“I wouldn’t trade the world I came from because of the friends I made. I was very lucky to have them. But if I had known about all of this, who’s to say I wouldn’t have returned sooner.”
The song drew to a close, and when Leandre rejoined them, she took their hands, and Leandre said, “Selena has something to tell you, as well as some news.”
Selena waited on the outer periphery of the ballroom, and when they joined her, she walked with them out to the more private terrace that looked out over the orangery—which reminded her of something. “Is that orange tree in the ballroom going to be all right?”
Selena nodded. “It’s an unorthodox planting, to be sure. But the ballroom is built on the ground floor, so there’s no roots hanging down and languishing in the basement or tickling the cook’s head. It wouldn’t have grown otherwise. It’s under a skylight, so it’ll get enough light. The gardener and masons can come in and fix the marble around the planting so it looks pretty. Don’t worry, princess. For many years to come, it will serve as a reminder of the day that Princess Ninette-Nicola-Caresse, bride of King Sebastien and King Leandre, came into her own.”
“I just wanted to be sure.”
“Look out there and rest assured,” Sebastien said as he gazed at the grove of trees.
“It’s hard to see.”
“You should fix that,” Sebastien said with a chuckle.
“I need more light,” she said and then gasped as the light orbs flickered, and where once it was night, light chased away the darkness.
“Truly beautiful,” Leandre said, and when she looked up at him, he was gazing at her.
Selena said, “The power was yours all along. You just didn’t realize it. You never have to worry about being trapped in the dark again.”
Caresse tilted her head and pointed at Selena’s open-toed slippers. “That has been bugging me all night.”
“What has?” Sebastien asked, scanning the terrace floor.
Selena giggled. “She means my pedicure, prince.”
“Will I see her again?”
“Yes, I promise, you’ll see both of them again.”
“Are they here?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes.”
“Can you tell me if they ever found the cat? I’ve wondered. She was so beautiful and had no business being in the wilderness around Rainier.”
“Oh, she knew exactly what she was about, the little minx. She’s perfectly fine, and she got found just in the nick of time.”
“And your bling-y toenails? Rhinestones on silver? That could only be—”
“I admired her toenails. I never for a second thought she had all the stuff with her to do a pedicure.”
“She carries everything in that backpack.”
“I was supposed to get a manicure, too, for your ball. We were about to get started on it when Sebastien interrupted my girl time.”
“Does she know about what happened with me? Or with Angel?”
“Not yet, but she will. You’re all on your own trajectories for now. But you’ll see each other again. All in good time.”
“And my father—”
“He’s already retired for the night, princess,” Selena said. “His trip was long and more arduous than he let on, and he’s had a shock. He’s invited the three of you to the mansion for a special breakfast tomorrow, and I took the liberty of accepting the invitation for you.”
“Will you be there?”
She shook her head. “I really need to get back. Trouble has a way of finding Elaina quicker than I can keep up with. When you go to the mansion tomorrow, make sure and ask George for your mother’s portrait. He saved all of her things when Desdemona tried to burn them. Yes, she did try on her own but failed. Anyway, your father can show you all of that.”
Caresse was just gearing up to ask another question when she noticed a faraway look come into Selena’s eyes, and then she gasped and startled. “Crap! Don’t do anything yet!” she yelled and then focused on them once more. “Sorry, but I gotta go! The shit just hit the fan!”
Sebastien frowned and grimaced. “Another idiom from your world? How disgusting.”
“It’s just an expression, prince!” Selena hollered as she ran down the terrace. “I’ll see the three of you after the dust settles. Enjoy your baby-making time!”
Poof! And she was gone.
Caresse looked after her, wondering when she’d return. “Well, at least I’m not quite as in the dark as I was earlier.”
The bell in the clock tower that soared above Plaisir D’Or rang out one long, pure note, followed by another, and another.
“It’s midnight, princess,” Leandre murmured as he came up behind her, brushed her hair away from her neck, and kissed her there, raising gooseflesh all over her body.
“It is indeed,” Sebastien agreed. He drew close enough for her to feel his body heat through his sexy leather suit. His lips were even hotter as they pressed a trail of kisses down her throat. “You smell so good in this spot,” he whispered as he rubbed his nose against her collarbone.
“You smell good everywhere,” Leandre said. “Sweet like oranges, because you’re our fae lover.”
“And sexy like a woman, because you’re beyond everything we ever hoped for or desired. One could even say out of this world.”
The bells continued to ring in the clock tower.
“Wha-what happens at midnight?”
Her very sexy faery bodyguard and her charming prince chuckled, and Leandre said, “The fae claim their bride and live happily ever after.”
Hey, Selena quipped in the mental chat room. Don’t count your dragon eggs before they’re hatched. Just sayin’.
Caresse could feel his smile in his kiss and giggled as Sebastien nibbled at her collarbone and replied. Enchantress, we’ll let you work that out on your end. I’m sure the situation is in good hands.
Caresse pulled back from them. “Did she say dragon eggs?”
THE END
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Midnight of the Fae [Tangere Tales 2] (Siren Publishing Menage Everlasting) Page 20
