10. Aiden

10

AIDEN

I watched the evening unfold, the rehearsal dinner buzzing with a strange energy.

"Humans and their strange ideas," I muttered under my breath, not fully grasping the need to practice festivities. Didn't they understand that nothing could be practiced enough to make it flawless if other beings were involved?

Cassie beamed like the moon in her joy, surrounded by her family and friends. Her happiness suspended my doubts. I'd do much to sustain that level of joy in her.

My human lover moved among the guests, her laughter filling the room. Her interaction fueled my momentary annoyances. It was a hard-won battle to not interfere with her socializing with them when every instinct screamed ‘Mine'!

If they truly perceived the marvel she was they'd try to steal her from me. That went double for my kindred. In point of fact, stealing human lovers was a time-honored game and tradition. One they had best not practice on Cassie. Being King now, I could be very pointed in my wrath if they tried it.

Besides, knowing her, she'd rescue herself and kick their butts bloody as she did so.

My gaze narrowed for just a moment when she reached Bran. He bowed slightly, his pale straight hair a contrast to her dark waves. She kissed his cheek, and he straightened up, a gentle smile curving his mouth. I couldn't help but give him a hard look, since he was wedding her sister.

In my opinion he was getting the worse end of the deal, but he wanted Roma from all I'd been told. No accounting for taste.

As Cassie guided her companions through the stone corridors of the castle, her friend, the sibyl Shay, mentioned the mechanical innovations she'd had installed. The others listened with interest, but for me I wondered how the tedium could be borne.

What was radiant heat anyway?

I trailed the little group, my eyes scanning the area—not for appreciation, but precaution. The last thing we needed tonight was Shay to be triggered into prophecy.

It would cast a pall on events and make Cassie worried and sad.

"Is it just me or does Shay have the uncanny ability to make coin-counting sound like an epic saga?" I spoke softly to Martellus, who only grunted in response, his eyes fixed on Shay with a mix of love and worry.

As we moved down the hall, I remembered a decorative blade mounted above the hearth on a side hall, a few turns down. It had given off a vibe I didn't like when I first touched it—like it was waiting to be part of a story, one we didn't want told. Without a word, I excused myself and sprinted ahead of the group. My fingers wrapped around the hilt, and I felt that same odd shiver.

With a quick glance to ensure Shay could not see me or the blade, I pulled it from its ornamental prison and darted outside to the tower. Jamming it into the hidden slate rafters, I hoped it would be forgotten by time and fate alike.

I slipped back in, slightly damp from the light rain falling, but satisfied. No dark omen would fall upon our heads, and more importantly, Cassie was unperturbed, still smiling as she led the tour.

Later, as supper filled our bellies and conversation turned to the morrow's logistics, I leaned back in my chair, listening to their plans unfold.

So many ways they could go awry, I'd need to attend carefully to make sure they didn't so Cassie would be happy.

"Martellus, Hugh, and a few of the goblins will take care of escorting the guests through the portal to the guest houses," Cassie was saying, "And we've decided not to tell them exactly where they are going."

"Rey's out then?" I asked, glancing at him sidelong. "Too much potential for trouble?"

"Exactly," Cassie shot back with a firm nod. I swallowed a laugh.

"Trouble? As opposed to what, elves?" Rey snorted, his eyes dancing with mockery as he met my gaze.

"Definitely 'yes' on that," Cassie replied without missing a beat.

"Most of the guests are already tucked away in their rooms," I added casually, before turning to Shay with a mock-serious expression. "Shay, would you object much to your parents being eaten by dragons?"

They had been most irritating, trying to tell me I could become wealthy were I a model.

"Yes, Aiden," Shay said dryly, though her lips twitched in amusement. "They'd give the poor dragon indigestion."

Laughter echoed around the table, light and easy, but Martellus caught my eye, his silent gaze confirming that despite the jests, Shay's parents were off the menu. They needed to stay healthy and, more importantly, away from any real dragons.

Pity.

The meal wound down, and the clatter of cutlery faded into a comfortable hush. I rose to my feet and offered Cassie my arm, which she took with an ease that drew attention from Martellus and Bran.

There would be discussion behind closed doors this evening.

"Let's get you to your room," I murmured, guiding her toward the grand staircase.

Since we were first to leave, the castle's corridors were silent, save for the soft patter of our steps on the stone floors. At her door, Cassie turned to face me, the warmth of her hands still lingering on my arm as she released it.

"Thank you," she said, her smile like a beacon in the dimly lit hallway. Then, unexpectedly, she reached up on her toes and pressed her lips to mine, a kiss that held promises and whispered secrets.

"Will you come in?" Her voice was soft but confident.

"If you desire me to," I replied, my heart racing in anticipation.

I watched as Cassie's eyes danced with mirth and invitation—a glimpse of her I savored, knowing the shadows that often tried to claim her thoughts.

"I do," she assured me, her voice husky as she pushed the door open.

Inside her room, the air was scented with the light rose perfume she preferred. Pale moonlight spilled across the floor from the rare clear night, luminous, revealing and concealing. As Cassie closed the door behind us, sealing away the rest of the world, I was inspired.

First, it was important to arrange for good weather. And second, she'd have clothing that befit her for the wedding tomorrow.

"I'll have a gown for you," I found myself saying, "One as radiant as you are. It will shame the sun and humble the moon."

Her laughter filled the room, brighter than any star, and she shook her head, disbelief mingling with delight. "Aiden. It's fine. I have lots of clothes."

"Nothing good enough for you," I assured her, meaning every word.

Then, drawn together by the force of our emotions, we sought each other's embrace. The night deepened around us, kind shadows and darkness for love's mysteries. And for those hours, nothing else existed in my mind—just Cassie and I, and the promise of a love between elf and human.