“Thank you.” I gave him a gentle smile.
“We’ll just go finish up those buns and allow you to get started for the day. I believe Lady Arielle will be along soon.”
The sprites bowed and left.
I was about to sit when Arielle appeared at the door. She stopped, leaned against the frame, then gazed at me. Dressed in a casual pair of pants and a ruffled sleeved blouse, she looked different from the powerful mage she’d been yesterday. She looked… more like me. Normal and ordinary.
Expectancy crossed her face, but she seemed to hold back.
For a moment I wasn’t sure what to say. Before the wedding—Wolfe’s and mine—we weren’t exactly on good terms. When she delivered me to my family and we parted it had left a hole in my heart. But at the wedding she’d been no different from family to me. And she gave me that dress. She knew, even without actually knowing, I wouldn’t have wanted to marry Wolfe in the dress Thayden had gotten me.
I should speak first. If only to say thank you or apologize again.
“Hi, I was—” We both said at the same time.
We tried to speak again and the same thing happened.
Realizing we weren’t going to get past good morning we burst out laughing and rushed toward each other.
We hugged, and when we pulled apart, she took both my hands and we spun around like children, giggling as if we didn’t have a care in the world.
“Gods, I’m so happy to have you back.” Arielle gave me another quick hug.
“Me too.”
“Yesterday was insane and so exciting,” she squealed. “AndThayden’s face,” she said, dragging out each syllable, looking at me as if the statement summed up the day.
I laughed again, completely understanding what she meant. “I know. I don’t think I’ll ever forget how he looked. It was pure defeat.”
“I’m glad I was there to see it. And meet your family. Oh my goodness, I love them all. Emabelle is a gem—and I think we might be kindred spirits.”
I couldn’t agree more. There were moments when Emabelle and Arielle felt like the same person. The only difference aside from the obvious was that Arielle had to tone down because of her royal duties and Emabelle remained unfiltered.
“And your grandmother…” She placed a hand to her heart. “I was already in awe at your grandmother but she’s amazing. I wish she were mine.”
We laughed again.
“I’m sure she would love to hear that. She was fond of you too.”
“Oh good. Did they all get back okay?”
“Yes. Wolfe sent them home in a portal.” I relaxed my shoulders and rocked back on my feet. “Magic.It was strange seeing it being used so freely in the mortal realm without the worry of witch-hunters.”
“I know. Your union was quite a day to be remembered,Lady Nightblade. Nothing like that has happened for over a millennium.”
“Wow. I didnotknow that.”
“Come let’s sit and talk. I want to hear about the parts I don’t know.” She took my hand and ushered me to the table. “We have two hours before we leave for Hyxian and then I have to get you ready for your wedding celebration.”
I gave her a wide-eyed stare. “What? All of that is happening today?”
“Sure is. We’re going to have averybusy day.”
“Where’s Wolfe?” I glanced back toward the door. “Have you seen him.”
“Nope he’s away on business with Alaric and Bastian. Garrick will check on us throughout the day. I got the message an hour ago.” She grinned. “I don’t think we’ll see Wolfe before the ceremony today. There’s a lot to do and I’m guessing he probably went to see his uncle to talk to him about you.”
“Dreynthor.” The evil uncle. According to my journal the last time I saw him he told me I was just something to fuck and toss to the side. And Wolfe would never be serious about me. Reading those words was bad enough, and harsh, but I couldjust imagine how hurt and humiliated I must have been. I was definitely not looking forward to seeing him again.
