“Come on now,” Gage said. “Killian wanted me to give you the tour and introduce you to everyone.”
“Fine. It’s not like I had other plans.”
“I detect a less-than-thrilled tone in your voice,” Maeve observed as I followed her out of the room. Sarah and Gage trailed behind us.
“I’m still technically a hostage. I mean, it is a very, very nice prison, which under other circumstances, would feel like a five-star resort. It’s just the principle of the matter.”
“Killian wants to keep you safe,” Gage said. “The minute you’re not under our protection, the Iron Claw pack will pounce.”
“Hi,” a cheery voice called out. “You must be Killian’s new mate.” A cheerful redhead with a spattering of freckles greeted us as we walked through the large common area.
“I must not,” I said gravely. “I really mustn’t.”
“Did you like the books I selected?” she asked eagerly, ignoring my protest.
My eyes widened. “Was that you? Yes, it was an amazing selection.”
She nodded. “You seem surprised.”
“You had so many books from the human realm! Brand-new bestsellers, even.”
“Yes, we love them here! Of course, there are books from writers all up and down the ley lines, too.”
Of course there were.
Samantha smiled helpfully. “Let me know if you want me to get you anything specific. You’re one of us now.”
She gave me a cheery wave and then headed off.
Gage and Maeve led me out to the front of the mansion maze, with Sarah following us. We went out through glass doors, and they led me around a very large green common area and showed me shops and buildings. There were farms in the distance, so apparently, they grew a lot of their own produce. Made sense. Part of the green fronted houses and part of it fronted a row of shops. A tavern, dress shop, men’s shop, shoe shop, tailor, produce stalls, the butcher. There were signs hanging in front of the stores shaped like what they sold—the shoe shop had a giant shoe, the butcher had a pink pig sign…It was like being in a medieval village, and it was charming.
As we walked, I was introduced to several dozen people whose names I promptly forgot because I’m not great with names. What shocked me to my core was how normal they were. Normal, nice, and so excited to meet me. Chubby-cheeked children, smiling mothers, grandparents, cheerful bearded men who eagerly shook my hand…treating me like royalty. And welcoming me.
After I greeted the last group, we kept moving along the pathway that circled the green. I had the sneaking suspicion of something going on behind my back.
I spun around to catch Maeve with a tape measure, which she quickly tried to hide behind her back.
“What on earth are you doing?”I demanded.
“Definitely not measuring you for a wedding dress.”
I threw my hands up to the heavens. “Whyyyy?” I shouted at the clouds.
“Well,” Maeve said, dropping to her knees and pressing a measuring tape up against my hip, “Because Gage can’t do it because Killian wouldn’t want him that close to you.”
“Not that! I mean, why are you assuming I’ll even be wearing a wedding dress?”
“Well, I’m assuming you’d want a wedding dress. You grew up among humans, so I’m thinking you want something traditional,” Maeve continued. “Although the pack would be fine if you want to go right for the claiming ceremony under the full moon. It’s usually the bride’s choice, so it’s all up to you, Daphne.”
I scowled at her. “My choice is to not have a ceremony at all. I’m not getting married anytime soon.”
“If she’s not getting married, can you measure me for a wedding dress?” Sarah piped up hopefully.
“How about if you agree not to roll your eyes or say anything snarky for twelve months, and then we’ll see?” Maeve smiled sweetly as she circled my waist with the tape measure.
“But that’s impossible!” Sarah howled.
“And yet, you think you’re mature enough to get married?”
