The women have dressed her in a cream-colored gown with a straight, off-the-shoulder neckline. The bodice is tight, flaring out over her hips into a long, full skirt. Lines of delicate embroidery decorate the front of the dress, detailed loops of flowers, vines, and leaves that flow from Sadie’s breasts all the way to the hem of the dress.
Cassie walks beside her mom, holding her hand tightly. To my surprise, my little daughter is in a gown of vibrant red. Even though the skirts reach the ground and Cassie walks with her head held high, she doesn’t trip once. She levels her eyes on me as she walks up the pathway.
I have to admit, she spooks me a bit, even though she is my kid.
Behind them, Faye and Sylvie walk together, almost making a living blockade. Even though Sadie doesn’t look like she’s about to run, there are signs of tension all over her, and I have no doubt that if she thought it was possible for her and Cassie to get away, she’d try it without the slightest hesitation.
She comes up beside me, and I hold out my hand. When she takes it, a powerful thrill sweeps through me, and I get a hint of her delicious scent. Suddenly, I can’t look away from her. My eyes are devouring her, inch by inch.
Her breasts are held high in the tight bodice, gorgeous, creamy mounds that sway a little every time she moves. Her barearms seem to beg for my caress, and the curve of her waist looks made for the shape of my hand.
I sink into a brief fantasy, my rational mind disappearing as if I’ve dropped under a wave, leaving my head above the surface to let the rest of my body play in the under realms. I stare at Sadie so hard, my mouth starts to water, and tension bleeds through my body until I’m almost rocking on my feet.
Neville slaps me on the shoulder, and I come back to myself with a start, almost dropping Sadie’s hand. She glares at me, her dark brown eyes almost black as she tries to conceal her anger.
“Careful,” Neville whispers. “You wouldn’t want to go falling in love, would you?”
“No,” I answer. “Definitely not that.”
I look past Sadie to Cassie and try to tell myself the intense connection I feel is just because we have a daughter together.
It’s my blood tie to Cassie I can feel, not a mystical pull to some ordinary human woman. That would truly be beneath me.
Rafe speaks the final words, and I have to disguise my shock.
I was so lost in my own thoughts that the entire thing slipped by without me even noticing!
The elders lead us to a different section of the garden, and the rest of the crowd follows. Under a wide, covered area, some snacks and champagne have been set out, as well as a smaller table for the kids. Cassie runs off straight away to be with them, and Sadie follows her.
I grab a glass of champagne, hoping to find Owen and Shane immediately, but Darla steps into my path.
“Rhys,” she says, her voice hard.
“Darla,” I say, trying to go around her.
“I don’t want you to get the wrong idea about this.”
“About what?”
She sighs, a light growl rattling at the end of it. “We’re doing this for our kind, to find a solution for the wasting disease. Once we figure out the answer, we’ll get rid of her and find you a worthy mate.”
“I haven’t forgotten,” I retort. “Is there anything special I’m supposed to be looking for, and do you know how long it’s supposed to take?”
I see her face twist, and it gives me some satisfaction because I meant to put her in her place.
She has no fucking clue.
“We don’t know,” she answers, trying to sound confident. “It might take a while, and we’re prepared to give it some time. I just wanted you to know you should be proactive about this—we want to get rid of her as soon as possible.”
“Okay,” I say, nodding. A splinter of anger has pierced my hard-won calm, and I feel like shouting at her, but I don’t even know what I’d say.
Just that this feels wrong… my instincts are screaming at me to protect Sadie, and Cassie, too… And how can they possibly expect to keep Cassie as my heir if they’re going to get rid of her mother?
Before Darla can say another word, Owen steps in to save me, throwing an arm around my shoulder and pretending to be a lot drunker than he is.
“Brother!” he says, hugging me and almost spilling both our glasses of champagne. “I just had to congratulate you! What a day this is.”
Darla moves away in disgust, her eyes flashing with malice as she shoots me a final glance.
