Page 61 of Werewolves Don't Howl
“Of course it was. I only want to dance with the best dancer, who is the most beautiful woman, with the kindest character, who makes the best cookies.”
“You could just say you like my dancing. All that extra stuff just makes you suspicious.”
“I like your dancing, Delphinia,” he said with a slight smile, apparently amused by my stubbornness.
“Thank you for rescuing me.”
“I feel that I was rescuing Fera. It would be a pity if your mother ripped out all her lovely hair.”
“Mm.” I smiled up at him and spun with a little too much energy, but it didn’t matter because he was exactly where he needed to be when I came out of it, to lift me and toss my lightly a few feet away, always keeping a light yet firm grasp on my hand.
We spent the rest of the evening dancing, causing a lot of gossip. As in, how shocking that Delphinia really did have a suitor and it wasn’t just my mother’s wishful thinking. I stared up at Cross during a slow dance that was as close as it could be and still remain respectable. Pity Cross wasn’t really my suitor. Of course, a real suitor wouldn’t be able to play the part so convincingly, because they’d be stuck on logistics, like what in the world to do with a gnome, elf, werewolf. Cross was slightly confused, and he was a professional.
“You’re thinking about an oven again,” he said, eyes glimmering mysteriously in the moonlight.
“I’m thinking about how good you are at playing the perfect suitor. If you’re looking for a new career, once the glow of politics wears off, you should seriously consider escort to the strange and unwanted.”
His jaw hardened. “It is strange how you could feel unwanted.”
“I don’t feel unwanted. That’s how good you are. Take the compliment, Cross. You earned it.”
“Mm. You are extremely provoking.”
I beamed up at him. “Thank you. You see how easy it is to take a compliment?”
“It wasn’t a compliment, but you take it anyway. You are extremely provoking.”
“Mm.” I laughed and hugged him for a second before I pulled back. “You are a surprisingly good sport. I’ll try not to provoke you any more than is necessary.”
“I would appreciate it. It would be a pity if I forgot that I was the perfect suitor and became determined to prove how wanted you are, very publicly.”
“Ooh. That sounds positively scandalous. You’re a senator, you know.”
“Am I? Well, we must avoid scandal. Unless we are unduly provoked.”
I leaned against him, resting my cheek on his chest, listening to his heart beat. “I am full of all kinds of remorse. Imagine provoking a senator, unduly. I’m not sure I know what that word means.”
“More than is necessary, acceptable, or reasonable.”
“Now I’m certain I don’t know what it means. Willful ignorance, you know, is the hallmark of a truly well-bred gnome.”
He sighed heavily and leaned over me so I could feel the stir of his breath against my hair. He felt wonderful, smelled like the most delicious shaving cream mixed with all the purple blossoms imaginable, particularly irises and grape hyacinth. Delicious.
The music stopped, and for a moment we stayed there before he released me and stepped back, leaving me unsteady without the extra pair of legs I’d been relying on. He bowed to me low and then offered me his arm.
I smiled as I took it, forgetting that we were only playing a part.
ChapterSixteen
The wedding was simple compared to the dinner the night before. The small church was bursting as everyone crowded in, waiting for the bride to come down the aisle. Zephin Clay sat in a side aisle with a few of my father’s other Elven friends, sticking up in the crowd of gnomes. Cross blended in slightly better since my brothers transitioned to the truly short gnomes.
Bram stood at the front, adjusting his tie nervously, his eyes slightly wild until the music started, and the doors opened. Gloria wasn’t fussy, and neither were her dress or flowers. She looked like she owned the dress instead of the dress owning her, and her confidence and self-assurance were exactly what Bram needed to help him relax.
“She’s beautiful,” I whispered.
“Mm.” Cross squeezed my hand and for a moment, I felt like a part of my family instead of an outsider. He made me feel normal, safe, like I belonged.
Bram read his vows, fumbling on the words as he gazed earnestly at his sweetheart. And then my skin started to itch.
