“Are you worried about the banquet tomorrow?” Malcolm squeezed my hand.
“Aren’t you?” I leaned against the railing. “It’s never been done before.”
“Doesn’t mean it’s going to be bad.” He rubbed my back. “But I agree with you as does Simeon and even Darrius. We can’t keep fighting each other like this. Some Fae are evil, some dark Fae are good. Your adoptive mother proved that to me. She could have killed you at any point. Could have brought you across the barrier when you came of age to breed you with dark Fae and yet she didn’t. She sacrificed herself for you to have a life.”
“Thank you.” I blinked back tears. “My whole world has flip-flopped and as much as I love it, it definitely takes some getting used to.”
“You’ll do fine.” He kissed my shoulder. “You were born a queen.”
I laughed to ease the tension in my chest. “None of that matters without you and Darrius and Simeon. I couldn’t do this without the three of you. You all are my foundation, my loves.”
He pulled me against him, kissing me softer than he ever had before. I leaned against him, basking in his presence. Regretting I was so tired when we ended the kiss. I snuggled into his embrace.
Darrius cleared his throat behind us. “Am I interruptin’ somethin’?”
“No.” I held out my free hand to him. “Come and join us.”
He grasped my hand and kissed it. “Wish I could, but we ‘ave a situation.”
I tensed. “What is it? An uprising?” Had he discovered who was responsible for the missing human women?
His glance at Malcolm didn’t tell me a damn thing.
“Tell me.”
“I think it’d be best if ye came an’ saw fer yerself.” Darrius tugged on my hand.
My heart hammered in my chest as both men walked me back into the castle. Neither said anything and I chewed at my lip.
In the gold foyer, a figure in a grey, hooded cloak stood.
“How can we help you?” I asked. If this was one of the women who’d gone missing, she could tell us what happened. I hoped the others were still alive and we could save them as well with her information.
The woman spun, then lowered her hood.
“Maggie?” I stared in disbelief.
She burst into tears. “I’m so sorry, Avery. I was wrong. Will you forgive me?”
I ran to her, throwing my arms around her. Joy bubbled up in my chest. “Of course, you’re my best friend forever. I love you.”
“I love you too.” She patted my arms, pushing back to gawk at me. “Uh…Avery are those wings?”
“Yes.” I wiped at my eyes. Then I grasped her hand, pulling her with me. “I’ll tell you everything. Are you hungry?”
“This sounds like it’s going to be a great story, and yes, I’m famished.”
I turned back to Darrius and Malcolm who gave me a wink.
Simeon came around the corner with his platinum hair standing on end. “I’ll have a meal for you both in half an hour.”
I bowed my head to him and led my friend to the dining hall. Didn’t know how she’d made it into Fae lands, but I was too happy to see her to question it.
We sat down at the table and one of the servants brought us goblets full of ale.
“So, what’s with the three Fae?” She tilted her head in the direction we’d come. “Are they your guards?”
“Yes, and more.” I leaned back in my chair. “They are my consorts and part of my court and I love them all.”
“Then you are one lucky lady.” She toasted her drink.
“Every day I tell myself the very same thing.” I lifted my goblet as well, drinking the heady ale.
“They are hot. I don’t blame you.”
“It’s more than that. I love them and they love me. Body, mind, and spirit. And I will never allow anything or anyone to jeopardize that.”
She held up her hands. “I’ve already got my own life full. Met some guys when I was searching for you.”
“Oh?” I arched an eyebrow. To crossover the Fae border, she’d need a Fae escort or an invitation. “Spill.”
“You first.” She trailed a finger over the ruby gems in the goblet. “A castle and three princes. Your story is far more interesting than mine.”
I told her everything while Simeon brought us his Fae specialty of a spicy casserole, then chocolate mousse as dessert. And I felt whole, complete with my best friend back and my men.
My life was better than I’d ever dreamed, and I knew deep inside it was only going to get better.