by Kimbra Swain
“No, I’m fine,” I replied, as he took a seat in the folding chair next to me.
“Well, all in all, it was a good wedding. Minus the centaur,” he said.
“Wasn’t that kind of strange though?” I asked.
“How so? You had to guess that Rhiannon would try to put her two cents in,” he said.
“Yeah, but I think maybe there was more to it,” I said.
“I’m sure there was,” he said. “Fairies are manipulative. She’s playing a game.”
“Okay, now. You are just as much fairy as the rest of us now,” I said.
“I like to think I’ve still got a little human in me,” he smiled.
“You do. Way too much,” I said.
He laughed as Jenny came and sat down at the roundtable with us. She had a plate with a slice of cake on it. “Oh, my goodness, this cake is magical,” she said.
“It probably is. Luther made it,” I replied.
“I don’t care who made it. It’s amazing,” she said.
“Are you and Tennyson going to tie the knot?” Levi asked.
“Yea, about the same time you and Grace get married,” she said with an evil grin.
I almost snorted punch out of my nose. Levi laughed at her while I tried to find a napkin on the table. He handed me one, and I wiped my mouth.
“You know, I’m the only one around here that can say such things and get away with it,” I said, teasing her back. She loved irritating me about Levi even though he and I had reached an agreement on the whole “wedding prophecy” thing.
“Apparently not,” she grinned with icing on her lips.
Tennyson unbuttoned his jacket and sat next to her. She picked up a small piece of cake on a fork offering it to him. He shook his head no, then looked over to us.
“Are you concerned?” he asked.
“About Rhiannon?” I asked back.
“Yes,” he replied.
“Not really. I doubt she would come here knowing she could cease to exist if she died here. She’s the one that created this cursed place,” I said.
“Actually, killing her here might be the only way to break the curse,” Levi said.
“You sure about that?” I asked.
“No, but it makes sense. I’ve been reading the spell book that we found in Mable’s things. There were a lot of curses there towards the end of the book,” he said. “The way to reverse them often lies in the caster removing them.”
“I’m not sure we can get her to volunteer that after I let her grown son get married to a lovely woman,” I said. Over Jenny’s shoulder, I could see Astor and Ella immersed in each other on the dance floor. The gypsies were playing a slower song, and the newlyweds swayed to the music in each other’s arms.
Throughout the day I had pushed away images of my own wedding that never happened. I had never been keen on the idea in the first place, but now that it hadn’t happened, I had missed the what could have been.
“Grace,” Levi’s voice echoed in my head.
“Sorry, got distracted,” I said looking back to Jenny.
“They make a beautiful couple,” she said. “Are they going to live here?”
“No! Thank goodness. They are building a house on the other side of my property. It flanks the far side of the stone circle,” I said. “It’s almost finished. Remy has been working on it. In the meantime, they are going to live in one of the small houses in Neverland estates.”
Remy and Tabitha walked up to join us at the table.
“Well, speak of the devil,” I said.
“Grace, you talkin’ about me again?” Remy said in his N’awlins drawl.
“Yep,” I replied.
“I’ve told you. It’s over between us. I’m in love with my doctor here,” he said as he wrapped an arm around Tabitha. She blushed and shook her head at him.
“Well, darn,” I said.
“That’s okay, Grace. I hear that Troy’s Beta still has his eye on you,” Jenny offered with her hand over her mouth to conceal the wad of cake she was chewing on. Levi grunted, and Jenny giggled.
“He hasn’t spoken to me since that day in Hot Tin,” I said.
“I bet he would dance with you,” Jenny teased. Levi became more uncomfortable as the tease continued.
“I’m not in the dancing mood,” I said flatly trying to shut it down.
“That’s too bad,” she said as she licked the icing off her fork. Tennyson watched her lustfully.
“Stop that,” he grunted. She licked it again watching him shift in his seat.
“Good grief. Get a room,” I said.
“I think I will,” she replied. “Goodnight y’all.
Tennyson jumped up to offer his hand. She took it, and they walked back toward the front of the house where everyone had parked their vehicles. I knew that Stone and Bronx were out there waiting on them. I had already sent each of them a piece of cake.
Bramble flew up, then landed on the table in front of me.
“My queen,” he squeaked. “The children are playing too close to the woods considering night is upon us.”
“I’ll get it,” Levi said, standing up. “Show me where, Bramble.”
“Right this way, my King,” Bramble replied.
Bramble and Briar were the only ones that called Levi King. Everyone else treated him with respect as a leader and formidable force, but not as a King. I feared that the only thing that would gain him that title would be a marriage.
“How are you and he getting along?” Tabitha asked.
“Just fine,” I replied.
“You sure about that?” she asked.
“What are you getting at?”
“I dunno. It just seems like something has changed between you,” she replied.
“We reached an agreement,” I said.
“Do tell,” she smiled. Remy leaned back in his chair waiting for me to respond.
“We talked about it, and we both agree that thinking about Dylan’s prophecy will only hinder our progress here in Shady Grove. We are planning an attack on Winter, and the last thing we need to worry about is a dream that may or may not come true. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t,” I explained.
“If it doesn’t, it will kill him,” she said. Remy poked her in the side. “Ow!”
“Grace, what she means is, there are consequences for him if you decide that you don’t love him,” Remy said.
“That’s just it. I do love him,” I replied.
“Other than Aydan, here,” I said.
“Aydan!” Aydan said mimicking his name.
“Yes, Aydan, I love Levi more than any other man in this town. For now, it’s enough,” I said.
“And when it isn’t enough?” Tabitha asked.
“I don’t know,” I replied. The conversation had made me uncomfortable. I began to look for a way out, but the one that approached wasn’t what I was thinking about.
“Good afternoon, everyone,” Dominick said to the table.
We greeted him when he turned to me. I groaned inside because I knew it was coming.
“Grace, I would be honored if you would dance with me,” he said.
I sighed, then said, “I’m sorry. I’m not really in the dancing mood tonight. Thank you for your offer.”
“Raincheck, perhaps?” he asked with a wide smile. His green eyes flickered with the animal inside of him.
“Maybe,” I replied trying to be polite.
“The wedding was very nice, and your home is beautiful,” he said. “Have a good evening.” He backed away slowly without breaking eye-contact with me. It was a bold move, and he held it without looking away. It wasn’t anything like he had done in the bar with me the first time we met.
Unfortunately for him, he backed right into Levi.
“Hello, Dominick,” Levi said with the worst fake smile I’d ever seen.
“Oh, hey, Levi. Good party. I’m heading out,” Dominick said, then rushed out of the tent.
Levi’s ey
es locked on me. A scowl painted his handsome scarred face.
“Uh-oh,” Tabitha muttered.
I rolled my eyes, as Levi marched up. He took the seat next to me again without a word.
“How are the children?” I asked.
“Away from danger,” he replied shortly.
“Good,” I said.
A cheer went up from the crowd as Astor and Ella got ready to leave. Levi reached for Aydan who went straight to him. He stood with him on his hip, offering his hand to me. I took it, and we walked out together to the line of waiting friends and family.
Astor and Ella left with a flurry of love. I sighed pushing the dark thoughts away. Astor made eye-contact with me right before he slipped into the truck we bought for him. He nodded in thanks and I smiled because my ginger knight was about to have a night to remember.
Levi helped with the clean-up outside while I got Aydan and Winnie put to bed.
“How did you do this to this dress?” I asked pulling the burnt dress off over her head. Her brown hair flared out with static electricity and she giggled.
“I didn’t mean to do it,” she sighed.
“Luther has been teaching you to control it,” I said. “Right?”
“Yes, and I can control it,” she said. “Most of the time.”
“Most of the time isn’t good enough, Winnie. You’ve got to work harder. Did you get angry at someone?” I asked knowing that when she got mad at me once before she had lost control.
“Maybe,” she said.
“Who?” I asked.
“That boy,” she snorted.
“Wynonna Riggs, what boy?”
“Corbin,” she huffed.
“Did you burn him?” I asked.
“No, Mark tackled me before I let it go on him,” she said.
“Why in the world did you want to burn him?” I asked. I knew there had been a time or two in my life where a man made me mad enough to want to freeze his dick off, but I didn’t think that would be a good example to share with Winnie. Besides, she was only seven. What could a little boy do to piss her off so badly?
Just a couple of weeks ago we had a birthday party filled with rainbows and unicorns. It was a glittery fun occasion without a fire incident. In fact, there hadn’t been an incident in almost three weeks.
“He said bad things,” she said.
“What kind of bad things?” I asked.
“He said that Mark and I were boyfriend and girlfriend. I tried to tell him we were just friends, but Corbin kept on and on and on and wouldn’t stop,” she said.
“So, you burned him?” I asked.
“No, Momma. I just got mad. The fire stuff just happened,” she replied. “I’m very sorry. I didn’t burn him. Just my dress. Mark kept me from doing it.”
“Well, good for Mark. Winnie, honey, you’ve got to be more careful,” I said.
“I know, Momma,” she replied. I kissed her goodnight and shut the door to her room. “Momma?”
“Yes, Winnie?”
“Will you make sure Uncle Levi gives me a goodnight kiss?” she asked.
“Of course,” I replied. I wouldn’t have to remind him. He never forgot.
“The princess wants her kiss,” I said.
“On my way,” he replied.
I walked down the hallway to Aydan’s room. Nestor sat in the rocking chair with the little man asleep on his lap. He wasn’t so little anymore though. He was growing way too fast, and it made my heart ache to see it.
“How’s Winnie?” he asked.
“She got mad at a boy and almost burned him, but Mark stopped her,” I said. “I need to thank him for watching out for her.”
“He’s attached to her,” Nestor said.
“How does that work with wolves? Can they choose a mate this early?” I asked.
“Yes, but I don’t think it’s gone that far. He’s very protective though. I think it’s a good thing for her,” he said.
I sighed. Winnie was seven. The last thing I wanted to consider was her mating. Ugh.
“Come on, Little Bird,” I said lifting the little chunk off Nestor’s lap.
“He was very good today,” Nestor said.
“He’s always good,” I said as I kissed his cheek, then laid him down in the toddler bed we recently bought. The crib wouldn’t hold him anymore. So, we moved up a notch on the bed scale.
“Night, night, Momma,” he muttered.
“I love you, Aydan,” I said.
Nestor and I slipped out into the hallway. When I looked him in the eye, I knew he was worried about me.
“I’m fine,” I said.
Levi bounded up the steps, looked at us for a moment, then rushed into Winnie’s room.
“You sure?” Nestor persisted.
“I’m sure. It was a gorgeous wedding. Everyone had a blast. I’m good,” I said.
He hugged me tightly. “See you tomorrow,” he said as he left me alone with Levi and the children.
“Night, Princess,” Levi said as he closed her door.
“Everything cleaned up outside?” I asked.
“Just about. I need your help with something,” he said.
“Okay,” I replied following him down the steps.
“There are some serving plates out here that I don’t know where they go,” he said.
“Why are you lying to me?” I asked.
He stopped just before opening the back door. “Because,” he said.
When he opened the door, the backyard was completely devoid of all the wedding paraphernalia, except the tent and the floor. I sighed shaking my head at him.
“Don’t even. It is traditional to dance at a wedding, and you didn’t. It was a slight to the couple. I’m giving you a chance to make it up,” he said grinning. He offered me his hand, but I didn’t take it.
“I wasn’t lying to Dominick when I told him I wasn’t in the mood,” I said.
“I don’t care. You are going to dance with me even if I have to make you,” he countered lifting the eyebrow under his scar.
If I didn’t relent, he was serious, because he’d use his power over me to make me do it. I wasn’t going to bed before I danced with him. Occasionally, I knew that I had to give something to him. He needed it, and I owed it to him for his devotion and loyalty. It was like nourishment for his love-talker soul. Placing my hand in his, I allowed him to escort me to the center of the tent.
Power swirled around us as he pulled it to play his tattoo.
One arm on my waist. Another in my hand. He began to lead me around the floor.
“It might be condescending, but I was proud of you tonight,” he said.
Quirking my face sideways to him, he laughed. “Sounds condescending,” I smirked.
“You allowed them to have the wedding here because you love them. Despite your own pain and loss, you put that aside for them. It’s pretty awesome of you, Grace,” he said.
“I couldn’t tell them no,” I said trying to avoid getting choked up.
The hand around my waist pulled me closer to him, and we no longer moved around the floor. We just swayed to the light tones of his guitar. I had watched women in this town for over a year dream of getting a moment like this with Levi, and he was giving it to me. The one person who couldn’t love him as he wanted. I loved Levi for this, and for so many other things, but the thought of being with him caused more pain than pleasure. Until that ratio changed, we were both shit outta luck.
“Don’t over think it, Grace,” he said. “We are just dancing.”
“It feels like more than dancing,” I said. He couldn’t help but smile.
“Maybe it is,” he said. “But we made an agreement. One that I intend to honor.”
“This is honoring our agreement?” I asked.
“Absolutely. I told you. It was a wedding, and you should have danced at it. I’m just giving you the opportunity to make up for your mistake,” he said.
“They will never know,” I said.
“Sure. I
can’t wait to tell Astor you danced with me,” he said.
I wrenched my hand from his and slapped him on the shoulder. “Levi!” I said, laughing because I couldn’t help it. He laughed, and to my surprise, the guitar continued to play. He had more concentration than I thought. He took my hand again, bringing my palm to his lips.
“I love you, Grace,” he said, then kissed my palm.
Suddenly, I was in sensory overload. The tingle of the kiss, the magic of the music, and the sincerity in his voice. It was like I was drowning in it. I stepped away from him to break the intensity.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “It was too much.”
The guitar stopped. “No, I’m sorry,” he said hanging his head.
I couldn’t leave him like this, even though I wanted to run. I put my hand over his scar on his cheek. “I think that you have more power than you know. From your father’s side. Your words, actions, and magic bring an intensity that I couldn’t bear. It’s not your fault, Levi.”
“I shouldn’t have said that,” he said.
Lifting his eyes to mine, I said, “I love you, too. You know that, right?”
“Yeah, but it’s not the same,” he said with a touch of broody. It made me grin. He shook his head, knowing what had caused it.
“I should go to bed,” I said.
“Yeah, I’ll just get the lights turned off and put up the wards for the night,” he said.
I kissed him on the cheek and left him alone on the dance floor. I felt his pain. I hurt, too. Not just for the hole in my heart, but for the longing in his.
Troy sat across from my desk with Amanda by his side. We talked about Winnie and Mark. Specifically, the incident with Corbin.
“I’m thankful he is so protective of her, but I don’t want to see him get hurt,” I said. “She’s so powerful, and we haven’t tamed it yet.”
“You might not ever tame it. Sometimes things like this are hard to determine,” Amanda said. “Mark is tough, and he adores her. Don’t worry about him.”
“Don’t you worry that he’s too attached? They are seven!” I said.
“He could very well become so attached to her that he would want her for a mate. Usually, males don’t do that until their teens. I think we don’t have to worry about that for now. A wolf is protective by nature. He’s just protecting what he considers to be his, even if she doesn’t see it that way,” Amanda said.