Total pages in book: 162
Estimated words: 165618 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 828(@200wpm)___ 662(@250wpm)___ 552(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 165618 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 828(@200wpm)___ 662(@250wpm)___ 552(@300wpm)
My male was just so diplomatic and logical and mega.
Aleece studied Tanyn a moment before she queried, “Do I have to decide right now?”
“No,” Aleksei said. “But so we can make arrangements if you leave, or your aide won’t quit because she has to make so many adjustments to your schedule at the last minute, it’d be good you didn’t delay.”
I could tell Aleece saw the wisdom of that, but I saluted her decision not to share audibly she did.
“But you can head back to the Fall,” Cormac said to Sirk.
I saw Sirk getting riled up, but I was stunned when Gayle waded right in to handle it.
“He’s my friend, but he’s the chef at the most celebrated restaurant in all the realms. He can’t be here forever.”
Her restaurant claim was debatable (said me), but Stained Glass was certainly in the top five.
“For me,” Gayle went on, still speaking to Cormac, “can you please just leave it alone?”
Not quite over being stunned by Gayle, I was shocked when Cormac did nothing but jerk up his chin, then go back to his soup.
I sent wide eyes to Tanyn.
His lips quirked.
“No one has addressed the engagement party, which is next weekend,” Aleece pointed out.
Ah hells.
I hadn’t thought of that.
“We’re already on it,” Aleksei said. “Heightened security.”
“We had that at the Midnight Masque,” Aleece replied, not being snarky, just sharing truth.
“It’s a smaller, more intimate gathering,” Aleksei reminded her (if two hundred and fifty guests could be considered small, then again, the Masque’s guest list was three times that). “But even so, when I say security will be heightened, I meant significantly.”
Probably knowing Aleksei would have Laura nowhere near something he didn’t think was safe, Aleece let it go.
“I know we’ve just met, but I’m being very honest when I say, it would mean a lot to us if you two would attend our party,” Laura said to Mangold and Zyra.
Mangold looked ready to politely decline.
He didn’t when Zyra exclaimed, “Oh my goodness. What an honor.” She looked at me. “But I don’t have anything to wear.”
Manny aimed his eyes to the ceiling, but he said nothing.
My male gazed at them both fondly.
Oh yes.
He was totally in his element, his family becoming part of a bigger family.
“Fortunately, you’re sitting at a table full of females who can sort that out, no problem,” I told her. I then turned my attention to Manny. “There isn’t a lot of time, but we do have a ton of pull, so we can get you fitted for a tuxedo too.”
“Just what I always wanted,” Mangold muttered.
Zyra elbowed him.
Tanyn chuckled.
And fortunately, we entered a phase of the dinner, the first in our togetherness, where there was a détente.
Sure, Cormac remained broody and often eyed up Sirk like he wanted to rip his head off, but he kept it together.
And Aleece wasn’t all that great at stopping herself from checking out Bainon in a way I wondered if she’d had a crush on him even before she knew they were fated mates.
But Bainon proved charming.
Sirk was his usual hilarious. So was Manny.
Zyra was sweet. And as always, so was Laura.
And I had to admit, in a detached female sort of way, Cormac’s intensity was all kinds of attractive.
Tanyn was, as ever, wonderful.
And obviously, my gals were mega.
So in the end, this, the first meal together of royals and their future queens, all of them friends whom I hoped would remain friendly forever, didn’t go too badly.
In fact, in the end, it took some effort…
But it was fun.
I was ready for bed, fresh-faced and in a nightgown covered in my long cashmere robe.
And I was making my rounds.
First up, Aleece.
I knocked on her door.
“Come in,” she called.
I went in.
She was in a cami and sleep shorts, sitting cross-legged in the middle of her bed, her shining hair up in a ponytail, a lapcomp open on the bed in front of her, a tablet in her hand.
Apparently, even a princess’s duties never ceased.
She looked a lot younger than her years, almost girlish, something I’d never thought about the carelessly stylish, always together Aleece, Princess Royal of Night’s Fall.
“Just checking to see you’re okay,” I said as I wandered in.
She gave me a half smile. “That’s sweet, but I’m all right. I mean, I’m still pissed some male made crucial decisions for the both of us and I’ve been unknowingly living under a spell for over a decade. But, whatevs…right?”
“Right, I suppose,” I replied, sitting on the edge of her bed, and I indicated her lapcomp with a dip of my head. “Have you made a decision?”
She shot me a rueful look. “I fear if I insisted on going my own way, I would be worrying you all. And I’m not a fan of living in danger or upsetting someone, even if I’m ticked at him.”