Page 16 of Curvy Alpha Bride
“I suppose you’re right about that,” he mutters. “Come on, then.”
I follow Xavier through the rose garden and out to the parking lot. Walking a step behind him, I keep my eyes peeled for any sign of someone I know checking us out. I really don’t want to explain this. Hopefully, I can get back to town with this being a purely ceremonial arrangement, a contract with no strings attached.
Even though I have that very nicely sorted in my mind, I’m pretty sure Cass and Lexa won’t leave it at that.
Xavier holds open the car door for me, but I barely glance at him as I get in. He tries to initiate conversation a few times, but I don’t have anything to say and can barely manage one-word responses.
As we cross the high peaks of Lycan Pass, the sun crosses over us, casting dark shadows into the valley as we approach. I feel a sudden chill that seems to have nothing to do with the temperature, but comes from deep within my bones.
As we descend towards Valentine Creek, I feel a faint touch of fear tingling through me. It’s very different from theanxiety I feel about my marriage to Xavier. By the time we reach the valley floor, the feeling has settled a bit, and I’m so enchanted by the scenery, I almost forget about it.
“The buildings are so pretty!” I exclaim as we cruise through the main street.
“Handmade,” Xavier says. “No machinery. Their ancestors put them together, rock by rock.”
“That’s insane,” I say as we pass a tall structure with magnificently sculpted archways.
“There are some statues in the park, too. You should see some of the woodworking in the smaller shops.”
“It’s amazing. Like everyone out here is an artist.”
“You don’t know how right you are. Because there has been no trade or commerce outside the town for so long, they make everything from scratch. They’ve devoted their whole lives to making the town secure and self-sufficient.”
“It’s wonderful,” I say. “But also kind of sad that it had to happen.”
“I agree,” Xavier replies.
“Do you think we’ll ever know why they ended up at war with Gryphon Eyrie?”
“Probably not.”
My excitement at seeing the town flickers a bit as we park in front of what must be Town Hall. The building has wide double doors open on every wall so people can come and go easily, and lots of picnic tables and extra seating around the outside of the building.
As we approach, a few people come out and wave at us. They look so happy and excited. I wave back.
Xavier extends a hand to me, and I give him a sideways look.
“You have to,” he mutters.
I know he’s right, and even though the nerves are shredding my stomach, I reach out and slide my palm into his. The effect his warm skin has on mine is immediate, and all my anxiety transforms into a more intense feeling I’d long forgotten.
Focusing on the doors up ahead, I take deep breaths and try to ignore my body’s reaction.
I can want him, but not give in to him. I’ll probably always have a reaction to him that I can’t control, and that’s fine—it doesn’t have to mean anything. All I have to do is stay here for seven days, and so long as the marriage isn’t consummated, I can leave without consequences.
“Xavier, my dear!” A tall, slender woman, one I recognize as Xavier’s mother, hurries out of the hall towards us, grabbing Xavier’s cheeks to kiss him on the forehead. “I’m so happy for you. This is a great day for us all.”
“Hello, Finnah,” I say, holding out my hand. “It’s nice to see you.”
“Actually, this is my Aunt Serra,” Xavier says. “My mom—I mean, Finnah and Serra are identical twins.”
“Wait,” I mutter in disbelief. “Finnah isn’t your mom?”
“No, dear,” Serra says, hugging me. “Finnah left town with Xavier, not long after his mother died, to keep him safe. She didn’t know if she would ever be able to come back, so she raised him as her own. With all the violence here, it was far better for him to stay away.”
“Okay,” I say.
This is weird.
