“I’m hardly a grand lady.”
“You don’t understand. Lord Monroe is very influential. You know he’s on the Council. No one crosses him unless they’re willing to come out of it worse for wear.”
“Except Bast.”
“Lord Cantrell was never afraid of Lord Monroe,” she chortles. “He and the Master have been friends their whole lives. Don’t move. We’ll have you fixed up in no time.”
As she dresses me, I gaze into the full-length mirror. An image of a fairy-tale princess greets my eyes. Mesmerized, I study the round neckline, high, empire waistline, and elbow-length fluttery sleeves. I run my hands down the fitted bodice. How do they make a garment so amazing?
She sweeps my hair back into a loose braid, weaving silk forget-me-nots on a wire through my hair. Light blue ballet flats complete the ensemble.
“There,” she says stepping back. “Oh, miss, you’re lovely! Lord Monroe is going to be so pleased.”
“Thank you, Serena. I hope so.”
“Do you need anything else?”
“Am I meeting Monroe somewhere or is he going to come to get me?”
“He’ll come for you. He looks dashing!” She covers her mouth in horror. “I mean, yes, miss. I’m sorry for behaving in such a free manner.”
I touch her shoulder. “You don’t have to be so formal around me. I don’t mind if you think Monroe is dashing. I agree with you.”
She gives a flustered curtsy and flees the room.
Monroe enters and watches Serena’s departing figure. “What happened? Did you shout at her? Do I need to have a talk with her?”
“No, I didn’t and please don’t do anything. I think she’s shy.”
“Ah, yes. She’s been trained to say as little as possible, work quickly, and stay out of the way.”
“I like her, but I don’t want her to be afraid around me. She’s deathly scared of you.”
“Unlike my errant valet.” He pauses and gazes at me. “You’re a vision.”
“Serena found it.” I spin in a circle, giving him the full effect. “It’s not mine, though.”
“Yes, it is. I had the dress made for you. I didn’t want you feeling out of place. Things are more formal here.”
I put my hands on my hips. “You can’t keep doing this.”
Tucking a finger under my chin, he lifts my face. “It’s my pleasure to provide for you.”
“You’re being extravagant again.”
“No more protests. You look lovely.” He squeezes my hand. “We’ll go to breakfast and afterward stop at Bast’s castle. Alexia will be delighted to meet you. She’s been one of my greatest supporters.” Before I can say anything else he whisks me from the room.
After breakfast, Monroe leads me out into the courtyard.
“Don’t let go of my hand,” he says.
I tighten my hold. Monroe gives me a half-smile and closes his eyes. My vision blurs and dizziness encompasses me. Then things come back into focus. A gigantic door looms in front of us. Monroe bangs on it.
A man, slightly older than Ayres, opens the door. “Lord Monroe. I assume this is Miss Brighton?”
“Yes.” Monroe grins. “Sasha, meet Rictor, Bast’s ever-patient butler.”
Rictor gives me a polite bow.
Monroe rests his foot on the threshold. “Is your idiotic master awake?”
“He’s in the main parlor today, sir.” Rictor bows and Monroe leads the way through various stonewall passages. Portraits of men and women with dark eyes stare down at me as Monroe speeds down the hall. Like Monroe’s castle, Bast’s home is also drafty and I wish I had thought to bring a sweater.
At last we stop in front of a plain wooden door. “Bast, you misbegotten jackal, are you in there?” Monroe bellows.
“For love of the Third Realm, Monroe! One would think Miss Brighton would’ve encouraged manners in you,” a voice tinged with humor calls. “Come in, you foul lion.”
Monroe bangs open the door. We step into a large, airy room filled with high-back onyx chairs padded with red cushions. In one of them, near a fireplace, a woman sits. Her long, black hair shimmers in the firelight. Deep purple and blue highlights sparkle in her tresses. Her hair cascades down her back, held in place by a silver headband. She wears a floor-length, shiny purple gown, with sleeves that stop an inch above the elbows. The skirt flows down to her feet. Silver bangles glitter from her wrists and a gold ring on her left hand catches the light. She’s the most elegant woman I’ve ever seen. How can I approach her? Then she smiles. The knot in my stomach loosens and I get the feeling I can tell her anything.
A man, a little shorter than Monroe, with sleek black hair, dancing dark eyes, and a huge grin on his face steps forward. He clasps Monroe’s free hand. “I see you finally brought Miss Brighton. Now we know who’s got you acting like a lovesick puppy.” He gives me a wink. “I’m Bastian J. Cantrell, but everyone calls me Bast.” He bows.
Monroe leans over and whispers in my ear, “We’d like to call him another name, but we don’t want to insult females or other canids.”
Bast shoots him a glare. “We have another name for Monroe, however no one wants an angry donkey.”
Monroe folds his arms. “He’s jealous because lions are better hunters.”
Bast raises an eyebrow. “Are you compensating for something, Monroe?”
A tinkling laugh fills the room. “Both of you stop.” Bast’s expression softens as the woman rises and glides over. “I’m Bast’s wife, Alexia.”
“Monroe says you are expecting. Congratulations.”
She glows. “Thank you so much, Miss Brighton.”
“Please, call me Sasha.”
Alexia gives my hand a tug. “Come by the fire and we’ll talk. The men can bring the coffee.”
“Go on,” Monroe whispers, “she won’t bite.”
I grimace at Monroe’s joke and sit in one of the chairs next to Alexia.
“I’ve never seen Monroe so happy,” she says. “He must love you very much.”
“He says he does.”
“No doubt.” In a soft voice she says, “And you, do you love Monroe?”
“I don’t know. He’s promised to give me time.”
“Monroe is a gentleman. We’ve been quite worried about him. You see, he and Bast are like brothers.”
Monroe and Bast pick up mugs of coffee and join us. Steam rises from the cups, sending a rich, chicory scent into the air.
“Alexia worries about everyone,” Monroe interrupts. “She’s acted as a mother would before she even conceived.”
“I can’t help it,” Alexia says. “Monroe needs looking after.”
“Do not,” he protests.
Bast laughs. “Sure you don’t. What about when you lose your temper? You need someone who can coax you out of it. I’m tired of being in charge of that.”
“No one asked you to,” Monroe retorts.
“Now, boys.” Alexia cuts in. “You keep arguing and you’ll give Sasha a bad impression. She’s not used to your banter.”
Monroe sits next to me and hands me one of the cups. “It’s Bast’s fault,” he says in my ear. “He brings out the worst in people.”
“I heard that.” Bast settles in the empty brown leather chair near Alexia. “Around him we can’t be happy. No smiling, either.”
“It would teach you a lesson if someone wiped that smirk off your face,” Monroe grumbles. “It’s only out of respect for Alexia that I haven’t done it.”
“You two are terrible.” Alexia shakes her head. “I appreciate your thoughtfulness, Monroe. I prefer my husband intact.”
I lean closer to Alexia. “Do they always behave this way?”
She eyes Monroe and Bast mischievously. “Yes, always. You and I are going to have our hands full keeping these two from ripping each other apart. The good news is, they actually love each other as family and wouldn’t do any serious harm.”
“That’s what Alexia thinks,” Monroe interjects. “I’v
e no problems skewering her empty-headed husband.”
“If you could catch me before I’d run you through.”
Alexia claps her hands together. “Let’s remember we have a guest and we don’t want to scare the poor thing off.”
Bast’s expression changes to horror. “The Creator forbid! We’ll back to dealing with a woebegone lion.”
“Oh, thank you, Bast,” Monroe says, his tone sarcastic. “I appreciate your consideration of my feelings.”
“Anytime.”
“Perhaps,” Alexia says, “if Sasha doesn’t mind, you can go hunting and get your excess energy out. She and I can have a nice, quiet chat, while you two take your competition elsewhere.”
“Do you mind?” Monroe asks.
I shoo him off. “Go be a lion.”
Monroe presses a dramatic kiss on my lips.
Alexia laughs while Bast makes gagging noises. My cheeks burn.
Monroe tosses me one last smile, then stands. “Come on, Bast. Let’s see what we can stir up.”
“How about we try Bermont Woods this time? I hear the bison have come back.”
Monroe rubs his hands together. “A delicacy.”
“Not in front of Sasha,” Alexia scolds. “Bring me back a deer if you don’t mind. I prefer venison.” She turns to me. “In my current condition, I can’t transform and go with them.”
“Monroe and I talked about this a little.”
“Thank you for understanding. We’re generally in control of that side of ourselves, but going too long makes one antsy. It’ll be a while before I can hunt for myself, again.”
Bast kisses her cheek lightly. “I’ll bring you back an extra special one to make up for it.”
She pats his arm. “My sweet Bast.”
Monroe leans over to give me another kiss and Bast grabs his arm dragging him away. “Easy there, you aren’t married, yet.”
Monroe grumbles, but gives me a wink as they leave the room.
Once they’re gone, Alexia pulls her chair closer to mine. “Now we may talk.” When I don’t say anything, she sets aside her cup and gets comfortable in her seat. “Tell me about your world, the First Realm. I’ve never been there.”
“Not everyone lives in a castle. Mostly apartment buildings or houses.”
“The castles are family legacies. So, rather than tearing them down, most of us are content to furnish them for our own use.”
“There’s no magic in my reality, either,” I continue. “We do everything for ourselves, or use machines.”
She leans forward eagerly. “Tell me more.”
“For one thing, cars aren’t as fast as closing your eyes and willing yourself wherever you want to be.”
Alexia runs her hands over her stomach. “Are they comfortable? I’ve never ridden in one. Minuet Randolph rode in a couple when she met John. She told me it’s very different.”
“It is. You see the scenery and everything go by, whereas with magic it’s immediate change. Your way is a little disorienting.”
“I can imagine. Have you met Minuet and John?”
“Not yet.”
“Perhaps you will at the ball later this week.” Alexia waves her hand.
“Ball?” What would I do at a ball?
Her brows knit together. “Monroe didn’t tell you?”
“No.” Strange. Why didn’t he tell me?
“Neru Vytale, one of the Council members, is very curious to meet you. When he heard Monroe was bringing you here, he insisted we have a ball at his palace.”
Nervously, I squeeze the armrests. “I prefer not to be the center of attention.”
“There will be dinner and dancing, so you’ll have a break. However, I should warn you. Everyone wants to meet you.”
“Everyone?” In my mind’s eye, I envision a huge crowd around me.
Alexia looks concerned. “Did I say something wrong?”
“I’m not a fan of crowds. The ball sounds bigger than what I’m used to.”
She makes a tsk-tsk noise with her tongue. “I wish Monroe would’ve told you. Don’t worry. It sounds huge, but they aren’t so bad.”
“Thanks.”
Alexia begins talking about their lands and how she’s glad I came. Then she switches and describes her and Bast’s excitement over becoming parents and the concerns about twins. “It was unexpected. At first we thought I was only carrying one, then Bast said he could smell another baby. The male man-beasts here have a very sensitive sense of smell.”
I nod, not knowing what to say. She asks about my job, apartment, and interests. I tell her about my students and the books I love. My anxiety about the ball doesn’t go away, yet, with Alexia’s calm and gentle manners, it’s easier to relax. By the time Monroe and Bast get back, I feel better.
“If it wasn’t for me, you never would’ve gotten that one,” Monroe says as he and Bast stride into the room. “You know, Delton has more finesse than you.”
“You’re jealous I got a larger one than you,” Bast retorts.
“You only say that because yours was furrier.”
Alexia stands between the two of them. “Perhaps if you’re quite finished with your debate, you might remember we have a guest.”
Bast looks at me, his face apologetic. “Where are my manners? I’m sorry, Sasha. I hope you enjoyed your visit.”
“Yes.” I stand. “We had a nice time.”
Monroe wraps an arm around my waist, kissing my cheek. “I’m glad.”
Alexia wags a finger at Monroe. “You didn’t tell her about Neru’s get-together. I’m shocked, Monroe.”
His grip on my waist tightens. “I tried talking Neru out of it, but he was adamant.”
I shrug. “I’ll manage. Except next time, let me know.”
“Duly noted.” Monroe turns to Bast and Alexia. “We appreciate your hospitality. We should go, now. I’m sure my cooks will be disappointed if Sasha doesn’t have lunch there. They’re delighted with her.”
“Thank you for coming.” Alexia hugs me and Bast kisses my hand.
Monroe says goodbye to Bast and Alexia and we leave the castle. Once again, we’re back at Monroe’s home before I can register the change in surroundings. Monroe’s hand steadies me as we enter his dining hall.
After lunch, I plead a headache and go to my room and lay down. Perhaps Alexia’s right. Maybe the ball will even be fun. Am I still dreaming? I pinch my arm for good measure and smile at the pain. Okay, I’ll handle the ball, somehow, but what else awaits me?
Chapter 19: Monroe
Afternoon shadows slant across the grounds as I stare out the window. Anticipation swells within me. Ayres picked out a gown for Sasha and wouldn’t show it to me.
“Miss Brighton will dazzle everyone in this gown,” was all he said.
Next time I’ll make him show me or he’ll be fired. Comforted by the thought, I finish getting cleaned up and cinch my robe around my waist.
Ayres materializes in my room. “I have your tuxedo ready, my lord.”
I give a nod of approval at the black tux with a gray colored bowtie and vest he’s chosen. “It’ll do.”
While he helps me shrug into my clothes, I let my thoughts wander. I hope Sasha has fun tonight. Ayres fastens the cufflinks and fixes my tie. She’ll outshine everyone. Knowing her, she won’t think so. I frown. Doesn’t she realize she’s gorgeous? People here are curious about her. Other than John and Neru’s granddaughter-in-law, Lucy, she’s the only other Firstling in the Third Realm. Perhaps I can ease her concerns. My brain races through possibilities on how to do that.
Ayres clears his throat.
“Yes?”
He taps his watch. “It’s time.”
I face my reflection in the mirror. “Well, Ayres, you did a passable job in getting me ready. I guess you may keep your job awhile longer.” I slide on my family crest ring, and check the time on my pocket watch. “Is Sasha ready?”
Ayres straightens my family medals of honor. “I’ll find out, sir.�
�� He dematerializes into a cloud of smoke.
I glance once again at the mirror. With luck, Sasha will like what she sees.
Ayres reappears. “Miss Brighton will meet you in the sitting room, sir.”
I give him a nod and stride briskly down the hall. Outside the door, I suck in a breath and enter the room. Every coherent thought escapes me, and my heartbeat accelerates. “Good evening, Sasha.”
She turns around. A shimmering pale pink floor-length ball gown sparkles around her. Sleeveless, the dress provides me an unobstructed view of her shapely arms. She shifts nervously, her features a mask of uncertainty. A piece of silken hair escapes the diamond clasp. Before I’m aware, I reach out and finger the strand. More diamonds glitter from her ears. A silver version of the locket glints in the firelight. Stepping back, I blink. “You’re a vision.”
“So, you approve?”
“Without question.” I clasp her white-gloved hand in mine and kiss her fingers. “Everyone else will seem bland beside you.” I tuck her hand into the crook of my arm. “There’s no way anyone could rival you.” She opens her mouth and I place a finger on her lips. “You’re exquisite, and I won’t hear anything to the contrary.”
“Ahem.” For the first time I notice Ayres standing in a corner. “The carriage awaits, sir.”
“Carriage?” she asks.
I roll my eyes. “Blame Neru. He loves formality.”
Interest replaces her shy expression. “I don’t mind. I’ve always wanted to ride in a carriage.”
We pass from the room, down the hall, and through the front door.
“Wow,” Sasha says. She rests a hand on the top of a sparkling onyx wheel and runs her hand along the frame until she comes to a stop by the Dubay Lion’s head crest painted on the door of the carriage. “Much fancier than I expected.” She steps aside when a footman jumps down.
The footman lifts the door latch and helps Sasha inside. She settles on the red velvet bench and I spring up next to her. The door shuts behind me.
I squeeze her hand. “Relax, my sweet, you’ll be fine.”
“Don’t lie. If we’re going through all this trouble it’s bound to be a colossal event.”
“Well, Neru’s ballroom is gigantic.”
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