Page 97 of Faking with the Fae King

“Mayor Wylde,” Reginald says from behind me, “I have a bone to pick with you. Who are all these strangers in our town?”

Keeping my back turned, I take a deep breath. The old grouch complained for years that there weren’t enough tourists visiting Ferndale Falls. Now that I’ve brought more people to town, he’s found a new thing to grumble about.

I spin around, smile firmly in place, which grows genuine as I take in the packed room full of a mix of faces I’ve seen for years and the newer additions who’ve already become dear. Pepperpot bustles in, talking to Diamond from Bling It On. Luke holds up one of the walls with his shoulder, his wings tucked close to his back, and Rune stands at the back of the room, feet shoulder-width apart, as if still in guard mode. The pixies fill one of the wooden chairs, sitting right beside Mrs. Greely, who doesn’t bat an eye at them due to the protection spell. Jared sits, holding hands with his wood-nymph boyfriend. Autumn and Skye and the rest of the Witch Bitches take up two whole rows, and my besties wave and grin.

“I don’t see any strangers, Reginald.” I smile sweetly at him as Severin’s arm wraps around my waist, one of his shadows coiling around my calf. “I see townspeople.”

I see Ferndale Falls’s future, written in hope and smiles.

“I see loved ones and friends.”

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Hannah

“It’s so beautiful!” Skye peeps out the Town Hall’s front door, then turns to me, her eyes dreamy with romance.

“I want to see.” I crane my neck.

“Nope.” Autumn pulls the door shut. “No sneak peeks for you. Severin gave strict orders. And can I just say your future hubs can be very… intense.”

“Insistent is the word you’re looking for,” Skye says.

Autumn snorts in amusement. “Well, heinsistedthat Hannah doesn’t see the town green early.”

“Besides, you don’t want to spoil the surprise,” Skye adds.

“You’re right.” I step back into the meeting room, which has been turned into bridal-prep central, the refreshment table holding every type of makeup and hair-styling device known to humanity, all courtesy of Mom. She’s even brought a standing three-way mirror.

She looks up from arranging four different types of curling wands to smile at me. Her soft-fuchsia dress perfectly compliments her light skin, and she’s shaped her long brown hair into an enviable up-do, her look a perfect blend of mother-of-the-bride and politician’s wife.

“Darling!” She throws her arms wide. “Are you ready?”

I take a seat and let her fuss over me. I could have had Valena from Haute and Bothered give me another magical makeover, but Mom hasn’t gotten to do any of the regular mother-of-the-bride things, so letting her get me ready is the least I can do.

We all chatter as Skye and Autumn put on makeup and do their hair, while Mom’s doing the same thing for me. Mom keeps the conversation fairly normal with them in the room, but the moment they leave to put on their bridesmaids’ dresses, her eyes meet mine in the mirror.

“So this young man of yours… you’ve made sure you’re sexually compatible, right?”

“Mom!”

“It’s important that he knows how to give you orgasms. Why your father—”

“Nope! Gonna stop you right there.” I throw up a hand, palm out. Then I soften my tone. “It’s okay, Mom. Really. Severin’s… ahhh… accomplished in that area.” My cheeks burn with mortification.

“Oh, I have just the blush to match that color!” Mom spins toward the table, hands hovering over the various options. When she turns back, holding the chosen blush and a fluffy brush, she says, “Well, that’s good. Women deserve orgasms, too.”

I picture last night, when Severin’s shadows coiled around my legs, spreading them wide, while more shadows held my wrists bound over my head. He buried his fingers inside me, stroking that special spot that makes me scream, while his tongue danced over my clit. Then he ordered, “Come for me, my good girl.”

I came so freaking hard I almost passed out.

“It’s not a problem,” I blurt, trying not to squirm. Totally, utterly not a problem.

Autumn steps into the room, wearing a gorgeous pale-peach dress made of Faerie silk that looks stunning on her. She’s gathered her long red hair into a side ponytail that falls in soft waves over the front of one shoulder.

Skye follows her, her dress a blush-pink that clings to her enviable curves perfectly. Her platinum blonde hair is in one of her fancier 1950s-styles, her lips painted a softer pink than her usual to better match the dress.

“You both look amazing!”

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