Page 32 of Royally Hacked Belle & Flame
“Just wanted to remind you that I love you before I spend the entire way home reminding you how fucking dangerous it was to come looking for us.”
“Oh please. Without Aurelia, Dessa, and me you would all still be stuck in the basement.”
He growls. “Don’t remind me. I don’t want to think about how she managed to trap all of us so easily and I especially don’t want to think of what could have happened to you.”
I grin. “Then don’t. Let’s just go home. As unbelievable as it is, we still have tons of shit to do before the wedding…assuming it doesn’t get snowed out.”
“Even if it does, we’re still going on our honeymoon,” he grumbles.
I nod fervently. “Of course, I—oh shit!”
Daemon furrows his brow. “What’s wrong?”
“I just remembered I have to tell you something. My mother is here and she’s been dying to meet you. I’d brace yourself, this could be rough.”
He sighs and grabs my hand. “Alright. Come on Peaches, let’s get this over with.”
Afew hours later, Daemon, and I sit on a couch by a roaring fire in the middle of our sitting room. Christmas music emanates from my battery-operated CD player—the only way I can play human music in Ellender—and the scent of freshlybaked cookies wafts in from the kitchen. Around us, the entire room is packed to bursting, and every seat is full.
My mom, who warmed up to Daemon immediately upon realizing that he’s gorgeous and literally a king, is sitting in an armchair to our right and smiling. I haven’t seen her so serene in years and it’s honestly creeping me out.
Nana sits in another armchair beside Mom, chatting with Beatrix while Sushi snoozes on her lap. I don’t know when Sushi found his way back to the manor, but I guess I can’t complain that he was out in the woods after he led us straight to Gwen. I swear that cat is smarter than he should be.
On the other side of the room, Dessa and Kastian are sitting on the floor, grinning as they watch Jett and Connell drag Aurelia around the room, passing her back and forth in something resembling a three-person waltz.
Fox leans against the wall, his arms crossed, also watching the dancing. His expression is completely unreadable, but his light eyes keep flicking to Aurelia, then looking away the moment she turns in his direction.Interesting.
I sigh contentedly and lean back against Daemon’s chest. He reaches up absently and drags his fingers through my hair. “You okay, Peaches?”
I nod. “Great, actually. This would be a perfect evening, except for the storm.”
Daemon glances at the dark window where the snow is still raging on.
Beatrix, clearly overhearing us, raises her voice to be heard over the music. “Don’t worry, Alix, the wedding guests will still make it.”
I sigh. “I appreciate the optimism, but I’m not so sure. We might have to accept that the other courts aren’t going to be able to get here in time.”
“All the fucking better,” Daemon growls. “I keep telling you, we’re bonded. We don’t need to put on a show in front of a thousand strangers.”
I pat his arm affectionately. “I know. Honestly, I’d be happy to get married right this second with only you all here.”
There’s a ringing silence throughout the room where only the slightly scratchy sounds ofWalking in a Winter Wonderlandplay out of the boombox.
“Then why don’t you?” Jett says finally.
“What, get married right now?”
“Ooh yes,” Dessa gushes, sitting up straighter. “You should.”
I laugh. “But we’ve been planning this huge thing for months.”
Beatrix and my nana glance at each other, then at me.
“I think that big ship has sailed, Ali,” Nana says. “All the optimism in the damn world won’t change the weather.”
My heart starts to beat a little faster, excitement and anticipation building in my gut. I crane my neck to look at Daemon. “What do you think?”
He grins at me. “I like it.”
