Page 74 of Dark Fae's Desires
I smile back and bow my head so that he can remove my Princess crown and replace it with the Queenly one, made just for me it seems.
“I’m so proud of you,” Gramps whispers, lifting my chin and giving me a kiss on my forehead.
“I love you,” I whisper back. “I will serve this Realm well.”
“I know you will, girl.” He sniffs, making my eyes go wide.
He gives me that trademark fierce glare back that makes you wish you’d never been born, but it makes me smile.
Then he adjusts his features to a more neutral one so as not to scare the masses and takes my hand, turning me to face the crowd.
“Your Queen,” he announces, and the Great Hall goes wild, their obvious approval at finally getting a Dark Fae Princess onto the throne.
Next step: marry a Light Fae and produce an heir.
Check…
I look over at Trey in the front row. He gives me a thumbs up that makes me laugh. Theo is beaming proudly next to him and Rook looks nervous to be front and center, but I see him push it aside to place his hand over his heart and bow to me.
I can’t help the happy tears that well up in my eyes, but I brush them aside and as the crowd quietens down, I lick my lips.
“I am proud to be your Queen,” I say loudly so everyone can hear me. “I will serve you well.” So, it’s kind of what I said to Gramps, but it works as the applause is deafening.
“Perfect,” Gramps mutters and then with an over the top bow, he says, “My Queen.”
“Stop it,” I murmur, feeling ridiculous all of a sudden.
He laughs and leaps off the stage, leaving me to make my way down the steps more gracefully, with Jerrick holding onto my elbow.
“My Queen,” he murmurs. “I hope you aren’t wearing panties under that gown. It will ruin my fantasy if you are.”
I giggle. “Well, I wouldn’t want to do that,” I whisperback. “Check in with me later and you can find out for yourself… I know a deserted hallway…”
He groans and shifts himself to my other side, taking my hand and pressing it quickly against his bulge in his pants before he drops it and moves away from me.
Trey takes over as my official fiancé and leads me into the Dining Hall for the after-ceremony feast, with a confusing muttered statement.
“You have our blessing.”
Sometime later, maybe a couple of hours – it’s hard to tell, I grow weary of smiling, accepting congratulations and oaths of allegiance. It’s all very flattering that they’ve accepted me so readily, but I need a break from it. I’m hot and a bit sweaty under my armpits. Giving myself a sneaky sniff to see if I stink, luckily my deodorant is doing its job well enough. My men are all enjoying the feast, so it’s the perfect time to slip away.
“Excuse me,” I say to Gramps quietly. “I need a minute.”
He turns to me with a jovial laugh, clearly enjoying the ale that is flowing freely. He nods and then turns back to his drinking buddy.
Standing up, I slip out, half hoping that I find Jerrick. Last I saw of him, he was exiting the Dining Hall and I haven’t seen him since. Probably doing a sweep of the grounds. It’s the perfect time for an attack from the Light Fae.
I’m not worried though.
I know the army,myarmy, will protect these grounds and I’m more than capable of protecting myself and mymen with my wand. Also, secretly, I know that Rath’Na could probably do some damage with his god-staff if push came to absolute shove.
As I Puffport into my bedroom and breathe a sigh of relief, I can’t help but wonder what the staff and the wand could do if fully united. I’m betting they’d be pretty unstoppable. Buthowdo I get the full power of the goddess?
I turn as I hear a knock at the door and know instantly who it is. With a frown, I go to open it and see Rath’Na leaning casually against the door frame. How did I know it was him?
He straightens up when I give him a curious stare. “May I come in?” he asks.
“Of course,” I say and step back, way back to give him room to pass without getting too close to me. I can suddenly feel oceans of emotions coming from him and it makes my mouth go dry.
