6

Farley volunteered to take Lord Alfred and Prince Robin to Assjacket for lunch. With Zelda and Mac both in town today, he assured me they would be safe. He mentioned a sandwich shop with outdoor seating where a centaur with a rabbit companion would feel right at home. The porch was finished, so Paul and his mates offered to join them in their half-forms. There was safety in numbers, so I sent them off with well wishes.

Since I was confined to the inn's border, I decided this was a good time to head down to the basement. A very quiet Peace trailed along with me. At the last minute, I’d relented and grabbed the inn’s wand from the kitchen counter. My arms still hurt from shoveling, so I wasn’t about to move furniture by myself.

“It’s dark down here,” Peace said as we descended the stairs.

I nodded. “Yes, it is. This is my first time checking it out. I recall someone saying that vampire guests stayed down here. I might leave one room set up for dark-loving creatures, but the others need to have some daylight. Hopefully, Paul and his mates can put in some windows.”

Peace stood in the dark hallway and sighed. “This place is depressing.”

I opened the first door and found a dark room with no windows. Door number two featured a large transom window that revealed the interior of a rain grate at ground level. Some light filtered through from the grate area, but not much. It must be why there were no curtains.

“Let’s keep this one on the short list and hope for a better one,” I said.

The fairy princess sighed loudly. “I don’t like sleeping below the ground. Can I sleep in the horse stall next to Robin’s?”

A grin took over my mouth. “Sure. However, since you’re now a member of my staff, you would have to clean out the stall for yourself. Why don’t you just shrink yourself and sleep in Prince Robin’s luxurious mane? I doubt he would mind.”

Peace shook her head. “Lord Alfred would never allow such intimacy between us. He would think it was inappropriate of me to even ask.”

I glanced at her and saw disappointment in her expression. “I know he’s not quite three hundred years old yet, but Prince Robin seems plenty old enough to make his own decisions about such things. Forget Alfred. The two of you should do what you want.”

“Robin would never defy Lord Alfred. He has been a second father to him.”

A thought occurred to me. “Was there ever a Lord Alfred in your life?”

“No,” Peace said, hanging her fairy head. “I kept running away from my assigned guardians because I hated following their rules. Mother eventually took me in hand herself. She forced me to sit at her side until she began giving me assignments outside our kingdom. In hindsight, I would have experienced more freedom if I had not pushed my caregivers away. Lord Alfred does not interfere with Robin’s choices unless they involve me.”

I paused with my hand on door number three. “Is it because Robin is allegedly betrothed to you?”

“Yes,” Peace said softly. “Lord Alfred believes I will still choose Robin as my husband. He does not see my flaws or my unworthiness.”

Her sad tone made me look at her. “Hold on... why are you unworthy? You’re three hundred years old. Were you supposed to be abstaining this whole time?”

“Mother never asked that of me. She rarely agrees with my decision-making, but she finds no fault in the males I take to bed.”

I blinked in surprise, but managed to nod. “Good for her, then. I’m not condoning your sexual choice to sleep with my former almost-fiancée, but in general, I think women should be able to do what they feel is necessary for their well-being. Deciding to share your body with someone is a very personal decision.”

“Sleeping with Ethan felt like a seduction game. I wanted to prove I could enjoy being with him without giving him what he wanted. It was not a good reason to share myself.”

“What is a good reason? Isn’t that a personal decision? Farley’s family says he’s been waiting for me all his life because of a dream he had during puberty. He tells me he’s dated no one else. I want to be with him, but his chastity puts a lot of pressure on me.”

Peace bit her lip. “Do you worry that he will be disappointed and regret waiting?”

My laughter echoed down the hallway as I pushed open door number three. The room had multiple transoms along the top of one wall. It was the only bedroom that had light so far. “I think this one will work for you.”

“The room is fine, Selene. I would like to hear your answer. Why did you laugh?” Peace asked.

I smiled at her. “I laughed because my desire for Farley is stronger than my concerns that he’ll be disappointed. It also doesn’t hurt that he already kisses me better than anyone else ever has. Farley and I both agree we are destined to be together, no matter how many unexpected guests show up or how often Jezel tries to stop us.”

“Does she not think the bear is worthy?”

I shrugged. “Maybe Jezel thinks I’m not worthy to be with him. I’m a woman with experience. Why would I pretend to be a virgin? If his male ego is that fragile, we’re doomed before we start. I’m not ashamed of anything I’ve done. You shouldn’t be ashamed of yourself, either—not even of being with Ethan. He told me it was not the first time he was unfaithful. It was just the first time I caught him.”

“My situation is different. Robin is not a virgin.”

I braked in front of door number four. “Did he tell you that?”