Page 52 of Perfectly Matched

“Sofia, I’d like you to meet, Payson.”

Sofia’s brow shot up as she cocked her head. “Well, I’d say by the look on your face, this one must be special.”

“She is,” Hannah said, then guided Bella to the entrance, slid off, and took Payson in her arms. “Did you enjoy the ride?”

“Very much,” she answered as she stared at the castle.

Hannah reached out and entwined their fingers. “Ready?”

Payson hesitated. “Okay, let’s just say all of this is real, and I really am going in there to meet a queen. What if she doesn’t like me?”

“Are you kidding?” Hannah leaned in and kissed her. “You are the most amazing, kindest, beautiful woman I’ve ever known. She’s going to love you.”

She gazed at Hannah. “Keep talking like that and I’m never going to want to wake up.”

Hannah laughed as she escorted her into the castle.

“Holy shit,” Payson mumbled as she spun in a circle.

“Yes,” Nikita said as she strolled into the room flanked by Oriana and Anna. “It is rather stunning, isn’t it?”

Hannah hurried over and bowed. “Queen Nikita, Master Archer Oriana, and beautiful Anna. May I present, Payson.”

Payson gasped. “I am so sorry, I didn’t mean…um, I said that phrase with the utmost of admiration.”

Nikita smiled as she approached. “I can already see the similarities you two share.” She extended a hand. As Payson shook it, Nikita held her grasp and searched her eyes. “And I can also see you have a kind soul. I see why our beloved Hannah is so taken by you. And those eyes…I have only once seen eyes of such color that they could mesmerize with one glance. How interesting,” she muttered in a faraway voice. “How interesting indeed.”

A flush spread across Payson’s face as she lowered her head.

Hannah took a step in Oriana’s direction with the intent to introduce her to Payson, but Oriana huffed in obvious disgust, spun, and walked away. “Oriana,” Hannah called as Nikita placed a hand on her forearm.

“Let her be,” Nikita said. “And understand that it has been a long time since a mortal has set foot in this castle. Some wounds only heal on the surface.”

“What happened to her?”

“That is her story to tell. Now then…” Nikita gestured in the opposite direction. “You’re just in time for dinner. I think you’ll find that our chefs are quite talented.”

Hannah glanced over her shoulder at the space that had only moments ago held Oriana as Nikita escorted them into the dining hall. From time to time, she had heard whispers of a rumor about Oriana falling in love with a mortal woman who’d ended up joining the uprising. Her scar was the result of a swordfight between them when Oriana stepped in and tried to stop her, a duel that ended with Oriana disfigured and the woman she loved fatally wounded. If the rumors were true, it was no wonder Oriana felt the way she did toward mortals returning to the island.

When they approached a long table that could easily accommodate a group of fifty or more, Hannah pulled out a chair for Payson, then settled next to her.

“Payson, tell us what life is like in the place you call home,” Nikita said as plates of food were placed in front of them.

They fell into a comfortable conversation, but Payson was peppered with more questions than Hannah felt comfortable with. But as Payson handled each one with grace and a smile, the feeling of awe rose within Hannah, just as it had when Payson juggled a multitude of tasks at the station. She felt proud to be by her side.

After the meal, Nikita expressed sorrow about ending the conversation but stressed that she must get back to her duties. “It was a pleasure to spend time with you, Payson.”

“The pleasure was all mine,” Payson said.

“Regarding the law,” Nikita said. “I will make my decision and announce it in the morning. Until then, Payson has my blessing to stay on the island tonight if she chooses.”

Hannah’s knees buckled at the impact of the gesture. “The right words of gratitude escape me, but I can assure you that I’m grateful beyond measure.”

“The expression of love is one that should never be tamped down,” Nikita said as she placed an arm around Anna’s waist. “Now, go enjoy what’s left of the day while I address the concerns this will undoubtably cause with the island elders.”

“And Oriana?” Hannah said.

“There is much you do not know. She has a right to her feelings over this, and she will have a voice in the discussion.”

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