Page 32 of Beauty and Her Beasts (Dirty Paranormal Fairytale Haremlan 1)

Both men nodded.

“Fine.” I nodded toward my extended hand. “Deal.”

Gunnar took my hand and gave it a shake. “We are agreed.”

Declan shook my hand. “May the best man win.”

I smirked. “Good luck.”

Gunnar clapped his hands together. “Great. Now that’s taken care of, who’s hungry?”

“If you don’t mind,” I started, “I still have something I want to discuss with the two of you as well.”

“And that is?” Declan asked.

“I’m listening,” Gunnar said.

“I want to throw a holiday ball for Allana. Invite the neighboring towns. Also, I’ll be moving into the east wing again. So, we need to tend to that.”

“We can’t afford a ball,” Gunnar said.

I glared at him. “Can’t we?”

“Look, you’ve gone through a lot,” Gunnar said, “And no one can blame you for dealing with things in your own way, but we’re on the brink of disaster here. Your absence wasn’t helping matters.”

“I’m here now, aren’t I?” I said. “Looks to me like your little plan worked better than you thought.”

Gunnar stammered. Declan smirked as he leaned against the counter with his arms crossed over his chest. I sighed.

“We will make it work,” I added. “We have to.”

“It’s going to take a lot to get everything done in time,” Declan said. “Are you sure this is the way?”

I nodded. “It needs to be.”

Gunnar sighed. “Fine. What do you need from me?”

“A feast fit for a queen,” I said. “And Declan? You’re in charge of decorations. I’ll get on the roll with invitations and everything else.”

Both men nodded.

“No word of the ball to Allana,” I said. “I want it to be a surprise, and I trust the two of you will honor that wish, seeing as how we all agreed not to interfere with each other when it came to her.”

There was a mix of expressions, but in the end, both agreed.

“Good,” I said. “Gunnar, I need a plate of meat, cheese, and juice brought to my room in the east wing.”

“Yes, sir,” he said. He turned around and started digging through cabinets and drawers.

Declan removed himself from the counter and said, “I’m going to get started on my part.”

I nodded and turned for the door. By the time I made it back to the room, I was full of hope. Hope that I haven't felt in a very long time. And it was all thanks to Allana. My only doubts were her choosing me. And I had to find a way to make me her only choice.

13

ALLANA

I had never been more confused in my life. And I wasn’t too keen on the feeling.

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