Page 187 of Dancing for the Minotaur

Turning around, she looked at her family.

“Well,” she asked, trying to sound casual even though her heart was pounding, “What do you think?”

Lucy’s hand flew to her mouth and her eyes filled with tears.

“Oh, honey. That’s it—that’s the one.”

“Mommy, you look so pretty!” Lisa exclaimed, jumping out of her chair.

Cody grinned.

“Mom, you look great.”

“Thank you, sweetheart.”

But Terra was already looking beyond them at Taurex.

The big Monstrum hadn’t moved. He stood exactly where he had been before, but something about him had changed completely.

His golden eyes were fixed on her, but he wasn’t smiling. In fact, he looked almost stricken.

Terra’s heart seemed to skip a beat.

“Well?” she asked softly.

Taurex rose from the chair he had eventually been persuaded to use and came toward her. Everything was quiet and the room seemed to disappear.

Terra became aware of Jenna quietly stepping farther away and Lucy putting one hand on Lisa’s shoulder to keep her from rushing onto the platform, but all Terra could really see was Taurex.

He stopped directly in front of her and even with Terra standing several inches above the floor on the display platform, he was still taller, forcing her to tip her head back to meet his gaze.

For several seconds he said nothing—just looked at her. Finally, Terra’s nerves got the better of her.

“Is…is it too much?” she asked.

“No.”

His voice was low and filled with some emotion she couldn’t name.

“Too fancy?” Terra raised her eyebrows.

“No.”

He shook his head.

“Then what?” she asked, wondering what in the world could be going through his head.

Taurex looked at her as though he was trying to memorize every detail.

“I think this dress is perfect,” he said at last. “And I think you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”

Terra’s heart began pounding.

“You…you do?” she asked, her voice coming out breathless.

“I do.”

Taurex nodded and then something in his expression broke.