Page 41 of Made

“You’re late.” He smiled good-naturedly. “The king and queen are already here.”

I wondered if we’d violated some sort of royal protocol by coming after the royal couple. If so, I hoped it would be overlooked. Special rules for family.

Evie had taken my suggestion and was wearing a red gown with vertical beading. Nothing could make her look svelte while at the end of pregnancy, but the other side of that coin was that nothing could keep her from being stunning. She just was. When she glanced in our direction, I caught her eye. Her smile told me she knew she looked both gorgeous and regal.

Judging by the volume of combined laughter, the party held the promise of being the best ever. Perhaps that was helped along with the giant crystal punch bowl filled with Mai Tai. I supposed John David had chosen Mai Tai as the signature drink because of its festive color and not because a tropical cocktail was in any other way related to Winter Solstice. To the point of festive color, someone had added the appealing touch of floating lime slices on top.

When I turned that direction, Keir immediately grabbed my elbow and shook his head so slightly that only I saw it. He was trying to save my dignity. He’d once been witness to what happens when I get started with Mai Tais. I allowed myself a backward glance and a brief, wistful sigh before asking the closest waitstaff for a glass of buttery chardonnay sans oak. Keir was right. I wasn’t there to morph into Wasted Rita.

I said hello to a handful of neighbors as I made my way to where Evie had been trapped by Maggie. Maggie was a legendary creature of magical Eire, but now she was one of Evie’s subjects. Life is strange.

I kissed my girl on the cheek.

“You look outstanding, Mom.”

“Say it again. I can’t hear that enough.” When she opened her mouth to repeat it, I said, “Just kidding. I see you took my advice. The gods made this color for you.”

“I get tired of saying, ‘You were right’, you know.”

I chuckled and looked at the king. “Diarmuid. You seem to be taking good care of Evangeline.”

He looked at her adoringly, which is what I love to see. “’Tis my number one priority,” he said.

“Glad to hear it. Are you prepared for priority expansion?”

He looked confused.

Evie said, “She means the baby.”

“Ah!” He laughed. “Save your worries, Magistrate. I have room in my heart for two lasses.”

I smiled. “I don’t doubt you.”

A spoon was being struck lightly, but repeatedly against a crystal glass, creating a clear bell sound that instantly brought the gathering to attention. Everyone turned to face our host.

“Welcome all and Happy Solstice,” said the vampire with a wide smile that showed off his pointy canines. He could be saying, “Welcome to your nightmare”, but the undeniable charm of our host made people feel at ease. “We’ll begin the evening with dinner in the Ambassador Room across the corridor, then adjourn to the ballroom upstairs for dancing. But first, let us toast the king and queen for doing us the honor of attending.” He held his glass aloft. “To the very handsome royal couple and their family in progress. May their lives be long and merry.”

No creature of good heart could object to a toast so chock-full of goodness. My friends and neighbors said various versions of “to life, long and merry” and drank to my precious daughter. A little over a year ago, I’d sat in a tawdry motel room, not knowing what would become of me. Now, my Evie was queen of Irish fae, about to bring a quasi-immortal daughter into the world. I felt myself tearing up.

Keir leaned close and whispered, “Don’t cry, my love. Your makeup is party perfect, and you don’t want to do an impression of Tammy Faye.”

I instantly forgot about the toast as my head jerked toward my husband. “You never cease to amaze. I’m surprised you know who Tammy Faye is.”

With a scoff, he said, “Even die-hard sports enthusiasts know who Tammy Faye is. Her name is shorthand for runny makeup.”

“Yeah,” I said. “And fraud.”

Just then, Esme and Kagan approached. Both seemed remarkably changed. Kagan, because he was not wearing a scowl. Without his sour expression, I’d have to be careful not to mistake him for Keir. Especially since both wore traditional black tie. Thankfully, Esme had outfitted Kagan with a handsome tartan cummerbund I guessed was Black Watch.

As to Esmerelda, I’d never before seen her dressed in something other than a dark color. Tonight, she wore a V-neck emerald-green dress that fell around her perfect figure like liquid, and also made her emerald-green eyes arresting. I found myself not knowing whether to stare at her eyes, which were magnetic, or the vampy shade of red lipstick, which was consummately seductive.

She was not supposed to outglam me. How dare she? It was against the rules. Had I forgotten to mention that?

Keir was smiling like a proud matchmaker. And I supposed he was entitled to that.

When I’d finally learned what happened to get the two back together, I had to begrudgingly admit that my spouse was partly responsible. Shockingly, he’d given Kagan excellent advice, custom-designed.

Not only did they look good enough together to turn heads. They also looked happy. Given the surly personalities we’d all come to know, that was noteworthy.

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