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Master Bow was the first one out of the house. “Wolven! Phillipa! Is that you?”
“Yes,” Phillipa answered, dismounting quickly from his body all too quickly. Her sudden absence was a shock to his system. “Wesley is hurt. He was shot.”
Master Bow gasped. “I was sick with worry once you left and he followed. I must say I am in a little bit of shock that you are back. What happened to your mother and her party? Are they well?”
Wesley growled, startling Master Bow.
“Oh,” Master Bow said.
Phillipa swallowed hard. “I assume they are. Wesley saved me, Master Bow. My mother meant to bring me to the Royal Hospital.”
He placed his hand on his light blue jacket, directly over his heart. “How duplicitous of her.”
“Wesley saved my life. If the Queen thinks poorly of his actions, you may have a chance to let her know that he acted with the utmost valor.”
“I shall, if given the chance.” Master Bow lowered his head and knotted his hands together. “I’m not sure I can allow you back into the Ball. If the Queen did indeed rescind Phillipa’s invite, Countess Stalbridge could be punished for allowing you to come back.”
Phillipa nodded. “I understand that she must obey the Queen’s wishes.”
Master Bow disappeared behind the heavy doors of the Hall. Wesley took her into his arms. “If we are not allowed to return to the Ball, we shall start our new life together.”
“Where?” They were only a day away from having to make that decision.
“Bournehurst,” he said. “My family home. Where we should have been all along. I will make sure you want for nothing.” He turned to Ainslee. “I owe your kin a great debt. I would like to repay them, but I am not sure how.”
“That is a very gracious gesture, wolven.” Ainslee had landed on Phillipa’s shoulder, and she could feel the little fae’s heart thrum. “I will speak with the elders. I must say, I am not sure they will accept your apology.”
Wesley nodded. “Of course.”
Ainslee jumped off Phillipa’s shoulder as the door to the Hall opened. The fae hid under her skirt just as Master Bow appeared with Countess Stalbridge, concern plain on her face. “I will say that I’m glad to see you. Dare I ask how you managed to convince Phillipa’s mother to allow her to return to the Ball?”
Phillipa recounted the story, including how her mother had tried to keep her from attending the Ball in the first place. How she’d pushed her to annul her marriage, so she could be promised to someone else.
The countess nodded. “I regretted letting her take you; however, if she is telling the truth, then I am putting myself, and all future Monsters Balls, in jeopardy. I will allow you to stay, but I ask that the two of you be discreet until I get word from the Queen.”
“Yes, we can most definitely do that.” Phillipa breathed a sigh of relief. “I appreciate your vote of confidence in both of us.”
“Falling in love with a monster isn’t easy. But it’s worth overcoming any obstacle.” The countess went back into the house.
Master Bow walked over to Wesley, gasping when he saw his back. “Wolven, you must let us dress that wound.”
“I’ll heal,” he grunted.
Master Bow shook his head. “Yes, you most certainly will, but there is no reason for you to suffer. We’ll get you cleaned up, in a brand new jacket, and you’ll be back at the party in no time if that is what you desire.”
“Master Bow is right,” Phillipa said. “I would very much like to wash this night off me.”
Wesley put his hands on her waist. It was a scandalous move, but he was done holding back when it came to his wife. “I would very much like to bathe you.”
Her cheeks reddened. “Wolven. That would not be discreet, as we just promised Countess Stalbridge we would be.”
“I have a better idea.” He leaned forward, brushing his snout against her cheek. “I shall claim you tonight, before the Queen’s verdict arrives. There will be no question in the eyes of the Crown, the sun, the moon, and the earth, that you belong to me.”
She pulled away from him, just enough so he could see the shock and desire in her eyes. “I have dreamed of this moment from the first time you made me yours, Wesley. I want nothing more than to be claimed.”
ChapterNineteen
Phillipa
