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35

The Empress

Day 889 A.F.

“You’re acting like you’ll never see this again,” I said as Aric watched me feed Tee with his eyes aglow. “Or see us.” The dinner was in a couple of hours, and all day as the four Arcana here had cooked and cleaned, Aric had been a constant, welcome presence beside me.

We’d each taken turns babysitting Tee and put last-minute touches to the outfits we planned to wear. Earlier in the week, Circe, Lark, and I had “gone shopping” for formalwear among the many clothes in the attic.

Aric would choose one bespoke suit from a closetful of them, of course. Gloves would be his accessories.

He sat beside me on the bed and cast me a sad smile. “Am I?” He hadn’t denied it. “I suppose with the calls sounding, we should be ready for any eventuality.” As king of the airwaves, he’d attempted to communicate with Richter, Zara, and Matthew. But they hadn’t answered.

It was almost more unnerving that a psycho bully like Richter refused to reply, even when Aric had taunted him.

The Emperor and Fortune were up to something. . . .

When Tee drifted off at my breast, Aric murmured, “Good night, my son.”

I gave our baby a kiss, then used my vines to carry him to his crib. I asked Aric, “Are you ready for so many Arcana to descend on us?” For him to cast aside his misgivings and welcome our alliance here was huge.

“I’m looking forward to it. I haven’t hosted a gathering in ages.”

“We have some time before they arrive.” I reached for him. “And I know just how to spend it.”

He leaned down to slant his lips over mine. One heated kiss led to more, and as we quietly made love, his fingers entwined with mine, holding my hands and devastating my heart.

Afterward, I wanted only to remain in his arms and bask in bliss, but we still had a lot to do.

Aric pressed his lips against my hair, inhaling deeply. “Shall we make ready for our guests?”

I had to smile at my old-fashioned knight. “We shall. . . .”

When I emerged from the bathroom dressed for dinner, he awaited me in a crisp black suit. The tailored lines molded to his tall frame and honed muscles.

So sexy he almost got thrown back into the bed. He noted my avid attention, and color rose along his chiseled cheekbones. Then he took in my own appearance.

His lips parted, his amber eyes going starry. “My gods, you’re exquisite.”

I wore an emerald-green sheath dress that brought out the red strands in my hair and my necklace that Aric had given me.

A few weeks ago he’d placed one of Tee’s little curls inside the locket, along with a picture of himself. Aric hadn’t managed a full smile, but his eyes had been lively with humor, because he’d known we’d get a chuckle out of his very first selfie.

Voice a rasp, he said, “The idea that you are my wife is nigh fantastical to me.”

I grinned with pleasure, letting my gaze roam over him. “You polished up nice yourself.”

“Part of me wants to call this off and keep you in bed.” He took me in his arms.

I blinked up at him. “Tonight was your idea.”

“So it was.” He seemed to force himself to release me, but he kept my hand.

As we’d done again and again over these months, he and I gravitated toward the crib to behold our baby sleeping.

Earlier this morning, Tee and Aric had enjoyed a nonsensical babbling conversation, a true back-and-forth with delighted smiles from both of them. Aric had laughed, but then his brows had drawn together, and he’d simply brought Tee close for a long hug.

As if he’d sensed his father needed it, Tee hadn’t fussed. Just snuggled into the embrace.

I did believe we should give everything for Tee. But my everything was different from Aric’s. My sacrifice would be far from what my husband had in mind.

Forcing a bright smile, I said, “It’s time.”

“So it is.” He offered his arm and escorted me down the hall just as the grandfather clock struck seven. The castle’s Arcana had decided to share a drink just among ourselves, before the guys got here in thirty minutes.

Earlier, Aric had ventured down into the cellars, retrieving several bottles. I’d told him, “Thank you for sharing those with everyone. I’ll bet they were expensive.”

He’d indicated an older-looking bottle. “This is one of only three in the world.”

“I didn’t know you liked wine so much.”

“I don’t.” Grin. “I merely like fine things.”

My nobleman knight.

When my heels clicked along the tile floor, I said, “Lark’s animals are quiet.” Not a stray howl, chitter, or skitter to be heard.

“A polite gesture from Fauna,” he said approvingly.

In the foyer, we watched Circe float down the stairs, resplendent in a sleeveless royal-blue evening gown that highlighted her scales and fins. She’d put her own touches on the dress, raising the slit in the skirt a few inches and plunging the neckline.