Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 104842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
“Are you nervous about tomorrow?” I asked her.
She had her hand in Duro’s. “No. I was more nervous about farting in the middle of your wedding vows because I’ve been so gassy lately.”
Duro chuckled, Merikh did as well, and I shook my head at her.
“What? I’m telling the truth.”
“Classy.”
“No, gassy,” she corrected me and then cackled like a loon.
Once we were sated, Dae-Jung showed us the sweet little wedding cake he made, which was reserved for me and Varic. I should have thought to ask him to make it for us to begin with, and would remember that I had an amazing chef, and baker, at my disposal at all times going forward. He then surprised us and gave me and Ode cupcakes made of the same vanilla cake with a blackberry compote and strawberry buttercream.
“These are amazing,” I told him.
He squinted at me, looking unsure.
“He said the cupcakes are amazing,” Ode translated for me, and Dae-Jung smiled at her. “I know it’s hard to understand him when his mouth is full like that.”
I turned to her.
“You cannot talk with your mouth full. I’ve told you that a million times. Not only is it rude as hell, but you’re not communicating at all.”
Later, as all of us, even Dae-Jung, returned to the party, Ode told me how thankful she was for me.
“Knock it off,” I told her.
“No. You brought Duro into my life, you’re making it so I can be with him far longer than I would have been, and lots of nice midwives are coming with you to deliver my baby when it’s time. You’ve taken away all my worries—though you did scare me to death when you were kidnapped.” She smacked my bicep.
“That will not occur again, lady,” Merikh told her. “My consort is no longer allowed to leave the palace, for any reason, ever, alone.”
I glanced at her. “I actually have learned my lesson.”
“Yes,” she agreed, patronizing me. “Zev told me you would say that. Consider us inseparable, my consort.”
Ode cackled. “Oh, I like her.”
Apparently defending myself any further was useless.
When we arrived back in the ballroom, Varic was moving across the crowded dance floor with Cirillo, and I had to admit, they made a beautiful pair. I loved seeing Varic and everyone else dance. I noted also that Varic had ditched his cloak as well.
“It’s like out of a movie,” Ode breathed out. “Jason, you live in a fairy tale.”
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. When the song ended, many people clustered around Varic, and I stepped behind Duro so Varic wouldn’t see me.
“My consort?” the big man asked me, not turning his head. “What are you about?”
“I want Varic to have a good time and visit with everyone. That’s what’s supposed to happen at a reception.”
“Is it?” he asked Ode, who was, we all knew, the authority on all things wedding.
“No,” she told him, as Zev walked toward me.
I was going to say something to him, give him crap for talking to Merikh and making me out to be some kind of daredevil, when he slipped by me and offered Dae-Jung his gloved hand.
“May I have this dance?”
Dae-Jung’s beautiful onyx eyes got so big and round as he stared at the golden man waiting on his answer. “I never learned to…dancing was not something required of a courtesan,” he said under his breath.
“You’re a courtier now,” Zev stated flatly. “So you will need to learn, as you will be attending our consort. For now, simply follow my lead—but only if you want to.”
“I want to,” Dae-Jung rushed out, grasping Zev’s hand tight. “You know I want to.”
Zev smiled at him, and when they started dancing, no one could take their eyes off the two of them. They were beautiful together. At the same time, several lords and ladies withdrew, the assorted whispers telling me all I needed to know about a cadeyrn and a courtier, both with what they considered sordid pasts, being allowed to dance at the prince’s wedding.
Ode and Duro joined them in the waltz, then Hadrian and Tiago.
There was warm breath down the side of my neck before a kiss was pressed there. I turned and smiled at my prince.
“Let’s join our friends and show everyone how ridiculous old ideas are,” he said, leading me to the floor. When the king and queen followed, there was suddenly a mad rush to join.
“I’m glad you made Dae-Jung your courtier,” Varic told me as he held me tight. “Now Zev can court him, as he’s no longer a servant.”
This was news. “Zev wants to court Dae-Jung?”
“I think he wants to spend time with him, and now that he’s in my service, but not yours, and Dae-Jung has been elevated, they can both take whatever steps they want.”
At the moment, Dae-Jung had his cheek resting against Zev’s chest, and his eyes were closed. Zev was smiling, and I loved seeing that. It would be wonderful if they could find love and peace, and I was hopeful for both of them.