Even from the back, Blake’s gown was absolutely stunning. Of course, I’d been the one to pick it out. I’d known that with such a knockout dress, my statuesque friend would thrill not only Austin but her legion of fans in the settlements as well. The back was plunging, Blake’s smooth skin exposed. The gown was belted tightly at the waist then flowed out in frothy waves into a full skirt. Her hair was pulled back into an elegant bun, with loose tendrils around her face. Blake’s best accessory, of course, was her brilliant smile. She hadn’t stopped grinning from ear to ear.
For his part, Austin hadn’t stopped staring at her, tears in his eyes. Much to the amusement of the officiant and of Blake herself, he forgot to speak at several points during the ceremony because he was too overwhelmed with emotion.
“Your Highness.” Blake leaned forward with a whisper only me and the other bridesmaids could hear. “Go on, now. It’s your turn. As soon as we’ve finished, we get to kiss, remember?”
“Oh… Yes.” He still looked dazed, but Austin speedily recounted his vows after that.
I kept feeling eyes on me. I peered around Gwyneth’s shoulder and found Rhys staring. I held my chin up, not responding. But I did have to admit, albeit briefly and only to myself, that the werewolf looked attractive in his ceremonial uniform. His thick hair was pulled back sleekly, showcasing his strong nose and chin and the lustrous glow of his dark complexion. He looked taller and spectacularly muscular even with his clothes on—I’d have to remember to tell him that to make him feel better about covering up his abs.
I ignored him as his eyes grazed my body hungrily. Let him look. My dress, with its plunging diamond-encrusted bodice, was fabulous on me. He might as well enjoy the view. But if he touched me with one filthy paw, that would be another matter entirely.
Gwyneth, Eve, Shaye, Blake, and I stood in a circle, our champagne flutes raised. It was lovely to be reunited with Princess Gwyneth. She was the maid of honor. Her purple gown matched the rest of ours in color, but it had a higher neckline and a longer train. Her red tresses were pulled up into a tasteful chignon. Even though she was from the settlements, she’d been every inch royalty since her marriage to Prince Dallas Black. Still, she was a princess of the people. Both she and Dallas had sworn to serve and protect the human settlers. Gwyneth was one of them, and she would never abandon her people.
Shaye Iman was also a bridesmaid. A fellow Goodwill Ambassador, she’d devoted herself to working on initiatives that would benefit the disenfranchised members of the settlements. Shaye looked lovely as always in her bridesmaid gown that showcased her enviable curves. Her thick tawny ringlets were pulled up off her face, accentuating her enormous brown eyes and burnished-copper skin.
Eve had managed to wrangle her way out of wearing a bridesmaid dress. To my horror and her delight, she wore a dark ceremonial uniform, the trousers tucked snugly into highly polished boots. Her white-blond curls were loose to her chin, and she’d somehow gotten away without wearing a stitch of makeup.
Blake raised her glass higher. “To the best friends I’ve ever had.” Her eyes misted over.
“Mind your mascara,” I chided.
“Oh, Tamara.” She hugged me hard, almost spilling my drink. “Thank you for everything. Today was everything I ever dreamed of—and such dreams were beyond me for many, many years.”
I cleared my throat and wiped at my own eyes. “You’re welcome. It’s my pleasure.”
“See, that’s exactly what I mean.” Blake released me and grinned at us even as her tears threatened to spill over. “When I got selected for The Pageant, the best I hoped for was decent food and maybe some help for my family. Instead, I’ve gained another family. You are my sisters. Thank you so much for being here with me on my special day. It means the world to me.”
“Cheers!” We all clinked our glasses together.
Blake winked at us. “And special thanks to Eve, who is a reluctant bridesmaid for the second time.”
Eve raised her chin. She hated to wear fancy gowns, vastly preferring trousers. “At least you let me wear my uniform.”
“Aw, Eve, I’m sorry I made you wear that bridesmaid dress at my wedding.” Gwyneth hugged Eve then whispered, “But I think my brother prefers you in trousers, anyway. He can’t stop staring.”
“Gwyneth…” Two hectic spots of color bloomed on Eve’s cheeks.
“Don’t pretend you don’t know what she’s talking about.” Shaye surreptitiously inclined her head toward the knot of men standing nearby. Balkyn, Gwyneth’s older brother, was indeed staring at Eve. “He’s smitten with you.”
Eve cleared her throat. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to…” She fled without finishing her excuse, her face turning scarlet.
Balkyn left his group and followed her, and we all giggled.
“Ah, love is in the air.” Gwyneth waved to her husband, Prince Dallas, and he blew her a kiss from where he stood. She turned to me, grinning. “Speaking of love, I happened to notice a certain tall, dark, and handsome someone who couldn’t keep his eyes off of you during the ceremony, Tamara.”
I primly took a sip of champagne. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Well, I do, because I could see him ogling you while I was saying my vows,” Blake said. “It was distracting.”
“That werewolf can ogle all he likes.” I was careful to keep my voice down. “He accosted me on the grounds this morning. He looked as though he’d slept in a ditch.”
“Oh no,” Gwyn said in mock horror. “Not that. Whatever did you do?”
“I told him to bathe, of course.” I glowered at my friend. “He asked if jumping in the pond constituted a bath. Can you imagine?”
Gwyn eyed Rhys appraisingly. “He did something to clean himself up. Looks quite good in his leathers, if you ask me.”
I grimaced at her even though she was right—the werewolf was undeniably handsome. “I think I liked you better when you were too uptight to say such things. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a beast to train.”
Gwyn almost spit out her champagne. “Tamara!”
I tossed my hair over my shoulder and smoothed my gown so that my assets were advantageously displayed. “Watch and learn, ladies.” I started to walk directly past Rhys, not giving him a second glance.
“Lady Layne,” he growled, “are you blowing me off?”
I looked at him in surprise. “Well, hello. I didn’t see you there. Are you enjoying yourself so far?”
He broke apart from the group of men he was talking to. “It’s better now that the ceremony is over and our friends are happily settled. Now I can concentrate on you, my lady.”
“Well, if you insist—I would love some more champagne.” When he didn’t move, I arched my eyebrow. “That was a hint, Rhys. Will you fetch some for me? It would be very chivalrous if you would.”
He mouthed the word chivalrous as though he’d never heard it before but then took action. As a waiter passed by us, bearing a tray of champagne flutes, Rhys snarled, “Hey! Stop right there!”
The vampire waiter froze. He knew exactly who and what Rhys was. “S-Sorry, my lord.”
“You didn’t think I’d want something fancy like this, eh?” Rhys swiped two glasses from the tray, rattling the rest.
“I didn’t see you. My apologies.” The waiter tensed.
“Well, don’t do it again. I own you, mate. Bring me these fizzy drinks all night. You pass by me again, I’ll chomp your heart out.” Rhys growled for emphasis.
The waiter looked as though he might faint. “Y-Yes, my lord.” He hustled away, the remaining champagne flutes jangling dangerously against each other.
“Here you are, my lady.” Rhys smiled broadly then handed me a glass. “I am but your humble servant.”
“You are but my humble arse.” I made sure my voice was low enough that only he could hear.
He gaped. “What’s the matter? You wanted champagne, I got you champagne.”
“You threatened the waiter at a dignified celebration. That is a no-no, Rhys. You do not need to speak to people like that until you do, and then feel free to scare the bejeebles out of anyone who crosses the line. But a gentleman, a royal, a king”—I couldn’t picture the werewolf before me as a king, but that was what he would be soon—“doesn’t need to shout, bully, or beg. He simply and politely asks.”
Rhys nodded, looking thoughtful. “I’ll try that, my lady.”
Another server came closer, this one bearing appetizers. “Follow my lead,” I instructed. The werewolf paid close attention as I smiled at the waitress, catching her eye.
“Would you like a salmon puffed pastry?” she asked. “It’s garnished with a mint compote.”
“Oh, delicious. We’d like two, please.”
I handed one of the treats to Rhys, who scowled at it. “What is a puffed pastry and a mint whatever-she-said?”
“It’s divine. Just eat it.” I tasted mine and moaned. “It’s scrumptious, trust me.”
Rhys stared at the delicate flaky crust of the appetizer and proceeded to shovel the entire thing into his mouth in one bite. “Oh, bloody hell,” he choked, his mouth full. Flaky crumbs shot forth and showered the floor around us. “This is disgusting.” He guzzled his champagne in one sip, washing it down, and belched loudly. “I never—who would do that to a decent piece of fish? It’s heresy!”
I grimaced. “I would. I’m the one who ordered all the food.”
“Ah.” He chuckled, his eyes still watering from choking. “I can tell I’m not doing very well with this. Maybe we need more drinks.”
A flash of gold from across the room caught my eye. From beneath his gleaming crown, King Reginald was studying us. Queen Serena stood close at his side, wearing her signature cerulean-blue gown. They probably expected the werewolf to behave boorishly at the reception. We needed to make a better showing, and it was on me to guide Rhys. I cursed under my breath.
“What was that?” Rhys leaned closer.
“We can do better than this.” I faced the werewolf. “We’re being watched by the king and queen. Do you think you can behave long enough to dance?”
His expression sobered immediately. “Absolutely.”
I held out my hand. “Then come with me and do exactly as I say.” I dragged him out onto the dance floor just as the orchestra began a waltz. “You put your hand here”—I planted his big paw of a hand on my waist—“and hold my other one.”
He laced his thick fingers through mine and flexed the palm of his hand on my hip. I wasn’t sure why, but I shivered. I was much shorter than the werewolf, even in my spiked heels. He’d kept his promise and taken a proper bath. He smelled like soap and something spicy, earthy, and not as unpleasant as I would have expected.
Rhys bent his neck, bringing his mouth closer to my ear. “Shall we begin, my lady?”
The feel of his cool breath made me tingle. I ignored it. “Yes. I’m going to show you a box step. Like this.” I guided him back a step, to the side, then forward once more. We only collided once—I smashed into his rock-hard chest, almost knocking the wind out of myself. “Oof.”
“Sorry about that.” He glanced cautiously at the king and queen, but they were chatting with some of the other guests. “Can we try again?” The hopeful tone in his voice made me smile.
“Yes, but try not to barrel into me, okay? It’s like hitting a brick wall.”
Rhys beamed. “Thank you, my lady.”
I shook my head, puzzled. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t exactly mean that as a compliment.”
The werewolf laughed, lusty and deep. “If a brick wall and an arse are the worst things you call me tonight, I guess I’m doing all right. Do you like to waltz, my lady?”
“I love it. I always have, since I was a little girl.” My father had taught me the box step by having me stand on his feet while he danced.
“I find the movements more than a bit awkward, but for you, I will dance.” Rhys tightened his grip at my waist.
Again—I wasn’t sure why—I shivered. Maybe I’m allergic to werewolves. He leaned closer, his breath wafting across my cheek and down my neck. My skin felt very, very hot.
Perhaps I was coming down with something.
“Tamara Layne, as I live and breathe, you’re a sight for sore eyes!” Mira Kinney, the celebrity television host, accosted me at the chocolate-fondue station.
“Hello, Mira.” I air-kissed the flawless blonde.
Mira had been the host of The Pageant, and she’d always favored me. That night, the vampire celebrity wore a hot-pink column gown made of heavy satin. A giant bow was tied off to the side at her neck. Her hair was coiffed to perfection into an icy-blond helmet.
“I’ve heard we have you to thank for all this.” She waved her hand around the great hall, which was decorated with garlands of flowers, twinkling fairy lights, and centerpieces bursting with blooms from the castle gardens. “It’s spectacular.”
“Well, thank you. I agree.” I smiled proudly. “It had to be perfect for my darling Blake. She’s too busy being happy to plan something so complicated.”
Mira sighed as we watched Blake and Austin glide around the dance floor. The vampire prince had his princess wrapped in his arms. They gazed deep into each other’s eyes, talking and laughing.
“It’s nice to see you girls getting settled.” Mira eyed me. “Now, tell me, what’s going on with you? It’s been the talk of the party, you and that werewolf.”
I checked my urge to grimace. I needed to make Rhys look good to Mira as she had the ears of the king and queen. “Ah, yes, Rhys. He’s handsome, don’t you think? He’s about to be crowned king of the Realm.”
“Werewolves have never been my type, but…” Mira nudged me with her bony elbow. “This one’s quite a catch, isn’t he?”
“Oh, yes.” I was an excellent actress. “Any young woman would be lucky to be fancied by him. She’ll be queen.”
Mira scanned the crowd then smiled shrewdly. “It looks as though someone’s already caught his fancy.”
I followed her gaze. There stood the werewolf leader, staring at me with that same hungry look on his face. “Perhaps I should get him some food,” I said, hurrying away.
Mira’s laughter wafted after me. “I don’t think that’s what he’s craving, darling.”