Page 19 of Fake Fae-Ancée

"And promise me you won't freak out."

"I promise I won't freak out," she said, looking like she might be able to keep that promise for maybe five minutes. But as long as Charly thought there was some mysterious engagement thing going on, she wouldn’t ask what had happened to my back — a question I had no answer to myself, which, frankly, scared the shit out of me. The list of disturbing things I couldn’t remember happening grew longer and longer.

I needed answers.

But I needed to get past this day in one piece, first.

Kai

Sometime after the ceremony,Charly and I were stranded at one of the small bar tables in the lobby of the luxurious estate the wedding was taking place. The reception was in full swing — inside, because a thunderstorm had rolled over the estate when the bride had walked down the aisle, showering the world in heavy rain — and I was wondering how I was going to get through this day.

I hadn't thought about my own wedding in a long time. There had been much fewer people. Just me and Kalinin and a bored, Dutch registrar. I had worn a light green dress from a thrift-shop, and Kalinin a no-name suit.

He had only told me after the ceremony that he was in fact a prince, first in line to the Throne of Bears. At least he could never claim that I had said yes because of his title and riches. No, I could only blame that on a hell of a lot of pheromones and my own idiocy.

I was just sipping on my glass of champagne when Gabriel appeared. The room was so crowded with EDF uniforms — Claudio had invited our entire former unit — that Gabe stood out quite a bit in his tuxedo, looking even more like a Scandinavian model than on normal days.

"Ladies." He clinked his glass first against Charly's and then mine, along with a scrutinizing and rather odd look.

"Something wrong?" I bit out.

"I just got a call from your plus one," he said, emphasizing the last two words.

I stared. My Vampire friend stared back, unblinking.

"Your plus one?" Charly started bouncing up and down. I quickly dropped my hand with the ring under the table.

"I don't have a plus one," I hissed.

Gabriel raised one of his perfect eyebrows.

"May that be as you say, butKalininasked me to let you know that he's running late."

"Did he now!" This came out as a growl.

Charly next to me was obviously mentally adding one and one. Or in this particular case: one mysterious ring, plus one pompous asshole, equals... I downed the contents of my glass in one go along with a very biting remark.

"He also asked me to tell you to please not go outside."

"Excuse me?!" I blinked at Gabe.

"I suppose because of the abysmal weather." Thunder rolled, dramatically emphasizing his words.

"Yeah, right." I gritted, fuming. Kalinin didn’t want me to go outside? Who did that pompous bastard think he was?

"He was very adamant about it." Gabe gave me another pointed look. "His exact choice of words: make sure she stays in the building."

"Like it’s any of his business if I bloody well leave the bloody building," I muttered, but before I could go on, the bride herself appeared, throwing herself at me in a fierce hug.

"Thankyouthankyouthankyou!" Lily squeaked into my shoulder.

I hugged her back, then grinned at Claudio who loomed in front of us like a brick wall in a suit. My best friend in the whole world, who usually went through life with a semi-permanent scowl, now had an idiotic smile plastered on his face that made him look very undaemonious.

"Hey, fuzzy bear? How's married life?"

"I'm probably the luckiest moron at this event," he said. Lily stepped aside and Claudio let me hug him.

"Congratulations, jerk."

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