Laurie spoke up. “I tried telling him the same, and he wouldn’t listen. It’s nice having two against one now. I might win a few more debates this way.”
Meadow shook her head. “Let’s not keep a tally. By all accounts, vampires are far more competitive than fae witches, and I don’t want to be stuck in the middle.”
Laurie took her other hand. “Never, love. I’d never do that. But I will always tease you and occasionally irritate Joseph justbecause.” He winked at Joseph. “He’s fun to make up with, and I can’t wait until we all get to experience that together.”
And just like that, Joseph laughed. “How you go from making me want to glare at you to wanting to kiss you, I’ll never understand, Laurie.”
He waggled his eyebrows. “Just a talent of mine.” He yanked Meadow’s arm until she sat between them, perched on a leg each. “Now, kiss us, Meadow. We need to get it out of our system before we arrive and need to behave in public.”
Joseph snorted, but as Laurie kissed Meadow, he ran a hand up under her skirts and found her wet and swollen already. She cried out as he stroked her clit, and she came within a minute. Laurie released her, and Joseph swallowed her cries as he continued to draw out her orgasm. After breaking the kiss, he held out his finger to Laurie, who licked it clean.
Meadow’s voice was breathy as she said, “Well, that’s a new record.”
Joseph smiled. “We just need to dress up for you more often, I think.”
She laughed. “You two are rather handsome tonight.”
The carriage slowed, and Meadow squeaked. “Please tell me you have a handkerchief so I can clean up.”
Laurie produced one and batted her hand away as he wiped between her thighs. Afterward, he sighed as he tucked it into a hidden compartment in the carriage. “I’d take it with me, but then I’d be hard all night.”
Meadow lightly swatted him as she got up and sat back down on the opposite side. “Try to behave, Laurie. I know that’s a big ask, but I want to make a good impression on these people.”
Joseph sensed there was more to her words, maybe about the uncertainty of her future, but the carriage stopped and one of the footman-slash-guards knocked on the door.
Right then and there, he decided to talk with Laurie about giving her a memorable night in the not-so-distant future. One where they could prove to her she wasn’t a temporary toy but the female they wanted to spend the rest of their lives with.
But for the moment, Joseph nodded at Laurie and opened the carriage door. It was time to prove to the fae witches that not all vampires were like Laurie’s father, and that they were worthy of being Meadow’s future husbands.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The night air helped to cool Meadow down after the little escapade in the carriage. She should’ve scolded Laurie and Joseph for what they’d done, but she hadn’t been able to. They brought out a side of herself that she’d never realized existed—she liked being adventurous. Only with Laurie and Joseph, but still. It was fun and exciting, and she wondered what else they could encourage her to do.
Before she could dwell on how they hadn’t said they loved her or wanted her as their wife, they reached the festival area and her mouth dropped open.
Magical lights hung from cords that created a spiral shape over the open green square. Under the multicolored lights was a temporary dance floor. Off to the side was a stage currently filled with musicians playing alongside instruments infused with magic to play on their own.
There were also small stalls lining the square, with everything from food to clothing to small trinket souvenirs. There were also stalls displaying their services, complete with examples of what their magical powers could do—miniature trees grown into shapes, animals who had multi-color coatsthat sparkled, and even a station where a fae witch female was shaping and changing hair color with magic alone.
It was such an open display of pride and fun and magic that Meadow had never seen before. Yes, there had been some festivals back in the US, but her father had never allowed them to go. Then she’d gone into hiding, and most definitely hadn’t been able to attend any.
Joseph murmured, “The sketches and articles I’ve read about the fae witch festivals didn’t do them justice.”
She smiled and looked up at him. “Hey, I’m a fae witch and even I’m impressed.”
A familiar, cool voice came from behind her. “I’m glad you like it, Miss Vale.”
She jumped and turned to find Dark Lord Khan a few feet away, near Leo and Yesenia.
For a second, she swore he looked uncomfortable with the crowd, but she had to be imagining it. Fae witches in this time period didn’t tolerate leaders ruling from afar, like in the future, and so he had to be used to the attention.
Meadow finally found her voice. “It’s beautiful, Dark Lord Khan. I’m glad we could come.”
He inclined his head. “Apart from my own residence, this is the safest space within my territory right now. Please enjoy the night. If you need anything, there are security guards stationed around the perimeter.”
She almost curtsied, but thought better of it. “Thank you.”
“Now, if you would excuse me. I need to show Dark Lord Yates around and introduce him later.”
