“Hopeful,” he replied, before he released me from his hold. “Are you ready to go?”
I was ready to come, if that throbbing ache in my center was any indication.
“Yep, sure. All ready.”
Somehow, I pushed down my arousal, taking a few deep breaths before I turned. Len picked Tabitha up once more, and I could see her full outfit. She wore a purple dress, with a matching coverup over her diaper.
“You got clothes for Tabby too?” I asked, teetering forward on my heels to see her better. “And new diapers?”
Len chuckled. “No, not a diaper. You’ve probably noticed that she hasn’t needed any such item up until now.”
“I did, but thought it was to do with her lack of development.”
He shook his head. “As I said earlier, we don’t really create waste. Fae use every part of what we consume.”
Okay, sure. That made sense, but also, “There’s a toilet in the bathroom.”
I’d used it already, and it worked just like back home.
Len nodded. “Yes, there are multiple bathrooms in my house. They’re here for when my family from other worlds visit.”
Ah, right. That made sense. “It’s looking less likely that I’m fae,” I said with a sad shrug. “I use the bathroom. I need to eat. I’m not following the characteristics.”
“That’s not necessarily true,” he said quickly. “We won’t know the truth until we lift the glamour. And either way, it doesn’t matter to me.”
He said it so matter of fact, leaving no doubt to the truth of it. “Let’s head out,” he said. “Tabitha ate already, but she might want more from the party.”
My new excitement at her development washed away all other thoughts. “I couldn’t be happier that she’s eating and growing so well.”
He nodded. “She also bathed in the crystals’ energy.” He paused. “And she called meDada.” There was a ring of pride in his tone. “Who knew such a tiny being could own my heart so thoroughly.”
I understood completely. “We’re blessed.”
He reached out and brushed a hand across my cheek. The unexpected touch had butterflies dancing in my stomach. “You changed my life in a split second. I will owe you for eternity.”
I’d take eternity with him.
“You owe me nothing,” I managed to say. “We’re in this together.”
A concept that finally felt real.
It was time to leave after that, as Len led us from the bedroom and into the hall before we ventured back down the stairs to the entry way. Nerves kicked in as we exited. This was like the first day in a new pack but a million times worse. Shifters, at least, I understood. I knew the rules. Faerie and fae were a whole other ballgame, and I was walking into this event with no knowledge or skills to help me fit in.
Except for the Silver Lands prince at my side.
Hopefully, that was all I’d need for the royals to at worst ignore me, and at best be polite.
Len led me back across the bridge to his house and we headed toward the courtyard. I could hear the chatter of voices before any fae came into view, and when we stepped past the first pillars I choked down more nerves. There were at least a hundred gorgeous, glamourous, supernatural beings in the space, dressed in long gowns and suits.
Just as I was practicing some deep breathing exercises, a familiar blond fae popped up in front of us. “Lady, you have destroyed my heart and my—”
Len let out a low rumble. “If you value your life, Tyrin, you won’t finish that sentence.”
Tyrin held both hands up, looking almost as godlike as his best friend in a tailored black suit. He wore a long silver duster jacket, as did many of the fae males around us, adding to their otherworldly façade. But tonight Len was minus his jacket. He didn’t need it to be otherworldly.
“Everyone is curious about why you called this last-minute event,” Tyrin said conversationally, lifting a drink from a nearby tray and taking a sip. The contents were a very pale pink, visible through the crystal sides. “You should hurry and put them out of their misery. No one will get drunk until you do, and I need a night to forget my woes.”
Len slapped a hand on his shoulder and I saw the brief squeeze. “It’ll be okay, brother. No matter what happens, we’ll ensure your happiness. The walk to find a mate isn’t infallible, as we’ve just discovered. There’s always hope.”
