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Jade eyed her speculatively and then said, “You know, maybe you’d be less uptight about my wedding if you had one of your own to plan.”
Sheena’s green eyes narrowed on her. “And who do you propose I marry?”
“Are you kidding?” Jade scoffed. “There’s an entire castle full of vampires—the majority of which are extremely good-looking. And all of them drool a little when you walk by.” To Lisette, she said, “I’ve seen it.”
Appearing offended, Sheena said, “Vampires don’t drool.”
“Perhaps you’re not paying close enough attention.” Jade winked at her friend.
Ignoring the comment, Sheena continued to bustle about, waving fabric squares in Jade’s face. “Lace and satin can be too predictable when it comes to the simple dress patterns you have in mind. Organza tends to be stiff and not quite malleable enough. Sheer has possibilities, but you don’t want layers blowing in the breeze, since you insist on having your wedding outdoors. That leaves us with silk.”
All kidding aside, Jade glared at her friend for putting her through wedding-planning hell. “Why didn’t you just say upfront that’s what you want my dress to be made of?”
“Because it should be your decision.”
“But is it really?”
Sheena beamed. “No, not really.” She packed everything as quickly as she’d flung them forth. “Now, the king insisted I not try to sway you into having the ceremony in the castle’s courtyard and the reception inside.”
“Absolutely not,” Jade was quick to say, putting her foot down. “I want the entire village present and none of them would be comfortable at the castle, not even in the gardens. Plus… It’s too formal a setting and not at all my style.”
“You will be living there part-time,” Lisette reminded her.
“I know. But Darien understands I’m much happier at the cottage and in the village.”
Fear was no longer a factor. She’d been to the castle plenty of times since the engagement was officially announced, along with her immortal state. Since she’d earned the respect of Sheena, Morgan, Rafe and Landford, her credibility had increased.
Over the past two months, she’d gotten to know others at the castle and she was developing a good rapport with the demons, including the vampires in residence who, like Sheena, found some sort of personal satisfaction in proving they didn’t want to drink human blood. But the opulence of the castle was still overwhelming to her.
“Besides,” Jade continued, “the king has already chosen a spot for the wedding and reception, but he hasn’t told me where yet. He wants me to be surprised.”
“I have to admit,” Sheena said, “it’s nice to see this romantic side of him. He’s been a bit of an ogre for nearly nine years, pining for you.”
“That does have a surreal quality to it,” Jade said. “I’m really still in shock over everything that’s happened these past several months.”
“Well, you’d better get used to it,” the vampire said. “Because this is all happening. No backing out now.”
She scoffed. “As if I would.” Jade had no doubt her smile turned dreamy as she added, “I am very much in love.”
“And I’m happy for you.” Sheena gave her a quick hug. “Gotta run now.”
Lisette patted Jade on the shoulder, still not fully amenable to her marrying the Demon King but doing her best to support her friend.
“I’ve got to go as well,” Jade said. “Night patrol. I’ll walk out with you.”
They left Lisette at the library and traveled to the northern border together before going their separate ways. Jade made her rounds twice and returned to the castle before sunrise, passing Rafe and Landford in the forest at the base of the ridge. They informally, though respectfully, saluted her, and she found the gesture charming.
She moved quickly through the study and into the bedroom, stripping her clothes off along the way. Sheena had vacated the suites on the other side of the study and Jade used them now for her sitting and dressing rooms.
The vampire had moved into a different wing, out of earshot, Jade hoped. She liked that no one other than the guards at the entrance to their wing were allowed in the area, with the exception of Jocelyn and those instances when Darien’s assistant or general had business to address.
She slipped between the sheets and snuggled close to him from behind as he lay on his side. Her lips trailed over his warm skin and he stirred. She pressed her bare breasts to his back and dropped kisses along his broad shoulder as she inhaled his earthy scent. She was instantly aroused.
“Your skin’s cold,” he said in a sexy, sleepy tone.
“It rained in the middle of the night. I had Sheena’s cape with me, although the ends of my hair are damp.” She lightly nipped his neck as her breasts rubbed against the sinewy muscles of his back. “See? A hair dryer would come in handy at this moment.”
He grunted. He reached a powerful arm behind him and wrapped it around her waist. Dragging her forward, he pulled her over his hunky side. She twisted so she ended up on her back, her legs draped across his hip. She was tangled in the sheets but didn’t care as he embraced her tightly and kissed her deeply.
