“Brummy has come a long way,” I said with a smile.
“As have you,” the king agreed with a nod.
From the corner of my eye, I noticed Foster slipping away from our group, drifting toward a cluster of elegantly dressed she-wolves. He moved with the casual confidence of a man who knew how attractive he was and how to use it.
“And there he goes,” Zane snickered into his cupped hand. “Ten bucks says Fosterlicious has at least two ladies entertaining him in a closet within the hour.”
“Zane!” I hissed, feeling heat climb my cheeks.
“What? Just stating facts.” He waggled his eyebrows.
“I’m right here, fucker.” Foster’s smooth, rich voice came from behind us, and I whirled around to smile at him, glad he’d comeback. He handed me a glass full of something pale gold and fizzy. “Just went to get Little Boss a drink, dumbass.”
“Champagne,” Casimir leaned down to whisper in my ear. “Have you had it before?”
I shook my head, wrinkling my nose as tiny bubbles tickled it.
“Small sips, then.”
“Yeah, butterfly. It’s not as potent as Goblin Moonshine, but we don’t want you climbing the fountain, either. That’smyschtick.” Zane straightened his tie with great dignity, then ruined it by flashing his wedding ring again when a passing gentleman glanced my way. “She’s taken!Triple-taken, actually. Move along, peasant. Nothing to see here.”
“Show some respect.” Koa cuffed him lightly on the back of the head. “We’re guests here.”
“Forgive my brother, Your Majesties,” Casimir sighed. “We’re still working onhispublic behavior.”
“No apologies necessary,” Queen Lilah said with a laugh. “It’s refreshing, to be honest.”
The king’s gaze, however, went from Casimir, who was scanning exits and assessing potential threats even at a royal gathering, to Koa, who had procured a plate of delicacies from a passing server and was offering me first choice. The king stared at Foster for a moment as the giant wolf shifter hovered over me, then at Zane, who had launched into an animated conversation with a nearby couple, gesturing with his left hand to ensure his wedding ring was on full display.
“Yes, hello, my wife married three of us,” I heard him say with pride. “I know, I know. She’s gorgeous, we’re gorgeous, it’s all very tragic for younormalpeople.”
“Zane,” Casimir warned, but there was amusement in his eyes.
“What? I’m just getting ahead of the gossip.” He winked at me. “Strategic public relations.”
I pressed my lips together to hide my smile, and King Julian turned to me with a bemused expression.
“You seem to be something of a monster whisperer.”
The observation caught me off guard, but I met his gaze steadily.
“I love everything about my new life with them.”
And I did. Six months ago, I’d been starving, captive, and alone. Now I had a family who would tear apart anyone who threatened me, and who let me be strong in my own right. I had a home filled withlaughter and safety. I had magic flowing freely through my veins again, no longer siphoned away by Arabesque’s cruelty.
A subtle change rippled through the room, a momentary hush followed by a buzz of conversation that now had an undercurrent of interest. I turned to see what was happening, and my heart gave a little leap of surprise and joy.
King Lucian Ro?u walked through the grand entrance, elegant in a tailored black suit. On his arm was Kaori, equally elegant in a deep purple gown that complemented her caramel skin and black curls. Sebastian trailed just behind them, his eyes scanning the room in a way that reminded me of Casimir: Alert, assessing, and missing nothing.
How the traitor in the vampire court had evaded him for so long was a mystery to me. I only hoped he caught the turncoat soon; not only was it a dangerous and potentially deadly threat to my family, the loose end was tormenting my new big brother.
The trio made their way to King Julian and Queen Lilah and exchanged formal greetings, the picture of diplomatic courtesy. I watched, still stunned by their unexpected appearance, until Lucian’s silver eyes found mine over Queen Lilah’s shoulder. My surprise and delight broke free and, before my husbands could react, I darted forward and threw my arms around my father-in-law.
“Papa! I didn’t know you were coming!”
“Hello, daughter.” He kissed my temple. “You look radiant, as always.”
I turned to embrace Kaori next, inhaling the scent of old books and jasmine that always seemed to cling to her.
