I tipped my head back, laughter tinkling past my lips—my mirth scarcely heard over the musicians’ lively music. I sputtered, “Oh my Fae. That happened during your soul mating?”
MyFae damned soul mate was still on the dance floor, hoarding all of his dance time to full-bodied shifter women, only dancing twice so far with elves—his kind kept trying to rub their bodies against him, no matter how many times he stealthily maneuvered space between them.
Fortunately, he was doing an impressive job of it.
Unfortunately, I kept having flashbacks.
I was an utterly tangled mess of sentiments.
Bianca Debay stepped aside, a dancing couple nearly swinging right into her. My new acquaintance nodded her head grandly, as I gently took hold of her elbow and moved us farther away from the dance floor. Her stunning amber eyes rounded large on her face, and she mumbled hastily, “I blame the hay that was all about. We couldn’t see the snake when we woke, and it just slithered out…” Bianca’s cheeks flushed crimson.
“And bit him on the ass,” I finished for her since she’d already explained it once—no need for her to vocalize that humiliation again. “That’s how the stablehand got involved, right? Probably from all the shouting?”
“Yes,” she whispered, tilting closer so no one would hear. “But Willam was terribly embarrassed. He had to lean over a table for the stablehand to remove the snake… It had really latched on.”
I choked so hard on my laughter that I keeled over and placed my hands on my knees, unable to control my hilarity.
My peals of laughter floated around us while she delicately patted at my back, murmuring, “I know. It’s not one to tell our newborn son about.” She sucked in a large breath, her next words quickly whispered, “Oh, Fairy. He’s finally spotted me. Here he comes.”
I swiftly wiped at my watering eyes and inhaled a large lungful of calming air, leaning up to my almost five feet of height—not about to make her partner feel uncomfortable when I enjoyed her honest company so very much. I placed a welcoming smile on my face as a fine specimen of an elf stopped next to her, curving his right arm around the back of her waist, holding her close. I bit the inside of my cheek, my eyes pinching in humor, the man not even noticing me, his dove eyes entirely caught on his soul mate.
I stated warmly, “Hello, Willam. It’s very nice to meet you.”
Willam glanced in my direction and then back to his lovely soul mate. His bright blue eyes—the shade of a dazzling sky—widened on his handsome face, and his regard slammed back to my person. He hastily bowed before me—flawlessly performed—stating in a refined tongue, “My apologies, Your Highness. It is very nice to meet you, too.”
“No apology is needed. You have an exquisite soul mate. I can see why she captures your eye.”
Willam rose from his bow, easily embracing his love back within his arms. His smile could rival the sun while the sprightly melody quieted around us, the musicians giving the dancers a moment to catch their breath. Satisfaction laced his words, as he admitted, “Yes, Bianca tends to steal my attention. She is quite the little bandit.”
Bianca snorted hard, content in his arms. “Don’t let him fool you, Your Highness. He is the thief. He pinches the covers on a nightly basis.”
I chuckled softly. “The Fae chose well for you two.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.” Willam winked.
Heat suddenly warmed my back, as honeysuckle tickled my nose. I stiffened, just as my companions did, their alarmed eyes high above my head.
King Athon rumbled in his hard-edged shifter tone, “Good evening.”
Willam and Bianca instantly lowered into a proper bow and curtsey, their form immaculate—although a little stiff. Together, they rushed to say, “Good evening, Your Royal Highness.”
I ground my teeth together and turned.
Do not look at his half-naked body.
I performed the perfect curtsey. I told the ground, “And good evening to you, too, Your Royal Highness.” There was a smidge of dirt below my nose. I supposed that was acceptable with all of the foot traffic inside the ballroom.
And why in the Fairy couldn’t he have left me alone?
I wasn’t positive I could look him in the eye right now.
The King of Shifters tapped the top of my head lightly, stating evenly, “You three may rise.”
I sighed on a grand exhale, and grudgingly stood straight as my new acquaintances did. I tilted my chin high and stepped to the side to properly allow the dastardly intruder into our small circle. I managed to meet his solid black gaze, and I stated pleasantly, “How are you faring tonight, Your Royal Highness? I hope that you have been having a splendid time.”
“I have, Your Highness.” He dipped his head regally, the mask of civility firmly in place. “Your mother is a marvelous host.”
“And the music?” I questioned conversationally, my mouth curving into a sugar-sweet grin.Stay off the fucking dance floor before I fry a shifter bitch.“You seem to be enjoying that.”
