Page 277 of Night's Fall
TheDayriseDynastywas famous for its members having sunny, golden hair.
However,Bainon’stousled mane was a dark gold that was almost brown, like the color of caramel.He, too, was tall (in order of tallness,Cormac, (shocker! he was even taller thanAleksei),Alekseinext, thenBainon, andTanynlast—still, they were all taller than average).
Bainon had the fit, athletic body of a male who spent a lot of time in the surf.Hisskin was tan.Hisfeatures skimmed pretty, but the maleness of him was so off the charts, they didn’t go there.Andhis eyes were a warm, dark brown.
Cormac was a revelation.
The male washuge.
He had hair the opposite ofBainon’s(it didn’t make sense unless you saw it).Itwas brown and golden, and this was due to natural highlights that flirted with the dark.Hehad a beast of a body that gave him the look of a shifter.Hisfeatures were ruggedly hewn.Andhis eyes were a startling bottle green.
I wasn’t recovered from the glory that lay before me, along with wondering what was wrong withCat, considering it didn’t look at all likeTanynhad a problem withMr.Truelock, or what might be up withGayle, asAlekseitook me to the king and queen.
I performed my bobbed curtsy asAlekseidid his short bow.
Then, to hells with it,Ileaned in and kissed each of their cheeks.
I knew they knewIknew with the tears that shimmered for a moment in the king’s eyes, and the sniffle the queen barely gave (butIheard it).
SoIquickly turned toAleeceto kiss her cheek, same with theVinestrongs, andAlekseiordered drinks for us from a hovering member of staff before he made his apologies to our current company and took me to meet the princes.
Seriously, they got better the closer we got, so my legs were trembling by the time we stopped among them.
I got four short bows (includingMr.Truelock), gave a bob andAlekseilaunched in.
“Bain,Mac,Tan, allow me the pleasure of introducing my fiancée,LauraMakepeace.”
“Pleasure,”Tanynmurmured.
“Nice to meet you,”Bainonsaid, seeming alert, aware, but not like there was any bad blood due to me replacing his sister.
Cormac just dipped his chin.
I nodded to each and then went in for a cheek touch withMr.Truelock.
“Dearest,” he said softly asIdid.
I pulled back, smiling at him, andAlekseiwrapped his arm around my waist.
“Are you well?”Tanynasked.
I shot him aWhatcan you do?look. “I’mhanging in there.Thankyou for asking.Andyou?”
“I will be,” he stated soberly.
Hmm.
Poised and serious indeed.
The staff member came carrying a tray with our drinks.Alekseitook them and handed my almondine sour to me.
I lifted it to my company. “Aslovely as it is to meet all of you, if you don’t mind,I’llexcuse myself.I’dlike to greet my friends.”
“Of course,”Bainonsaid.
I gave them a small smile, shot a larger one toAleksei, accepted the lip touch he dropped, and when he let me go, shooting another smile toMonique,GayleandMrs.Truelock,Imoved directly toCat.
I sat beside her.
