Sophie smiles, but a single tear manages to escape, which I quickly swipe with my thumb. Then I release her and nod at the box in her hand. “Would you like me to slip that on for you?”
“Yes, please,” she whispers.
I remove the band from the box and place it on her finger. Sophie holds up her left hand, waggling the emerald ring, which winks and sparkles. “It’s beautiful, a perfect fit.”
“Do you really like the ring?” I’m still insecure when it comes to Sophie, probably because I need her so much more than she needs me. She has the power to complete me in ways I never believed possible.
“I love it,” she says. “And I loveyoumore.”
“Well if you’re really sure…”
“About you or the ring?” Sophie teases, taking my hand and leading me out to the car.
I pause, my hand on the car door. “Both.”
Sophie’s eyes lock on mine. “I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.” And then she adds with a mischievous grin, “Wolf-boy.”
Snorting at her silly nickname for me, I close her car door and step around to the driver’s side. As I’m starting the old Caddy, Sophie holds up her hand again to gaze at her ring. “Where did you find this?”
“It’s kind of a long story.”
“Tell me on the way to the chapel.”
“Alright.” I give her a sly wink. “This story begins, as all the best stories do, with a faerie bargain, a beady-eyed troll, and a wolf-boy in love with a faerie princess...”
Sophie’s brilliant giggles fill the car. “Not Granny Catbeam and Talo the pawnbroker!”
“The very same.”
“Now I know you love me,” she quips.
“My dearest Sophie.” I pick up her left hand and plant tender kisses along the inside of her wrist and all the way up to her elbow, smiling as she trembles at my touch. “I’m yours for as long as life endures.”
Chapter 38
Broken Wings
SOPHIE
Saturday, August 18
After Teddy dropped me off at Spectra’s Salon this morning to meet Pru and the other bridesmaids for our hair and makeup appointments, he promised me one more birthday surprise… but what could possibly top my gorgeous wolf-boy fiancé and his lovely emerald ring?
I’m holding Pru’s bouquet and mine as she and Vreeland exchange their vows inside Mooncrest Chapel, a beautiful, historic old building with lots of polished wood and stained glass. My mind keeps wandering as I envision Teddy and myself where Vreeland and Pru are now standing in front of the altar—our happily ever after is four months away!
I keep scanning the pews, trying to spot Teddy, but I don’t see any strapping Scandinavian types with flowing, shoulder-length locks. Whereisthat man? As my eyes rove over the crowd for the third time, I notice a dashingguy in a black suit with collar-length blond hair smirking back at me.
I scowl at him; who does that werewolf think he is, flirting with a soon-to-be-married woman? Then his handsome face breaks into a broad grin, and my eyes pop so wide Pru’s mother gives me a concerned look from the front pew; I think she’s worried I’m about to have a fainting spell like a noblewoman from one of those Regency novels.
I nod reassuringly at Mrs. Albright, who returns her gaze to Pru and Vreeland. Then I smile at Teddy, who looks so handsome and confident with his shorter hair that I could actually swoon for him right here in front of everyone, but I quickly get a grip. I’d never want to create a scene on Pru’s wedding day by fainting because my fiancé is even more drop-dead gorgeous now than he was this morning.
I have no doubt his supermodel hairstyle is Spectra’s handiwork, and I sigh. I’ve finally started getting used to all the ladies fawning over Teddy in his former, long-haired glory; now there’ll be another round of flirtatious giggling everywhere we go.
It’s not easy being engaged to a man as hot as Leslie Theodore Barker.
“Well, what do you think?”he asks me after the rest of the guests depart for cocktails and appetizers in the main building next door. We’re still in the chapel waiting for Julien Drakus to finish takingphotos of the bridal party; Pru is so sweet she wants Teddy in a few of the pictures with me.
“While I’ll miss toying with your long hair, I really like your new look,” I say, brushing a wavy lock from his forehead. “But why the change?”
