My eyes went wide. “But my friend Zara is invited.”
He shrugged. “Human servants also attend, such as yourself.”
I bristled against the word. “Zara isn’t aservant. She’s an invited member.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Interesting.”
I wasn’t sure I liked what he was suggesting about my best friend. I’d known Zara for years, and she had never displayed glowing eyes or turquoise hair, not even after I’d gotten the fae sight. But a bigger concern struck me. “What about Henry and May? Is it safe for them?”
“Families are required to attend as a show of faith. None of the attendees would dare stage a coup when their own family is present and could be harmed or taken hostage. But that is an old rule from when times were more volatile. They will be perfectly safe.”
I didn’t know if I felt comfortable with this at all. But I also knew that if I refused, Severn would merely fire me and take Henry and May on his own. Or worse, with Poppy or Locke as their guardian.
The werewolf let out another scream.
Severn jerked his chin toward the elevator to dismiss me. “A car will take you and the children to the airport tomorrow at nine in the morning. Wear a hat and sunglasses in case there are paparazzi. And remember, Willow, wearen’ta family on vacation. There is nothing between us at all. I’m a prince with his enemy strung up for target practice, and you are a glorified television set, there to entertain the children.”
I balled my hands tight enough to dig my nails into my palms.What an asshole!I strode down the hallway, telling myself that if Severn Wilde’s goal was to make me believe he was a monster, he had succeeded.
In the morning, May and Henry were bouncing up and down at the idea of flying on a private jet. We waited in the tower’s underground garage with our bags and Puck on a leash. I’d called Zara frantic for advice on what to wear. I never attended galas or private events like this, and though I was a nanny, Iwasn’ta servant, and I wanted to make it clear to Severn and everyone else that I was my own person and just as worthy as the rest of them.
I’d almost askedZara about thetruenature of the event, but I’d shied away at the last moment. I wasn’t certain the confidentiality spell would even let me, and I figured it would be better to ask that kind of thing in person anyway.
I was nervous the whole drive to the airport. The night before, I’d had nightmares about the werewolf strung up on the thirteenth floor; I’d woken in a cold sweat, thinking I could hear his screams. He was Severn’s enemy and had tried to attack the tower, so of course, they were entitled to question him, but torture was unconscionable.
Like Severn said, he didn’t do it because he had to—he’dlikedit.
He’s a monster.
I was still thinking this as we climbed out of the car straight onto the tarmac. Severn’s private jet was already prepared with two flight attendants wheeling over a set of stairs. We were at the far end of JFK airport where the private jets were stored; no security lines or baggage checks for the Wilde family.
I tugged my ball cap lower over my face, glancing around nervously. Flight attendants for private jets were supposed to be discreet, but I had no idea if some other employee might want to sneak a priceless photo of Severn’s supposed mystery wife.
As soon as the stairs were secured, Henry and May charged up them. I followed with Puck tugging at the leash. It wasn’t a large jet, but everything about it breathed luxury. The buttery leather seats. The fresh bottles of sparkling water waiting for us. The row of magazines on the coffee table. I didn’t even know an airplane couldhavea coffee table.
While the kids explored the tiny bathroom and the mini refrigerator, I grabbed a few magazines, flipping through them distractedly, only to stop in shock to see myself on the cover.
It was a grainy photo of the “wedding” in Central Park. Severn and I were holding hands as cherry blossom petals fell around us. The article declared that the mystery woman had been identified as Willow O’Dell, a former art student and an “up-and-coming artist.” I had to laugh.
But then my laughter fell as I read a quote.
“Willow is an exceptional artist,” says her former professor, Dr. James Decker, PhD, “and an exceptional young lady. I always knew she’d end up on the arm of someone important.”
Something twisted in my stomach.Yeah, he always thought I’d end up on his arm…or at least in his bed!
I slammed the magazine shut and shoved it into the seat pocket just as a flight attendant brought a bowl of water for Puck. Her eyes went from the magazine cover to me. I saw them widen slightly, but then she plastered on a painted smile and went back to work.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs, and then May yelled, “Severn!”
He filled the open doorway, wearing sunglasses, his face unreadable. I quickly looked away as fresh anger flared up in me. He dropped a briefcase onto the coffee table. “What isthat?” he asked.
I had to look up to see that he was pointing at Puck.
“What?” I asked innocently. “You said family was invited. Puckisfamily.”
He took off his sunglasses to reveal narrowed eyes, and I felt a cold satisfaction. A part of me had known bringing the dog would needle him. I’d gotten the exact reaction I’d wanted.
He started to drop into a seat, but Henry sank into it first. “No, I want the window seat!”
