Page 33 of The Light Falls
In the mirror, we both smile at the same time.
“It’s perfect. Pair it with silver heels,” she orders me. The corners of her mouth turn down. “You’re the first person Lorn’s asked out here. He’s so charismatic. Sometimes I worry he’ll find someone who won’t want me around, and I’ll be all alone.”
“He would never leave you,” I assure her. “Besides, even if he found someone, I know he would make sure they accepted you, too.”
Her lavender eyes find mine. “You’re right. I’m being silly.” Spinning around, she heads toward the door. “Have fun tonight!”
Her step falters the tiniest bit when she opens the door and sees Tiernan on the other side, but she slides around him and into the hall.
“Bye,” I call out softly, shutting the door behind her.
I can’t quite figure her out. Mercurial one moment, calm elegance the next. I sigh. Maybe she’s like me, a little mixed up and trying to find her way.
Or a lot mixed up, especially after that kiss earlier. I rub my lips lightly, still able to feel the intense kiss. Cormal had to have felt something when he kissed me. But what? I’ve been insanely attracted to him for years. I was so sure he would eventually give in to the mountain of sexual tension between us, but he never did. So, why now? I know it’s not because I have a date. In the past, I tried everything to make him jealous, including flaunting my dates in his face. He’d flash an amused smirk and walk off.
Cormal’s intuition is extraordinary. Maybe he senses that I’m ready to move on and find something real. Preferably with someone who isn’t surrounded by secrets and lies.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
MERI
Kaius assigns four guards to go on the date. I beg him to reconsider, but he coolly informs me that until I’m prepared to defend myself and my guards, this will be the protocol for all my dates. The mulish expression on his face tells me I’m not going to be able to sway his mind.
With a frustrated sigh, I give in and text Lorn to let him know I’ll be bringing four men on our date. What if he thinks this is too much trouble for a date? I nervously chew the inside of my cheek, waiting for his reply.
Lorn: At least they won’t be competing for your attention.
I grin. Perfect answer.
Meri: Leaving now.
Tiernan and Laken go through the portal first. When Ansel receives the signal, I step through with Garren and him. The first person I see is Lorn wearing his signature smile, which immediately makes me smile too.
He strides forward and bends down to give me a kiss on the cheek. “You look stunning, Queen Meri.”
Mmm, you smell delicious, Lorn.
Dressed in a sharp navy suit with a baby-blue button-down that emphasizes his broad shoulders and height, Lorn looks suave and sophisticated.
My magic spikes with the large crowd, and it’s all I can do to breathe through it.
“Thank you,” I say breathlessly. “Would you mind calling me Meri on our date? When you add the queen, it sounds so formal.”
A delighted smile appears. “It would be my pleasure, Meri.” He picks up my hand and tucks me into his side. “The crowd’s a crush tonight. Word must have gotten out that you were attending. It’s probably a good thing you brought extra guards with you. Stay close, and I’ll make sure nobody bothers you.”
With my petite frame protected by him, and the four guards surrounding us, we easily get through the crowd in plenty of time. Our plush, gold velvet seats are in a box overlooking the entire theatre. Lorn pulls my chair out for me to sit first.
“These seats are incredible. We can see everything from here.”
I look across at the other boxes and see several individuals staring at us. Guess the view goes both ways.
Lorn’s mouth twists into a wry smile. “My original tickets were for two seats in the middle.” He gestures to the main seating area below us. “Ansel felt it would be too hard to protect you in a sea of individuals.” He places his mouth near my ear. “This is your box.”
The low timbre of his voice in my ear makes me shiver. I turn and find my lips only a couple inches from his. “Thank you for being so understanding about the security. Honestly, it feels odd to have someone watching over me.”
A line appears between his brows. “Who took care of you before you became queen? Your father?”
“I did,” I say with an amused smile. “Although having a guardian who most people feared was an advantage I made sure to flaunt.” Not just Leandra, but Cormal too. But his role in my life is entirely too difficult to explain.
