Deadly Attraction

“No,” he said, confused by her train of thought.

“Then I’ll be… Mrs. Darien?” Her brow crooked. “That’s sort of ridiculous, don’t you think?”

Surnames… Another human tradition—one he hadn’t considered. One he didn’t need to. “No. You’ll be the queen.”

“Formally, yes. But in reality, I’ll still be Jade Deville, since you don’t have a last name.” She seemed to find this an intriguing and pleasing notion, no doubt given her independent nature and the fact it kept her connected to her family name.

Who was he to argue?

“My love,” he said, exasperated by her constant passion for such things, yet wholly captivated and enthralled by her, “you will always be Jade Deville, the Demon Queen.” He kissed the top of her hand. “By royal decree.”

Tears sprang to her eyes, as if she knew precisely why he’d made that decision. “Well, who’s going to question that? After all… You are the king.”

He resisted the urge to snicker at her jibe when it came to those four words he’d adamantly reminded her of in the past.

“And you’ll be my wife?” he asked.

She nodded and smiled again as a few drops slid down her cheeks. “Forever and ever.”

He slipped the ring on her finger.

Chapter Seventeen

“This is damask,” Sheena announced as she whipped out a large swatch of white, patterned material from her oversized bag and slapped it on the desk in front of Jade at the library. More samples followed in lightning-quick speed. “Jacquard. Lace, obviously. Silk, organza, sheer, satin and, of course, taffeta.”

Lisette eyed the squares and said to Jade, “Taffeta was big in the ’80s. Many a bridesmaid cringed over cotton-candy pink dresses with puffy sleeves that required their own ZIP codes and bows that made their asses look twice as big.”

Jade’s brow lifted. “What’s cotton candy?”

“Doesn’t matter,” Sheena said between clenched teeth. “Taffeta’s out.” She flung the swatch over her shoulder.

To Lisette, Jade said, “Easy there. She’s from the ’80s.”

With exasperation in her tone, Sheena said, “Ladies, focus. We have less than a month to plan a wedding and create the dress of the century.”

Jade sighed. “I don’t want the dress of the century.” How many times had she explained this to the vampire? “All I want is one that fits properly, doesn’t have puffy sleeves that require their own ZIP code or make my ass look twice as big…and, most importantly, doesn’t take away from the Star of Nadia.”

She wore the necklace only on special occasions at the castle and sometimes at the cottage. But she certainly intended to wear it at her wedding. The pendant was a statement piece and Jade didn’t need an over-the-top dress to go with it or to detract from its shimmering brilliance.

“Think simple, Sheena. I know that’s difficult for you.”

Lord knew the vampire was already deep in disapproval. Jade had mentioned a white gown from the onset. But Sheena abhorred such a boring selection. If it were really up to her, she’d have Jade walking down the aisle in a flashy red evening gown. They’d finally agreed on classic white though. It was Jade’s wedd

ing, after all.

“Fine.” Sheena eyed the samples she’d laid out and said, “Damask and jacquard have more of an antiquated feel…from the king’s time.” She never called him Darien in front of anyone other than Jade.

“Hey now,” Jade quipped. “You’re calling my fiancé antiquated.”

“Jade,” Lisette chimed in with the girl talk. “He is two hundred and thirty-five years old and doesn’t believe in electricity.”

Not exactly facts she could deny. Yet she grimaced anyway. “Have you both forgotten that I’m the bride? Be nice to me and don’t give my groom grief.”

Lisette said, “I will concede that, for his age, he’s ridiculously handsome.”

“‘Ridiculously’?” Jade mused. “I like that. And indeed, he is.”

“Please.” Sheena rolled her eyes. “You’re talking about my boss.”