling when I was thirteen.
He dipped his mouth to mine in a warm kiss that ended too soon, moving to my ear to whisper, “I hope you know I treasure every first you choose to give me.”
I hugged his neck. We stayed glued together for several beats. He finally drew back a little and spun me toward the edge of the floor and into Seb’s waiting arms.
Seb danced far nimbler than Hunter, unsurprisingly, and we had fun doing the tango, him twirling me every third or fourth step—and vice versa, as we both laughed. On a particularly ambitious twirl, my high heel slipped, and I crashed into his chest, both of us heaving with giggles.
“Careful, beautiful,” he took my face in his hands.
“Me? You don’t know your new strength,” I teased, swatting his chest.
“Yeah, but you’re the one who made me stronger.”
“Maybe,” I said.
I almost added that Ceci seemed to think so, but he said, “No, I know. It’s in all the great stories.” His eyes dipped, bashful, to my mouth and then seemed to force themselves back to my gaze. “True love makes you stronger,” he murmured.
My heart somersaulted, unsure where it wanted to be pulled. Butterflies erupted in my stomach even as my brain screamed, I can’t. It won’t work.
“Seb, I…”
He shook his head. “There’s still no pressure. And…” He licked his lips and started again. “And maybe I’m not your true love. But I know you’re mine. So, I’ll be whatever you need me to be to you. Just say the word.”
I played with his collar, fingers stroking his neck. “I promise I’ll give you a better answer when I’m not so dizzy, but right now, I just want you to kiss me.”
He smiled and drew me in, hands still tenderly holding my head, slipping back to intwine in my hair.
As our mouths moved together, deepening the kiss into something usually reserved for secret corners or exhibitionist fantasies I never thought I’d live out, his voice spoke in my head.
There’s nowhere I’d rather be than here with you.
I wrapped my arms around his strong back and pressed him closer to me. There’s nothing that you don’t make better by being there. And don’t tell Hunter, but this was the best dance I’ve ever had.
He drew back, cobalt eyes bright as he drank in my face, beaming.
Dropping a hand to my lower back and taking up my hand, he started moving us around the floor again.
Don’t give an award for best dancer yet, he joked.
If Dagger’s won big, I dread to think what he’ll come up with. The goddamn chicken dance, probably.
I laughed out loud at the image.
Hunter’s welcome palm cupped my elbow, as he said with a loud voice to make it past the booming music, “Hey, sorry to interrupt. Nature calls. I’ll be back before you know it though. The grizzlies are still watching. But Seb, you’re on bodyguard duty. Don’t let her out of your sight.”
I rubbed Hunter’s hand. “Take your time. I didn’t forget my promise. Don’t’ forget yours. Maybe play a hand of something on your way back.”
“It’s not fun if you don’t come with me. I’ll be back.” He kissed my forehead and strode off the dance floor into the mingling throngs.
Seb and I went back to our fun, this time with a haphazard attempt at the paso doble. I thought I’d die laugh—
“I do beg your pardon. You seem to be having such a marvelous time. Do you mind if I cut in?”
I turned to be met by a Fae guy with movie star looks and captivating blue eyes.
His accent and effortless gentlemanlike conduct reminded me of Osric, though instead of blond, this guy’s groomed, wavy locks had a distinctive copper color, halfway between orange and red.
He had to be royalty, although I hadn’t seen him at the viscountess’s funeral.
“I’m sorry, but she’s not—”
“It’s okay, Seb,” I cut in, offering a hand to the newcomer. He had a kind, warm smile that lit his blue eyes like fresh cut sapphires. “There’s no harm in one dance. Just stay close.”
Seb kept a firm grip on my other hand. “I don’t know. Maybe after Hunter comes back if he says it’s all right then—”
The Fae rested a friendly palm on Seb’s shoulder and smiled. “Hunter doesn’t have to give permission. You’re equal to him. There’s nothing to worry about. You should wait patiently, ask another lady to dance.”
“Yes, I think you’re right. Hunter doesn’t have to give permission,” Seb said. “I’m equal to him. There’s nothing to worry about. I should wait patiently, ask another lady to dance.”
I nodded and gave Seb a reassuring smile before he wandered off toward a partnerless woman swaying to the beat at the edge of the dancefloor.
Jealousy stabbed my gut when he bowed to her like a gentleman in a movie, extending a hand.
“Hey…” I said, twisting toward him, ready to go yank him back.
“My lady,” said an intriguing voice.
I blinked back at the red-haired Fae.
“Oh,” I said, touching my head. Sheesh, I’d had too much champagne. I’d almost forgotten he was there.
“May I introduce myself? I am Alexander Winterborn of the Fae.”
“I’m Serenity.” My name felt clumsy, like my tongue had swelled up.
“Serenity.” He kissed my glove tenderly. The touch coursed pleasure up my arm and across my chest. He stepped close, his smooth tux lapels brushing my bare shoulders. A sharp cologne pulsed from his neck.
The overwhelming smell, his eyes, his voice, they were whirling wisps in my mind, muddling my thoughts and making my limbs feel buoyed on clouds, like I’d just woken from a deep nap.
We danced as if in a dream. I could barely feel my feet touching the floor. We had to whisper very closely into each other’s ears to talk. His warm breath against my ear shouldn’t have felt so good.
“Are you a prince, Alexander?” He had to be.
“Something like that, you might say. Though one doesn’t like to brag about such things.”
I knew it. If not a prince, then one of the other fancy titles they had in England, like Duke or Earl.
“And are you a princess in the human world?”
“I think it’s obvious I’m not that special but… I don’t know, I really feel like one right now. I mean really feel it.”
He moved his perfect face so close that our noses grazed. “That’s because you are special, Serenity. I’ve delved inside your soul, read your fears, your desires, felt the thump, thump, thump, of your brave little heart. You are extremely special. Your parents are very proud of you.”
“You know about my parents?”
He laughed warmly, his copper locks bobbing. “Serenity, not only do I know about them, but I know them, personally. They’re here. Waiting for you. They’ve been waiting for years.”
My heart lurched. It was impossible. Right? But Alexander had said it… My parents were alive. Alive! I had to see them immediately, hold them in my arms. “Alexander, take me to my parents. I miss them so much.”
He stroked my hair, his face a mask of painful sympathy. “I also know what it means to lose someone dear. I’ll take you to them, Serenity, but we must be quick. They’re out in the gardens, but they need to go soon.”
I gripped his arms in terror. “No, they can’t go! Take me to the gardens, please.”
He extracted me gently, then clasped my hand, weaving me through a blur of satin and tuxedos, into the gardens.
My heart was racing now, my mouth dry. “Where are they? I can’t see them.”
“This way, my lady, they’re this way.” He tugged my hand harder, leading me down the path to the central fountain, then veered off onto a smaller side route where the floodlights were beaten back by the hoot of an owl and black branches.
We turned a corner into an orchard.
“There, you see them?”
Two dark figures stood off in the distance, under an apple tree. They were swathed in fog and shadows. I wanted to see their faces so much. I could just make out Mom’s messy bun and Dad’s dimpled chin in a strip of moonlight. “Mom, Dad! It really is you!”
“Thank you so much, Alexander!” I wrapped my arms round him tight and then he gripped my hand, even firmer, and smiled radiantly.
“Think nothing of it. I’m doing this with deep pleasure, my lady. Shall we go and see them?”
“Oh God, yes! Let’s go!”
We hurried on, him leading me further into the darkness.