Page 191 of Taken By the Fae

Dad stands and walks over to me, kissing my cheek. “Your mom and I would like to buy the dress.”

I shake my head. “Thank you, but I can’t let you do that.” My chest tightens. Hell, Idon’t even know how much this dress is. It was so meant for me, I didn’t even look.

He offers me a smile. “That’s too bad, because I gave the clerk my credit card while you were in the dressing room.”

“Dad!” I slap his shoulder. “I don’t want you spending your money.”

“Please let us do this for you,” Mom cuts in, moving to stand beside Dad. She reaches for my hands and squeezes them. “We are so proud of everything you’ve accomplished. Please let us help make your special day everything you want it to be.”

This isn’t a battle I’m going to win.

I sigh. “Okay.”

They pull me into a hug and kiss my cheeks. “We love you so much.”

“I love you, too.”

Back in the dressing room, I reluctantly take the dress off. I’m putting my shirt back on when my phone buzzes. I pull it out and smile, my stomach giving a healthy flutter.

“Hey, you,” I murmur.

“How’s it going with your parents?”

“Good. They’re thrilled for us.” I hold the phone to my ear with my shoulder as I tug my pants back on. “I’ll be home soon.”

“There’s no need to rush.”

I laugh softly. “Want to try that again? I’m not entirely convinced you meant it.”

“I’m a patient man, Aurora.” The deep melodic sound of his voice sends a shiver through me, and I close my eyes as heat gathers between my thighs.

“I miss you,” I murmur.

“I miss you,” he echoes. “Okay, maybe rush a little.”

A grin curls my lips. “I’ll see you soon.”

* * *

I walk into the penthouse, pausing when my eyes land on where Tristan, Nikolai, Skylar, and Allison are sitting around the living room. None of them appear distressed, so I don’t let myself panic about their meeting.

“Nice of you to join us,” Nikolai says with a wry grin.

I flip him off as I approach. “Sorry, I was—” I cut myself off before I slip up and tell them I bought a wedding dress. “What’s going on?” I ask, directing the question at Tristan.

“We’ve been discussing how things are going to work.” Skylar’s voice is commanding. She looks so much better than the last time I saw her, filled with concern for Tristan and a literal murderous rage toward Dr. Collins. Her hair is neatly curled down her back, with perfect makeup like I’m used to seeing it, and her outfit is sleek and sharp. I missed this Skylar. As much as she still kind of intimidates me, she is also admirable as hell. “The Experiment remains a very real and dangerous threat to our people. Since Tristan stepped down, I’ve taken the reins when it comes to meeting with the royals and our contacts around the globe. I spoke to several of them last night who have located facilities they believe to be run by the Experiment.”

“The king and queen have agreed to a ceasefire to focus on putting a stop to them.”

My chest tightens as I nod. I’m not fae anymore, nor was I for very long, but the weight of a truce between the fae courts isn’t lost on me. “What’s the plan?”

“We’re gathering more information,” Skylar explains. “We aren’t going to make a move yet. It’s too risky.”

“We’re just going to sit and wait?”

Tristan shifts closer to me, wrapping his arm around my waist and tucking me against his side. “We fought our fight, Rory. It’s time to let others help, and these things take time.”

I look up at him, my eyes traveling across his face, drinking in the sight of him. Alive. Safe.Human.“Okay,” I whisper.

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