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I knew that emphasis—it meant Roman wanted Digger here, for whatever reason, and I’d play hell fighting the suggestion. I decided Roman and I really needed to have a talk, but now was not the time.
“Fine. Get back here. The rules: You follow Derrick’s lead. I don’t want to hear about any problems from you. Absolutely no drinking from any of the customers. I don’t allow any bloodwhoring in my bar. And keep your mitts off my waitresses’ tips.” I slipped on an apron and hopped over the counter. “I’ll help Chrysandra for now.”
Derrick motioned for Digger to step behind the counter and showed him where everything was. As I began taking orders, I took a closer look at the people who were hanging out in the bar. A wave of vamps, yes, but also FBHs. And then I saw fang marks on some of their necks. Oh crap, the vamps had brought their bloodwhores with them. Delightful. I absolutely refused to allow bloodsucking in my joint. I finished delivering my orders and told Derrick I’d be back in a minute.
I hightailed it to my office, where I wrote up a quick sign—I’d get a professional one made soon—that read, NO BLOODSUCKING ALLOWED ON PREMISES. VIOLATORS WILL BE DRAINED AND STAKED!
When I finished, I carried it out to a spot near the wall clock, levitated up, and quite loudly pounded a nail into the wall, then hung it up. Everyone turned to stare at me, which was what I’d wanted. They’d see the warning sign better if I made a racket and caught their attention.
As I lowered myself to the floor again, I caught several dirty looks cast my way, but I just returned them with a fangy smile. Everybody knew I wasn’t above staking my own kind. Hell, I’d staked my sire, a taboo among vamps, and now I was Roman’s official consort, so they’d better watch their step. It suddenly occurred to me that I could get away with one hell of a lot. Of course, I wouldn’t abuse the privilege, but…the fact might come in handy sometime.
The door opened and I turned to see Nerissa, wearing a long trench coat and heels. Shade escorted her in, then waved and headed back out the door.
I rushed over. “Is everything okay?” I pulled her into my arms, leaning up on my tiptoes to kiss her.
She wrapped her arms around me.
“Yeah. I just asked Shade to come down with me—he can drive my car home and I’ll ride with you. Camille and Morio told me about what went down tonight. I just needed to reassure myself that you were safe.”
Her voice was soft, her lips pressed close to my ear, and I caught a wave of her perfume and went weak in the knees.
“Come with me.” I led her back to my office and shut the door, leaning against it as I turned. “I’m so sorry we haven’t had much time together since I returned from Otherworld. Life’s in such a jumble.”
“Have you given any thought to our plans?” She dropped into a chair.
I sighed. I didn’t want to discuss wedding plans right now. I straddled her lap. “I haven’t had time. Why don’t you just plan what you want and I’ll be happy with whatever you choose for us?”
She let out an exasperated sigh. “I want us to plan it together. It feels like you don’t really care.” Pouting, she fluttered her lashes at me.
“Baby, it’s not that—you know that I care. I want us to have a lovely ceremony, but I’m not good at planning these things. Camille and Delilah helped Iris with her wedding. I just showed up in what they told me to wear.”
I stroked her hair back and kissed her lashes, trying to coax a smile out of her. When Nerissa was ticked, she could hold a grudge for days. And we’d already been through this five or six times already.
“Please don’t be mad at me.”
She ducked her head, then kissed my finger as I gently bopped her nose. “You just…I just want to think you’re as invested in this as I am.” As a tear slowly trickled down her cheek, I felt horrible.
“Sweetheart, you know how much I love you. If I could give up being Roman’s consort, I would. For you, I’d do anything.”
“Roman doesn’t bother me. What bothers me is that I want you to be part of this—not just show up. I want you to be part of my life.”
I cupped her chin and then slid into the chair beside her, taking her hands in mine. “Please, never think I don’t want this. You are part of my life.”
Nerissa shrugged, then sniffled. “Then why won’t you tell me…I don’t know. Can’t you even decide what you want to wear to our commitment ceremony?”
I sighed, then leaned back. I liked clothes but Nerissa and Camille did my shopping, for the most part. They had bonded over fashion and makeup. But one look at Nerissa’s tears told me it was time to step up, to actually make a decision.
“Okay, then.” I closed my eyes, trying to picture myself at the ceremony. After a moment, an image began to shimmer into my mind. “I guess…I can see myself in a long violet gown, with a white cloak, and I want a bouquet of white roses and purple lilies. I want silver sandals, and I want you by my side. I don’t care where we hold our ceremony, I don’t care who is there, except that you’re standing beside me to pledge your love.”
I looked at her, then slowly raised her finger to my lips and kissed her ring. We’d exchanged bands a few months back.
She smiled, then. “You’ll be so beautiful in that. My Menolly.”
“If you want me to, I’ll even wear my hair down for you.” I’d started taking it out of the braids now and then, but somehow, it made me feel too vulnerable and I was always uncomfortable till Camille cornrowed it back. “I know you love it that way.”
But Nerissa shook her head. “No. I’m pledging my heart to you…and Menolly, your braids are part of you. But maybe you can change the beads out for sparkling silver ones? That would be lovely. Or green?”
I snickered. “Camille will be only too happy to help.” Then, because I knew it mattered that I ask, I said, “What do you want to wear?”
