Page 58 of Bianca and the Monsters

“We are—Iam.”

I stand a little taller as my father joins us on the ground, takes one look at the gaping crowd, and mutters, “You guys are like thoseCassidyiens, aren’t you?”

I groan at his charming celebrity cluelessness. “Something like that.”

“Knights,” Remy commands and his soldiers form two parallel lines leading toward the entrance to the huge medieval inn and tavern.

Archie bows to me and then leads the way, while Pennie walks beside my father directly behind Bastien and me. Strolling up the aisle between the queen’s knights standing at attention inspires some smugness on my part. Being seen, loved, and celebrated doesn’t suck, that’s for sure.

I suddenly wonder whether we’d need to bar the portals if word got out that human women, just by crossing the border and leaving their mundane lives behind, could become rock stars, debutantes, adventurers, princesses even. It’s not for everyone, but I can think of one person who might leap at the chance to live a very different life on this side of the portal. Pennie’s pool would do wonders for her, if nothing else.

The large, rounded wooden doors open before Archie reaches them. Two horned monsters wearing half aprons bow deeply to him, their horns curling on the sides of their heads like a ram, with smaller pointed ones coming out of their foreheads.

“Lord Clumberton, you honor us,” the older, paler monster says before his gaze lands on Bastien and me, his mouth falling open and revealing sharp, hot pink teeth that totally clash with his leathery, red skin. “My Lord, have you found yourLady?”

Archie glances back at me, pride and peace shining in his eyes, warming my already overflowingly happy heart. “With absolute gratitude, I am pleased to say that yes, we have found our Lady—theLady Bianca from the Other World.”

I hearLady Biancareverently whispered throughout the crowd.

“And the Taran… he’s hers?” the innkeeper asks, his shock unconcealed.

“Yes, he absolutely is,” I answer in a tone that leaves no doubt. “Hisname is Sebastien Theodore and he’s all mine.”

Bastien grins so widely I can’t help but smile right along with him. He’s standing taller too, as well he should. We’re an impressive power couple, no reason to be unnecessarily humble.

The crowd whispers Bastien’s name along with mine.

“Draken,” Archie says to refocus the innkeeper.

“Yes, my Lord. Your accommodations are ready and lunch is being prepared. Right this way.”

I catch my father’s amused expression at my sudden elevation to celebrity status.

“Thefatherof the debutante isn’t celebrated here?Whatever.” He turns to Pennie. “What if I curtsy or something? Juggle maybe?”

Pennie stifles a laugh. “Sir, I fear there’s nothing you can do to raise your status to that of your daughter, but as her nearest relation, you will be amply fawned over.”

“I guess that will have to do.”

While he continues to humorously grouse behind me, my eyes take in everything as we descend several steps into the moodily lit tavern. Hanging candles are responsible for the warm glow, illuminating the four long wood tables that fill the space.

“Is there no electricity here?” I whisper to Bastien. “I thought there were lights in the castle and you called me on the phone, which means the phone was charged.”

Bastien tilts his head toward Pennie. “We have certain advantages that not many do. Let’s just say, Tarans may be rare, but so are Pendragons. But it’s best not to discuss that here.”

I nod, intrigued by all I don’t know about the realm that’s now my permanent address. Though not a deal-breaker, I’m thrilled about the electricity. Bastien clearly watches movies or he wouldn’t have known about my favorite actor, so that’s a perk. I hope there’s music too.

But for now, I’m going to enjoy the candlelight and this moment that feels like I’ve wandered back into the days of King Arthur, or at least the monster version, which is way cooler.

Only a few monsters are seated at the other tables, all of them frozen in place as we enter. I’m grateful that none of them look like my monsters. With a shudder, I realize how much I don’t want to see any furry blue/black monsters who aren’t my Nico. Thankfully, there are no otherNicos, or evenPenniesorArchies.

“Oh,” I mutter as a feeling seizes hold of me, followed by a dizziness that causes me to grip Bastien’s arm.

“What is it?” Bastien asks, his words only for me.

“I don’t know.” I consider my body, the flush of heat spiraling through me, a thumping down low, the way I want to thrust my breasts against Bastien’s feathered form, possibly even gyrate against him to ease the sudden pressure that came out of nowhere.

This isn’t a normal brand of arousal. This isn’tHey, look at that hot guy over there, wouldn’t it be awesome to mount him? No, this is something different, something primal.

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