“By the way,” Hedori said, “Fantasy Cakeswere gracious enough about the cancellation and are back on board. From what I could pick up while there, they were already working on the cake.” His eyes gleamed in amusement.
A smile started. Well, one out of everything else lost wasn’t so bad. Her eyes misted in gratitude. “Thank you so much. I’m really sorry everything’s been dumped on you last minute.”
“It’s no problem at all. I’m rather excited to do this—”
At the animated chatter of voices drawing closer, he glanced at the door near the pantry leading to his quarters. At the indecision on his face, Darci felt his need to help—to protect Jenna. Then his torn expression quieted. “Excuse me, Darci. There’s much to be done.” He walked out of the kitchen.
Darci’s heart went out to him. He’d found his mate, yet he could do nothing about it.
“Happy bridal shower day!” the girls chorused in unison, streaming in from Hedori’s quarters, Jenna trailing behind them. She’d tied her auburn hair back with a black ribbon, revealing her thin and far too sallow face. Her gray eyes were shadowed.
“It’s so wonderful that you want to take your vows in our way, too,” she said quietly.
Darci realized then how badly Jenna probably needed normalcy in her life. Her chest ached, remembering what she’d been through for so many years trapped with an evil rogue angel who’d killed her mate before taking her captive.
Yes, a wedding was as human and normal as it could be. She smiled. “Me, too.”
With a little nod, Jenna wandered away to where Bob was prowling near his empty bowl.
“It’s so good to see you,” Elytani said, her bright, copper-hued eyes skimming over Darci as if looking for any hidden injury.
“It sure is,” Shae agreed, coming up beside Darci. “I’m truly sorry your evening turned out the way it did.
“Yeah, it must have been horrible, finding out it wasn’t really Blaéz,” Kira added.
“Terrifying, actually.” Darci shuddered. “Thank God it’s all over.” Shutting off thoughts of the nightmarish time, she pivoted to Echo and pulled her friend into a tight embrace. “Thank you for what you did.”
Echo hugged her equally tight. “I’m just glad I could summon the Locator rune on my first try to lead Blaéz to you.” She stepped back. “I guess Lore was right about trusting my instincts when using the rune.”
Chairs dragged on the marbled floor as the women sat down at the oak dining table.
“How did it happen?” Darci asked, reaching for the coffeepot and pouring herself a steaming mug.
Shae brought the snack-covered platters over and sat near her mother while Echo related how her abilities came about. “Lore pushed up our lessons early yesterday, since he had other commitments, and we had the rehearsal and dinner. So we worked on the angelic runes…”
She told them about the sudden emergence of the sigil and how it had moved off the charts and seeped into her. It was riveting to hear how she eventually used it to try and find where Finnén had hidden her. By the time Echo had finished, everyone stared wide-eyed at her. “I’m afraid your cross disappeared with the magic I used to find you,” she told Darci.
“I don’t care about that—I mean, I do, my brother gave it to me when I turned fifteen, but you used it to save me.”Saved Blaéz.Tears crowded her eyes. She grasped Echo’s hand and held on tightly, overwhelmed that her friend had accomplished so much, considering Finnén had spell-protected the house and its inhabitants from detection. “Thank you.”
“Okaaay! Enough doom and gloom.” Kira jumped up from her chair, her multiple beads clattering about. “We have a wedding to celebrate, girls!” She whipped out the folded sheet of paper from her jeans pocket. “Ta-da! Our list for today. First on the agenda, we’re having facials, manicures, pedicures, and a wax. The latter, I’m gonna do for you.”
Darci nearly choked on her coffee. “No, you’re not.” No way was her friend touching her lady bits. “I had that taken care of yesterday morning.”
“Ah, well.” Kira grinned, dimples flashing. “Wasn’t really going to, just needed to lighten the atmosphere. But let’s move this party over to the guest suite. We got two masseuses coming over—don’t ask how. I’m only glad Hedori got them. C’mon, you guys, chop-chop—let’s get started…”
* * *
As night stole over the estate, the women gathered around the roaring fireplace in the small living room. Opened presents lay scattered on the floor. Darci dropped another torn gift wrapper on a growing pile to be discarded later, setting aside the black negligee Elytani had given her.
God, she rubbed her heated face, not at the pile of sexy nightwear her friends had showered her with, but at the innuendos that came along with it.
Apparently, all were for Blaéz’s pleasure—to peel off with his teeth or how he saw fit—since she’dcock-blockeda gorgeous immortal like him with silly mortal traditions.
Oh, that had to be explained to Elytani since she had no clue whatthatwas.
It had been a relaxing afternoon, but after the trauma of last night, she really, really missed Blaéz.
A knock sounded. Kira leaped up from the armchair and dashed across to open the door. Soft voices drifted to her. Then Grace walked inside with the baby in her arms.
