The Bridesmaid Earns Her Wings

by Heather Horrocks

  Just as he stood to leave, his father came in and closed the door behind him. “Michael, I know it’s short notice, but I need you to go to a meeting across town right now. Cover for me — your mother made plans for us to take your sister to lunch for her birthday.”

  He’d completely forgotten that today was Julia’s birthday. He’d call her later, but right now, he had a lunch date with his lifemate.

  He wasn’t stopping now — he had a pixie to romance. Heading toward the door, he told his father, “Sorry, Dad. It’s nearly lunchtime. There’s something I need to do. Have Isaac go.”

  Isaac shook his head. “Sorry, bro. I have my own meeting in five minutes.”

  Michael paused and looked at his father. “Then send Ben.”

  Crossing his arms, his father assumed his Alpha stance. “He’s driving to the Four Corners area to meet with a client. You’re the only one free right now.”

  Michael gave it one more shot, though he felt his lunch date slipping through his fingers. “I’m not free. I was going to have lunch with—”

  His father interrupted him with a stern shake of his head. “No. I need you to handle this.”

  Isaac smirked, “Michael can’t handle anything right now; his head is full of pixie dust. Maybe you should just fire the princess, Dad. If she’s out of the office, he won’t feel her anymore.”

  Glaring at his brother, he turned around and stood his ground. “Don’t you dare. You can’t fire her,” Michael warned.

  His father paused for a few seconds, considering the suggestion. “As much as I hate to admit it, Michael’s right. We can’t risk offending the king. She has to stay until she’s ready to go.” He pointed at Michael. “Still, you will go the meeting. If I’d been thinking earlier, I’d have sent you to Four Corners instead of Ben.”

  Michael stood, more reluctant than he’d ever been in his life, or unlife. But there was no way out. He raked his fingers through his hair and expelled a put-upon sigh. “All right. Duty calls, I guess.”

  “It sure does.” His father clapped a hand on his shoulder.

  As he left the room, Michael checked the time again, wondering if he could hurry the meeting along so that he could still make it back for a late lunch.

  Probably not, but he’d do his best to hurry things along. If he was too late to catch her before she left the office, he’d see if he could find her in town or at the hotel.

  Dixie’s phone chimed with an incoming text. Her heart fluttered when she saw that it was from Michael: Sorry. Got called out of the office to an unexpected meeting. I won’t be able to go to lunch with you. Later?

  She was disappointed, but she should probably spend more time with Stacy, anyway. She replied, No problem. Shoot me a text when you’re done. Next, she texted her friend, who agreed to meet her at Cakes & Scream, a sandwich and ice cream store with — naturally — a monster theme.

  When she arrived ten minutes later, Stacy was already waiting in line at the counter. She glanced around the shop as she headed over to meet her. At first glance, the place looked like a cute bistro with wrought-iron tables and chairs, red-and-white tile, and a garden scene mural on one wall. Upon closer inspection, Dixie began to pick out subtle details in the whimsical painting. Little fairies flitted among the flowers and a garden gnome with a decidedly naughty look peered out from under a frond. A spider waited patiently in a web.

  She pointed them out to Stacy, who laughed.

  As they reached the front of the line, Dixie said, “I’m going to let you order for me.”

  “Okay. But why?”

  Glancing around, she whispered, “Because I’ll feel weird with all these people around if they give me our meals for free.”

  “Okay, but that means you have to come up with some actual cash, sistah.”

  Dixie handed a twenty to her friend. “Lunch is on me. I’ll take the special.” She tipped her head toward the poster with a picture of the featured Toadstool Burger topped with sautéed mushrooms.

  A picture of a huge bowl of ice cream topped with different sauces, whipped cream, and plump cherries caught her eye. “Wanna split a Big Scream sundae? Or the Monster Movie Scream sundae?”

  Stacy beamed. “The Big Scream. I don’t think we can finish five huge scoops of ice cream.”

  Dixie found a table and waited for her friend, who carried over a full tray of food a few minutes later. The burgers, oozing with mushrooms and accompanied by a mountain of seasoned fries, looked even better in real life than they did in the picture.

  Dixie sat and bit into her burger, moaning as the flavors of the mushrooms and cheese mingled with the burger and homemade bun. “Mmmm. This is amazing.”

  Stacy replied around a mouthful of her own burger. “No kidding! I didn’t realize I was so hungry until right this minute.”

  Dixie nodded, digging in for a second bite.

  After scarfing down half of their burgers and fries, they both slowed a bit. Dixie asked, “How is work today?”

  “Great. I made two hundred dollars in tips this morning!”

  Dixie mouth dropped open. “What? No way!”

  “A group of five faux vampires came in and kept me hopping — but they each gave me twenty dollars, plus I had several tables of tourists.”

  “Wow.”

  Stacy’s eyes glittered with excitement. “I know, right? I think some of your lucky streak has rubbed off on me. And I’m not complaining.” Stacy grinned. “And how about you? Will you be working this afternoon — or kissing your way through another movie with your hunk of a boss?”

  Dixie shook her head dejectedly. “He got called out of the office and I’m not sure when he’ll be back. He texted that he wants to meet up later.”

  “Oh, darn. You both have to actually work today before you can play kissy face.” Stacy stuck out her bottom lip and pulled a fake pouty face.

  Dixie laughed. “Yeah, it’s a real hardship, but I guess I’ll survive.”

  As they finished their sandwiches, a waitress carried over their Big Scream sundae.

  Three large scoops of vanilla ice cream were buried under chocolate syrup, caramel, pineapple, fresh strawberries, and a mound of whipped cream. Maraschino cherries were perched atop each scoop, and the entire sundae was nestled inside a set of fake vampire’s fangs made of what looked like candy.

  “Wow.” Stacy sat back and admired the giant confection. “Maybe the screaming part is from our bellies when we try to eat the whole thing. This is huge!”

  The waitress smiled. “And this one isn’t the biggest one. If you finish the five-scooper, we put your picture up on the wall.” She nodded toward a collage of smiling faces, some smudged with different sauces.

  “Somehow I don’t think that’s going to happen today.” Dixie picked up the spoon and took a bite. The chocolate syrup was decadent and the flavor melded perfectly with the strawberries. “Or maybe it will.”

  They didn’t finish more than one scoop each before conceding defeat.

  As they walked out, Dixie rubbed her stomach and looked at Stacy. “Will you carry me back to work? I ate too much.”

  Stacy huffed. “Are you kidding? I need to be rolled out of here, myself.’

  A man in a suit approached them, holding what appeared to be a birdhouse. He held it out and said to Dixie, “I have a wonderful product I’d like to share with you, since I know your family loves flowers and birds. It’s a bird feeder that you attach to your window. You can watch the birds flit in and enjoy observing them up close. And the deluxe model comes with a small butterfly arrangement on either end. Of course, for you, it’s absolutely free; I’d be honored to say that you have my product.”

  This certainly wasn’t the first thing they’d been offered for free, but Dixie didn’t like the way the guy was invading their space. He was practically shoving the contraption in her face.

  It actually looked like a good idea — it would be cool to watch birds that close up — but Dixie didn’t feel comfortable with him in he
r bubble. She took a step back. “It’s very kind of you but, no. Thank you anyway.”

  “Please. My job could depend on it.” The man shoved the contraption at her again, looking desperate. “Please, just see if you like it. And, if you do, just pass on the word to your father, along with my business card. I’m sure he’ll love this product if he just gets the chance to see it.”

  Dixie shook her head. Why did everybody keep babbling about her father like they knew her. “I don’t have a father.”

  The man’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What?”

  Stacy stepped in front of me, causing the man to take a step back, “Get away from us, please.”

  “Come on. It’s just a little favor.” He tried to step around Stacy, holding out the feeder to Dixie again.

  Dixie exchanged glances with Stacy, and they stepped around the guy and started walking.

  He circled around them and stopped them again.

  “Seriously, dude,” Dixie placed her hands on her hips. “I don’t want it, and you’re starting to get on my nerves.”

  Just then, an arm reached out and grabbed the guy by his collar, tossing him into a bush.

  A deep voice growled, “The lady said no.”

  Dixie turned to find Michael there, glaring at the man as he tried to extricate himself from the hedge.

  Oh, wow. She smiled despite the situation. She really shouldn’t think that was so awesome, but she did.

  Michael had driven Dixie back to the office, still angry with the guy who’d practically attacked her. He planned to stick closer to her from now on. He invited her to that evening’s July Fourth Monster Fireworks show and was pleased when she accepted.

  That evening, he picked her and Stacy up at the Wildwood Hotel. They were dressed in jeans, patriotic T-shirts, and sandals, and it looked like Dixie had taken extra care with her makeup and hair.

  Stacy’s date — another of his cousins — actually looked like he was enjoying talking with her and Stacy was smiling, so Michael felt like he’d succeeded. Now Dixie wouldn’t worry about her friend and she could enjoy spending time with him. Jordan was a good guy; he’d keep Stacy entertained.

  They passed Shark Beach and parked by the family side of the lake. In between them, they carried a couple of blankets and a picnic basket — prepared by Kevin — and found a perfect spot on a slight rise. They spread the blanket and enjoyed the food while waiting for the fireworks to start.

  It slowly grew darker as the four of them talked and laughed.

  When the fireworks were about to start, Michael got antsy. He was enjoying himself, but he wanted to spend some time alone with Dixie. “Want to take a little walk?” he asked her.

  Dixie didn’t hesitate. “That sounds great!” As he reached for her hand, he couldn’t help but smile at the blush on her cheeks as she let him pull her up.

  Before Stacy and Jordan could join them, he said, “We’ll be back soon.”

  He squeezed her hand, and she squeezed back. Warmth flooded through him. The feeling seemed to grow stronger each time he touched her, each time he was around her. He didn’t understand it because he’d never heard that the feeling could grow stronger with time — love, yes; the lifemate connection, no — but he wasn’t going to argue.

  He led her away from the crowd to a secluded spot farther from the beach.

  Music started, and then the fireworks, which pulsed and flared with music from artists like Tim McGraw and Lee Greenwood.

  They swayed to the music, her back pressed to him, his arms around her, as they watched the magic bursting in the sky. The fireworks were always managed by the witches of Moonchuckle Bay, who excelled at that showy type of magic. The shows were never a disappointment.

  After the grand finale, the music died down until it was just background noise and the fireworks slowly faded from the sky. She sighed and turned in his arms, raising her arms around his neck.

  He kissed her lips, her eyelids, her cheek, her ... neck. Her pulse point called to him, beating fast and strong, and the overwhelming feeling of the lifemate bond drew him in.

  He ran his lips along her neck, his fangs snicked down — and he slid his fangs into her neck to claim her.

  Shocked, Dixie pushed him away. “What did you just do? Did you seriously just bite me?”

  Looking at her in confusion, he began to doubt his actions. “That’s what we do when we meet our lifemate. I thought you knew that.”

  He reached for her hand, but she pulled back. “What do you mean we? I haven’t bitten anyone, and don’t plan to, even if they turn out to be my lifemate.”

  He dropped his hands to his sides and said, “No, but you’re not a vampire.”

  Her eyes widened. What happened to that sane, adorable man she’d known only a few minutes ago? “Nobody’s a vampire. Is this some sort of sick game?”

  Flustered, he took a step back. “Did the king never tell you about vampires? I find that hard to believe.”

  Now it was Dixie’s turn to look bewildered. What was going on? “Do you mean Elvis? What are you talking about?”

  Sighing, he shook his head. “No, of course not. Not that king.”

  Dixie crossed her arms in a defensive manner and said suspiciously, “You’re creeping me out, Michael.”

  She ran her fingers across the spot where he’d bitten her. It didn’t hurt, really. It hadn’t even hurt when he’d bitten her. It’d been more ... pleasurable than anything, which creeped her out even more.

  “Don’t worry. This was just a claiming bite. It won’t turn anyone, especially not someone like you.” Holding his hands out, he tried to soothe her. “You’re definitely my lifemate. Don’t you feel it?”

  She paused and then admitted, “I definitely feel an attraction.”

  He lowered his voice. “Did you mistake me for something else?”

  Suddenly, an unlikely scenario entered his head. “You do know what you are, right?”

  She looked at him, wary. “What are you talking about?”

  He took another step back to give her some space, but remained close enough that she could still hear him whisper. “You’re a fairy and I’m a vampire. You can fly. I can’t. You’re not in Kansas anymore. You never really were, Princess.”

  Unease filled her. “I need to get back to the others.”

  He took her hand. “Please. I’m telling the truth. You’ve seen the truth in the mirror at the office.”

  Even more shocked, she shook her head.

  “You saw my fangs. Your wings and crown.”

  She had seen them, but ... “Those are just special effects. From the studio mirror.”

  He shook his head. “No. It’s how we can tell if people are being truthful with us about who they really are.”

  She started to second-guess herself, even though his story was completely outrageous. Was she crazy, or was he? Or was he telling the truth and opening her eyes to something she’d never known existed? She didn’t know.

  Slowly, she said, “I need some time to get used to this idea. I need to do some serious thinking.”

  He leaned in closer and touched his forehead to hers. “Are you saying you seriously aren’t familiar with the paranormal world?”

  She felt the warmth from their contact, calming her. How could that be, when he’d just bitten her? She should be running away from him like her hair was on fire, but instead, she stayed rooted to the spot. “Other than in novels, yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying.”

  Bowing his head, he replied, “Then I would be honored if you’d let me introduce you to my world.” Though he had no idea how, it was obvious that she had no idea what he was talking about. That explained everything, except for the one day when she’d shunned him.

  She stood forehead to forehead with him, absorbing his warmth and calm. “All right. Just give me a day or two first.”

  He pulled her in for a hug.

  “And don’t bite me again.”

  “All right. Not until you’re ready.”r />
  She was surprised to find she wasn’t put off by that comment; she must be losing her mind, too.

  Kissing the top of her head, he pleaded, “And please let me talk to you tomorrow. You will be in tomorrow, right?”

  She nodded. “Yes. I’ll be there.”

  Isaac was waiting for him when he got home. “I didn’t see you sitting with Jordan and Stacy.”

  Michael unlocked the door, and Isaac followed him in. “I went walking with Dixie.”

  “You’re flirting with disaster here, bro. You know that, right?”

  “Maybe, but I know she’s my lifemate.” He’d bitten her. And, though it had surprised her, she had agreed to let him introduce her to the paranormal world. He still didn’t understand how she didn’t know about any of this.

  Isaac rubbed the back of his neck. “What if she’s not? Don’t choose wrong. What if your vampire lifemate comes along later, but it’s too late because you’re already committed to a pixie?”

  Michael stopped and turned to face his brother. “Dixie is my lifemate. I am going to propose to her.”

  “Aww, man.” Isaac groaned.

  Despite his brother’s misgivings, he knew in his heart that Dixie was the one for him. Michael already had a plan.

  Step 1: He was going to introduce her to the paranormal world and try to figure out why she didn’t know about it in the first place.

  Step 2: Freaking kiss her again.

  Step 3: Propose.

  The next morning, it took Dixie forever to get ready for work.

  First, she vacillated between going in and just staying away.

  He’d bitten her. That was scary all by itself. Even spookier, she’d liked it.

  And then all that talk about the paranormal world and vampires and pixies. While he was holding her, he’d made it sound like he was revealing an exciting new world to her, but this morning, in the light of day, it seemed more likely that he was deluded and trying to invite her into his own little version of crazy.