Snake in the Grass (Fairy Tales of a Trailer Park Queen Book 3)

by Kimbra Swain

  Slowly I stepped away from him, locked in his gaze. Azure flames seared into me. Quickly I turned away, his hand grazed the edge of my skirt flipping it up at the last second. I grabbed my bare ass as I turned to face him again. “Dylan!”

  “What? My hand got caught in a loose string,” he smiled, not so innocently.

  Utterly confused whether I need to jump him or run away because we needed to get to town. I realized that Levi was standing at the end of the hall, flushed and staring. “Levi!”

  “Shit,” Dylan muttered, turning to look at him. “Shouldn’t you be sleeping that off?”

  “Um, yeah. Nice ass, Grace,” he said, slipping back down the hallway.

  “Rearden, I’m going to kick yours, if you don’t get moving,” Dylan threatened. There was no intent behind it. I thought. Maybe. “Sorry.”

  “Levi has seen my butt before, but I’ll let you come in here and apologize properly if you want to,” I offered. Stepping toward me quickly, I stumbled back from him. He caught me and slammed the door at the same time.

  “We don’t have time for this,” he grumbled, as his hands found their way back under the dress.

  “I know, and you will wrinkle my dress,” I said, as I unbuttoned his shirt.

  “They will be waiting on us,” he mentioned.

  I didn’t care who he meant as I pulled the dress off over my head. I laid it carefully over a chair. Holding back no longer, he pressed me against the wall. Campaigning could wait for a few minutes.

  Seventeen minutes to be exact. We were both so wound up that it didn’t take long. He helped me back in the dress, but picked out a less than sensible pair of panties to wear underneath. They were red and lacy. I indulged him, because as far as quickies go, that was fucking hot. He put on black slacks with a white button up shirt. Helping him with the buttons, he brushed my hair back behind my ear.

  “Sex hair?” I asked, because I hadn’t brushed it yet.

  “You are beautiful,” he said. “Strong, sexy and beautiful.”

  I blushed, because of the intensity of his stare. The hardness of his voice revealed the deepest feelings. “Thank you. I needed that,” I said.

  “Why?”

  “Because this election just doesn’t feel like me. It feels like a game I’ve been dragged into,” I said.

  “You were great yesterday,” he said.

  “Can I do that all the time? Do I want to?” I asked him.

  “You can’t do it all the time, because I want many repeat performances of mind-blowing sex. You have a daughter that you want to spend time with every day. It will not consume your life, but we both know that you are the one for this job. Even if Stephanie wasn’t here, it’s yours. It’s always been yours, Grace,” he said with a confidence that I couldn’t seem to muster.

  “Who is waiting on us?” I asked.

  “Your supporters,” he replied. “Brush your hair. We need to go.”

  As I stared at myself in the mirror, the brush flowed through my platinum locks smoothing out all the tangled bunches made by Dylan’s hands. His confident gaze stared at me in the mirror. He believed in me. My heart was finally back to the place it needed to be. The place where I knew without a doubt that Dylan was the best man on this earth, and that if he believed in me, then I must have done something to deserve such praise. “Good?” I asked.

  “Perfect,” he said offering his hand. Grabbing it, I laced my fingers with his hoping his support would boost my tenacity. When we walked into the living room, Levi sat on the couch in dress pants and a red polo.

  “What are you doing?” I asked.

  “Going with you guys,” he said.

  “Don’t you need to rest?” I asked, knowing he was tired despite the bravado. Fairies have very little need to stop, slow down or rest between sex. Levi was a changeling, so while I imagined his libido was stronger than a normal male, a fairy would wear him out.

  “I’ll be okay. This is important,” he said, as he grabbed his helmet and jacket.

  We climbed in Dylan’s car, and Levi followed on the Harley. Finally, when I couldn’t stand it any longer, I asked, “Dylan, where are we going?”

  “One final rally before the vote,” he smiled.

  “How did you organize a rally in such a short amount of time?” I asked.

  “I didn’t. I started arranging it last night,” he admitted. My jaw dropped. The light in his eyes flickered, “In fact, had we left the first time you came out of the bedroom in that dress, we would have been about seventeen minutes early.”

  “Liar!” I accused him.

  “Complete truth for you, my Queen,” he said.

  “Seventeen minutes to be exact,” I scoffed.

  “You remember when you used to torture me with an allotted time for making out and fondling?” I gulped. “Well, I became really good at counting and doing other things at the same time. I’d say I’ve mastered it now. What do you think?”

  “Yes, I’d say so. I’m a great motivator,” I laughed.

  “You would turn this around on me!” he laughed too.

  “Of course, I have to win, Dylan. One day you will learn. I guess I’ll have to continue your education,” I replied.

  “I look forward to it,” he said as we pulled up to a massive gathering at the gazebo in the town square. It was adorned with red, white and blue bunting. People walked around the square talking and laughing. There were balloons tied to light posts. “Wait right there.” He exited the car, circling around to help me out. As he lowered his hand for me to grasp it, I took a deep breath. My hand shook as I reached out for his steady one.

  “Dylan,” I hesitated.

  “You’ve got this. Come on,” he said confidently. Laying my cool hand into his warm one, I rose out of the car with, well, all the grace I could muster. As we approached the crowd, I was more nervous than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.

  The people cheered and clapped as we approached the main gazebo. Shaking hands as I went, I looked into the faces of the people of Shady Grove that I loved. Jeremiah was first, waiting on the edge in his full Sanhedrin robe. He bowed slightly, kissing my hand instead of shaking it.

  “My Queen,” he said.

  “You, old coot,” I laughed. A smile twinkled in his eye as we continued to walk.

  Next in line, Remington Blake stood by Niles Babineau. The both bowed slightly.

  “Grace, you look lovely. Good afternoon, Dylan,” he greeted us both.

  “Thank you for coming,” I said.

  “Wouldn’t miss it for the world, honey,” he said.

  Lamar and his Yule Lad brothers waited to speak to me. I talked to all of them. Phillip didn’t speak as he and Brad, the BBQ King, were chowing down on sausages. Lamar proudly showed me the crown he’d added to his peg leg in support of my campaign. I kissed him on the forehead. He cheeks turned twenty different shades of pink.

  Cletus and Tater stood among the fairy folk which threw me off guard. “We wouldn’t miss a party for nothing!” Tater exclaimed.

  “Grace, whatever this queen business is, we want everyone to know that we support you,” Cletus added.

  “You are too kind,” I smiled at their crazy, oblivious gesture.

  Matthew Rayburn stood alone. Kadence was missing. I didn’t expect her to support me, but I winced at Matthew’s expression knowing that I noted her absence. “I couldn’t convince her,” he said.

  “Matthew, it’s nothing. Kady has always been headstrong. She has to figure things out on her own. You have done such a good job raising a beautiful daughter. She actually reminds me a little of myself,” I said. “And it doesn’t matter what happens to me, there is a part inside of me that will always love my Daddy.” I might have laid it on a little thick because I wasn’t sure I actually loved my father. However, since the true world of Shady Grove had opened up to me, he had been supportive and caring.

  “Thank you, Grace,” he smiled.

  Dylan and I exchanged pleasantries with the Mayor
and his daughter Ella. We also spoke to Troy and Amanda who showed up in their police uniforms just to prove a point. The others who showed up to support me were Deacon Giles, Caleb Joiner and even Malcolm Taggart.

  “Mal, good to see you,” I said.

  “I should apologize for my bad behavior,” he said.

  “Oh, honey, if I had to apologize for every time I acted out, we’d be here all day,” I joked.

  “That’s very nice of you, Grace. I promise it won’t happen again,” he said.

  “Damn straight it won’t,” Dylan interjected. Malcolm shifted his weight as if he were prepared to run from Dylan who reached out and patted him on the shoulder.

  Behind Malcolm there were many citizens of Shady Grove that I knew in passing like Sylvester Handley and the Santiagos’. There were other cops, firemen, business men and women. I even saw Mrs. Frist standing in the back with her arm around a gorgeous, young fireman. She waggled her fingers at me, and I just laughed. At least she wasn’t still after Levi.

  Dr. Tabitha stood in her lab coat smiling at me. “That was my favorite of the dresses!” she squealed as I got close.

  “It’s my favorite, too,” Dylan said. Tabitha’s eyes widened when she saw the blush rush over my cheeks that matched the redness of the dress.

  “Oh, I see,” she said. “Good luck.”

  “Thanks,” I said gathering myself.

  Betty and Luther stood with Mable and Nestor. We all shared hugs. Nestor hugged me last, whispering in my ear. “I know he isn’t here, but your father is proud of you. I am so proud of you.” I felt the tears building up in the edges of my eyes. “Don’t cry. You’ve got a speech to make.”

  “Speech?” I said.

  “Yep, you can do it,” Dylan said.

  Finally, Levi left the side of Riley Mac Kenzie long enough to wrap me up in one of his bone crushing hugs. “Grace, I don’t know where I’d be in this world without you,” he said.

  “Oh, don’t go all mushy on me,” I teased him.

  “I know you never want to say it out loud, but I’m going to,” he said.

  “Say what?” I asked.

  “I know the connection between us is because I’m your servant,” he said.

  “Levi, you are not my servant,” I interjected.

  “Yes, I am, and I want to be,” he looked back at Riley who nodded. “I understand this world better now, because of what you taught me. No matter what happens in the future. I will always stand by you.”

  Damn allergies struck me in the eyes as tears rolled down my cheeks. I felt the grip of Dylan’s hand flex, releasing mine. Slinging my arms around Levi’s neck, I felt the tingle from the top of my head to the tips of toes, and everywhere in between. “I don’t know what I’d do without you,” I said.

  “You were fine without me for hundreds of years,” he laughed at my assertion.

  “I couldn’t do it now,” I said.

  “Quit crying,” Levi said suddenly becoming uncomfortable. I brushed away my tears as I reached for Dylan’s hand again. I dared to look in his eyes to see if there was jealousy there. I saw none. Levi retreated to Riley’s side. She laced her arm through his. The power of her touch on him rippled through our bond, and my eyes widened at the raw intensity of it. I had no idea how he survived her, but he had. Not only that, she was back for more. Well done, Bard.

  Dylan saddled up next to me as all the eyes in the square turned to me. “Grace, you are the strongest woman I’ve ever known. Step up there and knock ‘em dead. Not for real, but you know what I mean.”

  I heaved a laugh out at his assertion. It wasn’t entirely inaccurate. Thinking back to the days of my Father’s court, I realized for every exile standing before me, there were a dozen that didn’t get the reprieve to live. Father told me once that killing those who disobeyed him was part of his job as King. He had to keep the peace between the courts, sacrificing his own miscreants when necessary. He assured me that the Seelie did the same to their wayward lot. Clearly the Queen of the Seelie fairies missed an opportunity to put Stephanie down.

  “Good Afternoon. I’m so overwhelmed that all of you are here to support my run for Queen. I stepped into the role thinking that I wouldn’t be challenged, but over the last week, I’ve realized that my challenge hasn’t been Stephanie Davis. It’s been myself. Remembering all the days I sat in my trailer, I minded my own business, friendly enough to all of you. But I never put myself out there for anyone, except maybe Winnie. The world suddenly altered my reality. A changeling was dumped at my door for which I am eternally grateful,” I said, nodding to Jeremiah. “Things happened that forced me to open my eyes and see what was really here in this town. Even before accepting my role here, I began to see that Shady Grove was all about friends, family, good food, and a place to relax. A place to call home.”

  I locked eyes with Betty, Luther, Nestor and Mable as I spoke. Their smiles knew my indications were about them. “Whether I’d admit it in public or not, I had an unhealthy infatuation with the sheriff in this town.” The crowd laughed when I paused. Dylan stepped up beside me. “Who showed me after all these years of roaming the world, that love is real. It’s tough and glorious all at the same time.” He squeezed my hand.

  “This job is harder than I expected. My father used to tell me that being in charge wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Not in those words of course. I assure you it was much more formal, but still he was right. To be honest, I don’t know how good I’ll be at it. I may fall flat on my face, but if I do, I’ll do it while giving you, the people of Shady Grove, everything I have to give.”

  The crowd cheered and clapped. I waited for it to die down. “I am humbled and honored that you would choose me as your Queen,” I managed to choke out, as Dylan kissed me on the temple.

  They clapped and cheered again. Dylan put his hand up to draw attention. Much like my gesture on the first day of this debacle, they silenced, waiting for him to speak. “All of you are invited to my home tomorrow evening for a victory party. There will be food, beverages and fireworks!”

  “What?” I mouthed. He winked at me. I loved that man.

  My supporters ecstatically patted each other on the backs. The roar grew as we stepped off the gazebo to join their excitement. Betty started introducing me to people that I’d never met before who were supporting me. Each name I tucked in the back of my head. I would remember them all. Father said he knew the names of each of his servants and peers. It seemed as though all I needed was a name with the face, then they were engrained in my mind as the people I’d sworn to protect.

  We circled the crowd greeting everyone. Dylan ate sausages with Brad and Phillip while I talked about potential council members with Tabitha and Mrs. Frist.

  “Grace, I must say, I never expected you to turn out so well. Oberon must be very proud,” she said.

  “You know my father?” I asked.

  “Know is a relative term, child. Yes, I knew him once or twice,” she smiled.

  “Information I didn’t need to know,” I smirked. Tabitha and Mrs. Frist laughed. “Wait, is that why you got kicked out?”

  A smile crossed her lips. “Maybe,” she laughed. “Doesn’t matter now, does it? You said we are all the same.”

  “I did say that, but I say a lot of things I end up regretting,” I laughed.

  “We all do, honey,” she said. “Let me go find someone to entertain me. I see the lovely Miss Riley has latched herself on to your bard. Pity. I would have loved to educate that one.”

  “Me too,” said Tabitha.

  “What?” I said, surprised at her admission.

  “Awe, come on, Grace. I may be a respectable doctor, but I’m not blind. Levi is hot.”

  I shook my head. She was right. He was damn good looking. I hadn’t realized the fairy women of the town were all gunning for him. His education might just be starting. I laughed at the possibilities. Poor Levi had no idea.

  “What’s so funny?” Dylan asked, returning to me.

&
nbsp; Ducking away, Tabitha said, “I’ll catch you later.”

  “She and Mrs. Frist just were lamenting the loss of being able to educate Levi,” I said.

  Dylan laughed. “You didn’t know that half the women in this town wanted him?” I shook my head in denial. “So oblivious, Grace. It’s almost endearing if it didn’t scare the crap out of me.”

  “Scare you? Why?” I asked.

  “Because, you need to be more aware of what’s going on around you. As much as I’d like to stick to you like glue, you’ve got to be able to recognize danger. There are some very dangerous people in this town.”

  “Am I one of those dangerous people, Dylan Riggs?”

  The crowd silenced as we all turned to face Stephanie Davis standing on the gazebo flanked by Kyffin Merrick and Sergio Krykos.

  “You know, I’m pretty sure you weren’t invited to this party,” I smirked at her. Today, she would get the full Grace. No holding back. I would be me even if it killed me. I should have said, “Here Dylan, hold my beer.”

  “It is the town square. Soon to be my town,” she grinned, waving her arm about like she was Vanna White. The men stood behind her in the shadows. Kyffin’s stout frame jiggled with laughter at her snide remarks. Krykos’ eyes bore holes in me, but he did not react to Stephanie as she spoke. In fact, he never once glanced at her. Something in his ardent gaze felt off.

  “What is he?” I asked Dylan quietly.

  “Sergio? A dick?” he shrugged.

  “No, what kind of fairy,” I pressed, looking back at Krykos, his eyes brightened. He watched me intently.

  “Why is he looking at you like that?” Dylan asked. I could see a hint of jealousy at the way Krykos leered at me.

  I grabbed the front of his shirt with my fist. “Look at me! Dylan, what is he?”

  “I’m not sure,” he said, shaking off the anger. “I’ve never asked.”

  A cold darkness settled inside of me. Gloriana’s power flared as a portal from the Otherworld flashed open in my head. Someone was feeding me power from the other side. It had to be my father, of course, but why did I need it?