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“She lives in Chicago. It’s a long way from here.”
“Has anyone tried to bribe you to skip the wedding?” Drueline asked, her voice coming out sweeter than her words.
“Dru,” Isi hissed. She shot me a raised-brow look. “Sorry.”
“Excuse me?” I glared at Drueline. Growing up poor, I’d dealt with more than my share of mean girls. It sharpened my wits and taught me how to give whatever they dealt right back.
“I meant,” Drueline said, “Has anyone offered you gold coins to break off your engagement?”
“Why would anyone do that?” I asked. Rather bold of her. I peered around, but no one else seemed to be paying attention to our conversation.
“Because it’s clear you’re marrying Tylik for his wealth.” Drueline stared down at her glass as she swirled the liquid. “I could pay you a tidy sum if you’d like. Jewels like the ones you’re wearing. Heaps of coins. Spells you could activate whenever you wished.”
“I don’t want jewelry or spells or money.” I only wanted Tylik. A baby would be nice, but I’d want him even if he couldn’t give me a child.
“Everyone has their price,” she said.
“Dru,” Isi said in warning again. “Stop.”
“I’m almost done.” Drueline snarled at Isi.
“You can’t buy me off,” I said, rising.
Drueline stared down her nose at me. Damn elves were all so much taller. “Then why marry him?”
I brushed past her, giving her my own human version of a snarl. “Because he’s amazing. Get over it, sweetheart.”
Seyla caught my eye, and I nodded and tapped my ear; the signal we’d use when we were out and one of us was in trouble.
My friend left the minotaur without a word and scooted over to my side.
“Is Drueline being a pain in the ass? I overheard her whispering about you earlier. Should I stab her now or wait outside the bathroom the next time she uses it and hit her when she comes out?”
“What a nasty piece of work.” I explained what Drueline said, feeling bad for Tylik growing up with a woman like that around. It made me feel even closer to him.
It made me want to protect him.
“I’ll definitely hit her outside the bathroom, then,” Seyla said. She linked her arms on her chest and glared at Drueline.
“She’s not worth the jail time.”
Seyla wiggled her eyebrows. “You’re assuming I’ll get caught.”
I squeezed her arm. “Thanks for having my back.”
“Always.”
“I’m going to go find Tylik,” I said.
“I’ll keep mean girl occupied so she doesn’t follow.”
While Seyla started toward Drueline, I strode toward the foyer, only to run into Tylik as he entered the room.
He braced my arms and leaned over to kiss me. “Missed you.”
And just like that, everything was better.
“If everyone could move into the dining room,” Finni announced from the entrance to the other parlor. “Dinner is about to be served.”
