Page 40 of Bound and Beguiled

“Besides, if you’re going to take over as the new black sheep of the family, you have to commit. Having a Bandless with you will be the cherry on top of your rebellion.”

“I’m coming too,” Mouse announced, striding in from upstairs. Sir BurrRuss zoomed excitedly around him, tongues hanging out in delight as they greeted everyone. “And don’t you give me any arguments. You’re family now. End of story.”

I made a show of sighing dramatically, but my heart was fit to burst through my chest. “I guess my escort is all taken care of, then.”

“That’s right.” Shadowy tentacles snaked around the table, depositing sparkling flutes of mimosas at our fingertips. “Drink up, darling. It’s your special day. A girl only rains punishment down on her pathetic excuse for an ex once.”

I laughed and sipped, the sweet bubbly drink matching the excitement beginning to fizz through me.

“Your mother is going to shit herself when you show up with us.” Mared rubbed her hands together, wickedness lighting her face.

“About that,” Efa cut in. “Is that going to be a problem? Having an escort there already, I mean. We can deal with anybody who gets in your way, but it might be better to maintain the element of surprise.”

It was a good point. Getting stuck in a shouting match with my mother before we even got to the ceremony would take away from the grand entrance we were going for.

“I could call her...tell her not to bother...” I bit my lip, reluctance making me hesitate. My interest in talking to my mother was somewhere between “no thank you” and “die in a fire”. She’d had a lifetime to figure out how to aim her words straight to my heart, and the fear of crumbling before I won my freedom was very real.

Kynan’s hand closed over my thigh. At the same time, his magic wrapped around my throat, an invisible reminder of our connection.

I closed my eyes, blew out a breath, and took the phone Katarina held out.

“Who is this?” My mother’s voice was strident. But beneath the snappish superiority, desperation lurked. It steadied me.

“It’s me.”

“Tereza! Ymet’s tears, you waited long enough to call! Where are you? I’ll send a car to fetch you. You should be meditating already.”

“No need.” I barely recognized my own voice. I sounded confident and unemotional, and it was with some shock that I realized I felt that way too. “I don’t need a car or an escort. I’ll make my own way to the ceremony.”

“Young lady, I am under a lot of stress—all of which is your fault—and I do not have time for your foolishness. Tell me where you are!”

Katarina mouthed “young lady” with an expression of disbelief. Mared mimed squeezing someone’s neck.

“That won’t be happening. My escort and I will be there at two. Unless you’d rather I not show up?” My question dripped with innocent curiosity, and Kynan shook beside me, holding in his laughter.

The sound my mother made was deeply satisfying.

“Don’t be late!” she snapped, and cut off the call.

I handed Katarina’s phone back amidst raucous cheers. A feeling of triumph glowed in my chest as I got to my feet, and I reveled in it. I’d gone into battle with my mother and come out unscathed. Whatever came next, I’d already won.

Emyr and Mared took the hands I held out to them without hesitation, returning my fierce grin. “You heard the woman. Will you do me the honor of helping me don my armor?”

Chapter Sixteen

The red silk dress hugged my body, draping over my breasts and dipping low in the back. A slit bared one leg to the hip, especially now, sitting astraddle as I was. The golden sandals on my feet—which were blessedly flat—peeked from the slit in a glittering crisscross that tied at the knee.

My hair flowed around my shoulders in loose waves, looking better than it ever had thanks to some trickery of Emyr’s involving salt water. I wore no jewelry besides my bands, but Mared had dusted me with a fine gold shimmer that made my skin glow in the sunlight. It highlighted the assortment of bite marks I’d collected, which I loved, not to mention the Cairn Rider’s sigil glowing on my neck.

I wore mascara. My lashes were long, but pale, and I liked the way it defined them. I hadn’t been willing to tolerate any other makeup, so my lovers had taken turns kissing me until my cheeks were flushed and my lips swollen and rosy. They didn’t seem to mind.

Emyr was beautiful in his horse form. About fourteen hands high, his body was the same warm tan as his hair, while his mane, tail, and high socks were as black as his eyes. Mared had dusted him with the same gold powder, and together, we shone.

I hadn’t been excited about climbing onto his back without a saddle when I’d remembered about the dress and its lack of thigh protection. But he’d pouted something awful, saying a saddle would ruinthe look, and finally I’d given in. I think he’d just wanted to feel my thighs wrapped around him, the perv. I’d drawn the line at no underwear, though. A girl had to have limits.

I’d also drawn the line at carrying a knife. The dress was a good excuse—it offered no good place to hide one— but mostly I just didn’t want the responsibility. Kynan hadn’t been pleased, but he’d relented when I told himhecould be my weapon.

Impressive as we were—and even I had to admit we looked amazing—we were matched if not surpassed by the rest of my escort.

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