Page 75 of Night Meets the Elf Queen (The Elf Queen #4)

VALEEN

I nside Nerium Oleander, bewitched wind and string instruments provided enchanting music.

Aunt Evalyn’s human waitresses and cook had filled a table with the food they’d meant for the patrons that night.

All the tables that usually took up most of the room had been moved to the outside edges leaving space to dance and mingle.

Valeen wrapped her hand around Hel’s elbow, smiling with a full heart. She was married to him again. He was all hers and no one could deny it. She leaned close to his ear. “You look good tonight. Very sexy, Mr. Black.”

He smiled and gently took her earlobe between his teeth. “Thank you, Mrs. Black.”

“Oh, look, someone made special seats for us,” Valeen said, excitedly.

Aunt Evalyn nodded at her from behind the bar. She must have had her staff do this while they were outside.

“So we do.” Hel led her to a seat decorated with flowers and ribbons, labeled “bride” and beside it was its counterpart labeled “groom”.

They weren’t thrones or anything extravagant, but it was perfect, nonetheless.

Once she took the seat, Hel kissed the top of her hand.

A tingle started where his lips lingered on her skin, then his magic seemed to flow into her veins, heating her from the inside, sending a trill of desire rippling down her spine.

Her breath caught as he smiled, then she pulled her hand back. “What was that?”

“I was just letting you feel what I do for you.”

With a flush, she stared into his eyes. “That was… intense.”

“It is. But I have something for you before we sneak off. Wait here.” He tilted his head in the direction of the door, and Thane rose up from the chair he’d taken. The two of them met near the exit and left.

She raised a brow and couldn’t hold back her smile. What are you up to?

Be patient, he said back.

The mystery of what he might have in store had her feet bouncing.

Tif was stuffing her face full at the banquet table.

It struck her that Tif had claimed she was bringing a date, and she hadn’t seen anyone new yet.

Aunt Evalyn was sipping on a glass of whisky laughing at something Fennan said.

Leif, Piper, and Katana started at the dessert table while Presco filled his plate with meat and vegetables.

Aunt Evalyn was the first to notice her sitting alone and rushed over, even though she’d already hugged and cried as soon as she finished kissing Hel at the end of the ceremony. “I hope you like the party we put together on short notice. The chairs were Katana’s idea.”

“It’s all very lovely. Thank you.”

“Lovely?” she laughed, crinkling the skin around her eyes. “You’ve gotten so proper lately. You even sit taller, as if you know nothing in this world could challenge you.”

She smiled and winked. “There are not many things that can challenge me, Aunt Evalyn.”

“Well, despite what I said earlier, I’m happy if you are. I’ll do my best to get to know him rather than go off rumors.”

Valeen crossed one leg over the other and drummed her fingernails on the wooden armrests.

“I don’t want you to get it wrong, Hel has done terrible things.

I’m not going to tell you otherwise. But he has reasons, and it’s namely because of the group of people who’ve been hunting and killing us for two thousand years now. ”

“This council you spoke of. Will they come here?” She twisted the poison berry necklace out of habit.

“They will. They’ve already sent their assassins. More will come. If things get bad in the city and I ask you to leave, I want you to go back to Briar Hollow. You should be safe there.”

“I’m not one to run from a fight.”

“I know, but this will be worse than anything Palenor has ever seen. The pale ones are insignificant compared to the army the council could gather. I don’t ask much of you, but I would ask this.”

“Fine, if you tell me to go, I will.”

“Good.”

Katana approached her with a drink in each hand.

“That was so sweet. I could see the love radiating off you both. Your aura is more pink and purple tonight, even Hel has some pink. Ugh.” She did a dramatic dip backward of her head, pretending to faint.

“I’m rather jealous of such a love. It’s one of a kind.

” She pressed a glass into Valeen’s hand.

Katana’s ability to see auras was fascinating. She’d never met anyone else that could. “Thank you.” She took the drink and glanced at the front entrance. “Do you know what they’re doing?”

“I don’t have the faintest idea.”

Aunt Evalyn raised a fist at Leif behind the bar. “Hey! No one is allowed back there but me. I’ll see you later.” She hurried off just as Leif quickly poured himself a drink.

“I know what they’re doing!” Tif tottered over carrying a white frosted cupcake with a shimmer of lavender on top.

“How?”

“I know everything,” Tif said and bit into the cupcake. “One of the perks of being small is being able to sneak around and listen to conversations without anyone knowing. It’s a wonderful surprise. I wondered where he snuck off to the other day, but I got my answer. I keep track of everyone.”

Valeen crossed her arms. “Well, now I have to know.”

“You’ll find out in a few minutes. As hard as it is for me to keep my trap shut, I won’t be the one to ruin the surprise. I know you said this wedding was spontaneous but maybe only to you. I think Hel has had this secretly planned for a while now.”

Considering the gowns, flowers, and decor he’d managed to conjure up from the aether, Tif was right.

She turned around and waved at the food tables. At first, Valeen only saw the two-tiered vanilla poppy seed cake intended for the menu tonight, but caught a pair of tiny black boots poking out from under the white tablecloth.

“Tif, you actually brought someone?”

She stamped her foot then pointed at the ground beside her. The tablecloth lifted, then a small brown hat followed by a bushy copper beard and a pair of big eyes peeked out from under the linen. “He’s being shy. I told him not to worry about the jumbos at this party.”

“This is the date you decided to bring?” Valeen asked, smiling. The gnome boy pulled at his suspenders, snapped them against his chest, then winced.

“He is.” She grinned and licked her cupcake. “The gnome colony isn’t far from here if you know a quick hare to give you a ride.”

Talking to birds and riding on hares, her small lady’s maid kept surprising her. “You rode on the back of a hare?”

“Course. It’s not as fast as a bird but my date won’t ride birds. He thinks it’s scary.”

Katana and Valeen smiled at one another. “I remember when you wouldn’t come near any jumbos besides me, Tifapine.”

“He said he has liked me since we were fourteen. You reminded me of him earlier, he’s the very same one I threw mud at for trying to kiss me. But if he likes me, he should do what I ask.” She pointed at her side and stomped her boot.

Katana stooped down to her level. “Perhaps you should go take his hand and bring him over here. What is his name?”

“Tommy. Well, it’s Tombuckle but I call him Tommy.”

Katana stood and nudged Valeen’s shoulder. “Tommy and Tifapine,” she crooned. “That is the most adorable thing ever.”

“Yes, Tif, help him be brave. I’m sure it’s intimidating for him.”

She rolled her eyes. “Oh, fine.” A moment later she was dragging him across the wood floor.

He was about an inch taller than her and quite slender in comparison.

His crimson tunic had a couple brown and white striped patches, as did his matching pants.

His boots had holes as well. Tif once told her it was fashionable.

Valeen squatted down as they approached. His cheeks went bright red, and he took off his hat and fidgeted with it.

“Val, this is Tommy. We grew up in the same gnome colony. Mama always told me he was a ‘no good Dinglecopper’, but,” she turned and smiled at him, “he’s my friend anyway.”

“Hello, Tommy. How are you?”

“Quite well, thank you, your highness.” His voice came out squeaky and he immediately looked down.

“What’s a Dinglecopper?”

“That’s his last name. Mama had a feud with his mama a while back over the possession of some razzleberry patches.

They grow between our two gnome homes, you see.

Mama said they were more on our side and were ours.

His mama said they were theirs. I thought we should all share.

But gnomes are very particular about sharing food. ”

“Well, I’m glad you could come, Tommy. Feel free to eat, drink, and dance.”

Tif started dragging him along again. “Let’s eat some of that poppy seed cake and then dance. You do know how to dance, don’t you?”

“N-n-no, I don’t know how to dance.”

“Eh, you’ll have to figure it out then, Tommy. It’s not that hard.”

Valeen laughed quietly. “He’s going to have his hands full with her.”

“Definitely,” Katana agreed.

Piper and Leif made their way over. Leif was the first to wrap his arms around her and lift her off her feet. “I’m happy for you, Fightbringer, because you’re happy. It’s still a bit strange not seeing you with my High King but anyone can see how much you and Hel love each other.”

“Thank you for being here. I hope you’ll always be my friend.”

“Always, Fightbringer. I wish you nothing but happiness in the future.”

The next embrace came from Piper. Tonight, she smelled like brandy and her eyes were a bit glassy.

It was a rare sight to see Piper give in to drink.

As one of Thane’s personal guards she liked to stay alert.

It was good to see her relax. “I understand it better now, you and him. There is a past we weren’t there to witness, and I realize we also weren’t in Ryvengaard with you either.

I’m sorry for judging you so harshly before. I hope you forgive me.”

“Forgiven.” The truth was she never even needed an apology from Piper.