“Okay.”
“Now get ready for bed before I decide to do the job myself,” he warns with a smirk on his lips. “I’m liable to get distracted and we’d traumatize my baby sister for life when she’s about to bring your cat to you.”
“Ooof! I forgot,” I try to jump into action but his arms band tighter around me.
“Not so fast,” he says lowering face to mine. “I think I have you right where I want you.”
And then, when his mouth touches mine and his tongue sweeps across my lips, I get totally and utterly lost. Rhys kisses me stupid and when he pulls back, ending our kiss, his eyes sparkle with mirth.
“Better get to it then,” he says, his voice husky.
I let out an unladylike screech and take off into the closet where I shed my travel clothes and pull on soft silk pajamas and a matching robe before racing into the bathroom to take off my makeup and wash my face. Once I’m all slathered with enough serums and lotions to keep me youthful and glowing forever, I pull in a deep breath just as there’s a knock on the main door.
“Don’t be naked,” Dahlia calls out with a laugh as she knocks again. Rhys pulls open the door for her and ushers her in. She’s changed into designer loungewear herself and is carrying my cat.
“Leo!” I croon as I rush over to them and pull him into my arms. “Oh, how I missed you.”
“He got a betterHoney, I’m homethan I did,” Dahlia stage whispers to her brother.
“Aye,” he laughs. “She loves him, for sure, but never fear, she loves us as well.”
“Speak for yourself,” Dahlia laughs. “She loves me. You, my dear brother, may still be the villain of her story.”
“No,” he says with a soft look to me. “Now I’m her husband.”
“Haven’t you just been away shagging her brains out the whole time you were gone?” she asks. “She just got back. I want to catch up.”
“You can catch up tomorrow,” he says gently.
“But—” she starts.
“No,” he says. “Now we’re going to eat whatever sandwiches Maeve sends up and after that, I’m going to fuck my bride.”
“Ew,” she says, rolling her eyes. “We’re you always this horrid?”
“Aye,” he chuckles.
Dahlia lets out a sigh before wrapping her slim arms around me. “Very well then, new sister. It seems the villain has to have his way.”
“Apparently.” I laugh.
“Tomorrow, let’s have tea. I have so much I want to catch up with you,” she says, giving me a look and making her eyes go wide.
I have no idea what that means, but the image she presents has me smiling again.
“Sounds good. I have to meet with Rhys’s team for coronation planning.”
She turns her attention to Rhys who just shakes his head once. It’s subtle, but it’s there. Whatever he’s telling her not to reveal to me, I’m not sure. But I do know I’m done sticking my head in the sand and pretending that this life will all go away if I will it to. I’m going to find out everything I need to know about the coronation and what’s expected of me from now until I die.
“It’ll all be all right,” I tell her gently.
“Who are you and what have you done with my dear sister-in-law?” She laughs before turning to Rhys. “Did you bring home a changeling?”
“Aye.” He laughs at the same time as I say, “No.”
“Stella has decided that she loves me enough to stay here with me,” he says cheekily.
I do love him. Whether that will be enough, only time will tell.