The Ice Diamond Cuff (Custodian Novel #4) Read online

  Her fathers took a step forward; she glanced at each one in turn. That's right, Faedra. You need to walk down the aisle to get to the other end. Faedra smiled at her private joke. As she did, Faen's lips curved, too, and Faedra felt her shoulders relax.

  On her way down the aisle, she took a moment to look around. The vicar was waiting patiently on the dias to perform the ceremony. She was hard pressed not to give him a little wave. And there was Carina and Anwynn, sitting with Todmus, Allora, and Alyssa. She returned their warm smiles. A little further down she saw Umor's royalty, Odin and Freja. Even Zaven wore a smile, especially when he glanced at Faedra's wrist and saw his gift there. It may have looked forced, but it was a smile, nonetheless. Faedra praised herself for her decision to wear it. As she made her way further down, she saw Faen's parents, along with the dragons, sitting on the front row.

  After what felt like an eternity, they finally reached the dias. Her dads let go of her, and as they stepped back, Faen stepped forward to take his rightful place by her side, for now and forever more.

  ***

  "Penny for them."

  Faedra looked up from where she was twiddling her wedding ring around her finger, lost in a private moment. Her eyes met those of her new Guardian, and a smile curved her lips. "Hmm?"

  "You were miles away. Where were you?" Jocelyn asked.

  Faedra leaned a little more into her husband's side. He was sitting next to her at the top table, talking with her dad, Henry. His arm was around her shoulders, pulling her to him. Even though he was deep in conversation with someone else, it was obvious that he didn't want to let go of his new bride. He gave Faedra a squeeze, turned and planted a kiss on the top of her head before turning back to continue his conversation.

  Faedra's eyes glazed over again. Jocelyn's question a whisper in her mind. Where was she? She was in heaven.

  She was coming to the end of what had been an exhausting day. She had married the most incredible man in all of the seven realms. After they said their vows in front of hundreds of guests, the newlyweds were driven around the city in a horse drawn carriage so that everyone could celebrate their union. The streets had been lined with thousands of fae of all shapes and sizes. Petals were tossed and good wishes were thrown about along the route. Faedra wondered if her hand would last the journey. She waved it the whole time.

  Upon their return to the castle, the great hall had been rearranged to seat the guests for a feast, the likes she'd never seen before. The room bustled with servants attending to everyone's needs. A constant flow of food and drinks came to the tables. After everyone had eaten their fill and the tables were cleared, they were pushed back to create a space for dancing. The minstrels had fired up the music, and drinking and merriment continued.

  On top of the first dance with her husband, Faedra had whirled, twirled and glided around the floor for two father-daughter dances. But it didn't end there. Etyran insisted on having a best man dance, Rowan wanted a dance with his new daughter-in-law and Draconis also insisted on having a dance. Not to be out done, Faen swirled her around the floor a few more times before she finally convinced him she needed to take a breather.

  "Oh, you've got it bad, girlie," a gruff voice interrupted her thoughts.

  Faedra brought her eyes back into focus to see Jocelyn and Etyran, who was looking over Jocelyn's shoulder, smirking at her. Yes, they were flat out smirking at her. "Just you wait til later," Etyran continued, waggling his eyebrows.

  "Etyran!" Jocelyn reprimanded as she turned and swatted him on the arm.

  "I'm just saying."

  Faedra giggled. She couldn't help it.

  "How dare you!" An angry voice resounded through the hall.

  Faedra felt Faen tense and sit up straight just as she, Etyran, and Jocelyn turned their heads in time to see Derian throw the contents of his goblet at Zaven who was standing by Derian's table. Zaven gave Umor's king a derisive glare. The contents of the goblet froze in midair before reaching the ambassador's face. The frozen liquid fell to the floor and shattered into thousands of tiny icicles that skittered across the polished stone.

  By this time, the dragons had pushed their chairs back and were standing. Jalia followed and laid a calming hand on her husband's arm. The minstrels stopped playing, the dancers stopped dancing and the great hall was plunged into an eerie silence as everyone turned their attention towards the dispute. The energy shifted rapidly. Faedra could almost hear the anxious breaths being drawn in and out of every guest's lungs.

  "Derian, please, leave it," Jalia pleaded. "He is just trying to goad you."

  "It's working!" Derian snarled.

  The dragons took a step towards the fracas with lethal synchronization.

  "Enough!"

  Faedra's eyes, and everyone else's, for that matter, turned just as her father -- the royal one -- stood and brought his fist down on the table. Plates and goblets bounced in protest.

  "This is my daughter's wedding," the king continued. "Zaven, Derian. Do I need remind you of the treaty you signed to be here?"

  The dragons stopped, and all eyes turned back to the disputing guests.

  The king's question hung in the air like a bad smell. Breathing halted and expectant faces watched the drama unfold. Faedra felt the tension ratchet up another notch.

  Zaven's gaze, glittering with malice, locked on the king's and held steady. He then inclined his head and bowed low, sweeping his arms out to the sides in a melodramatic gesture as he stepped back and away from Derian's table. A few more steps back, he stood, glared at Derian with untold evil in his eyes and whirled around before stomping out of the great hall.

  A collective sigh bounced off the walls. Faedra joined in, feeling relief as the tension faded.

  "Music, please," the king requested of the minstrels. They shuffled in their seats, adjusting their instruments. A heartbeat later, sweet melodies filled the air once more. The people who were standing stock-still on the dance floor started twirling around again while the dragons settled back down at their table.

  "What was all that about?" Jocelyn whispered to Faen, Faedra and Etyran who were all now huddled together at the table.

  Henry joined in the huddle. "Yeah. What was all that about?"

  "Don't worry, Dad. Their two realms have been feuding for years. It was probably something silly."

  "It didn't look silly to me," Henry continued. "Looked pretty darn serious. I don't trust that guy. He gives me the willies."

  Faedra looked at her friends and returned their tight smiles. They were all thinking the same thing her dad was, only they just weren't willing to say it out loud.

  Needing to find a distraction, Faedra turned her attention back to the party carrying on in full swing before her. For some unknown reason, her eyes were drawn to the dragon's table, and it wasn't for the eye-candy. She had plenty of that, and he was sitting right next to her. As if on cue, Alaris said something to Ignis, which garnered him a friendly slap on the shoulder. The blue dragon stood and wandered across the hall to where Alyssa was sitting alone staring, unseeing at the dancing couples. Upon his arrival, he put his fist up to his mouth, and she looked up. Faedra realized he must have cleared his throat to get her attention. Alaris gestured to the empty chair next to her. Alyssa nodded and Alaris sat. Not long after, a smile lit up Alyssa's face. Alaris stood up and offered her his hand. She took it, allowing him to guide her through the empty chairs and onto the dance floor.

  "What are you grinning about?" Etyran chirped.

  Faedra turned her grin on him. "Nothing."

  Etyran narrowed his eyes at her before looking out over the dance floor. His expression softened and a small curve hitched at his lips. Faedra felt his guilt ebb away, just as if it were being soaked into the floor beneath them.

  "Come on," Faedra said, grabbing her husband's hand and gesturing to Jocelyn and Etyran. "Let's go and dance. It won't be long before the night is over, and I want to enjoy every last minute."

  Faedra scooped up the sk
irt of her dress with her other hand and led Faen off the dais. Their two friends followed close behind. After sweeping around the dance floor to a couple of jaunty melodies, the music changed pace and everyone partnered up for one of the final dances of the evening. Faedra brought her arms up around Faen's neck, and he clasped his hands loosely around her waist. He leaned in and rubbed her nose with his. Faedra could feel his energy enfold around her. A blanket of happiness and love. So much love.

  "I'm glad the music slowed down," Faedra whispered. "I don't think my feet could have taken much more. You would have ended up carrying me to bed."

  Faen's energy shifted, catching Faedra by surprise. Her breath hitched as she soaked in his hooded gaze.

  "My beautiful wife, I have every intention of carrying you to bed whether your feet trouble you or not," Faen's husky voice permeated her brain. "In fact, I am done waiting." Faen scooped up his bride.

  Wide eyed, Faedra squeaked, "Faen, what are you doing?"

  "Taking my wife to bed."

  Faedra batted Faen on the arm. "Faen, put me down."

  He shot her a mischievous grin. "Say goodnight to your guests."

  Faedra's cheeks burned as the guests around her stopped their dancing and started staring. All with knowing smiles. "Faen, this is not funny. Put me down."

  A few 'whoops' and 'hollers' rang out across the hall. Probably from the dragon's table. Faedra put her hand over her eyes as Faen stepped around in a circle. "My friends, family, and distinguished guests, we bid you goodnight," he announced. Faedra felt herself get dipped as Faen executed a small bow to the gathering.

  More catcalling ensued.

  "Oh, God," Faedra groaned. Could she feel any more embarrassed?

  Goblets started banging on tables along with the whole hall erupting into a shameless raucous at her expense. She dared herself to look up at the top table. Her dad would surely be embarrassed for her, too. But, no. She gaped as she spied him banging his goblet on the table in time with her other dad, the king. Cheeky grins on both of their faces.

  Faedra shook her head and rolled her eyes. Accepting defeat, she stuck her hand in the air and waved at everyone. Cheers erupted around the great hall as Faen carried her towards the door.

  Faedra narrowed her eyes at her husband. "I'm going to get you for this," she warned, not very convincingly.

  Faen cast a glance down at her, a wry smile curving his lips. "Promises, promises."

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Faedra breathed a deep satisfying breath and stretched her arms above her head. She turned her face and found herself caught in the beautiful gaze of her husband who was lying beside her with his head propped up on his hand. Faedra soaked him in. She reached out her fingers and traced them over a softly defined eyebrow, pushing away some errant strands of sleep tousled blond hair that was partially covering one eye and lying across his cheek. Allowing her eyes to follow her movements, she tucked his hair behind his ear before letting the pads of her fingertips travel over his cheek, along the strong bridge of his nose and down to brush along the soft skin that covered his full lips. They parted just a fraction under her touch. The hitch in his breath forced her eyes back to meet his.

  Faen took hold of her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm.

  "How long have you been watching me sleep?" Faedra asked.

  Faen replied with a languid curve of his lips under her palm. He let go of her hand and grazed her cheek with his knuckles before leaning in to claim a kiss.

  Faedra brought her fingers up to caress his neck; it was all the encouragement needed. Faen wrapped his hands in Faedra's hair and positioned his face above hers. When he pulled away, Faedra's lips curved in a drowsy smile. "I could get used to waking up like this," she said.

  Faen looked down at his wife. "I think I can oblige," he murmured, his fingers gently stroking her cheeks. "You need to pick a surname for me," he said.

  Faedra scrunched her eyebrows at his sudden change of subject. "Sorry?"

  "We do not use surnames in this realm, but you do in yours. When we get married there, you need to be Mrs. something."

  "Good point," Faedra conceded. "That means I can choose any name I like?"

  Faen shrugged, "I guess."

  "That's going to be tough. There are so many to choose from."

  Faen smiled and dipped his head to kiss Faedra on the neck just below her ear.

  "I am sure..." he said before trailing kisses around to her throat, "...you will..." his lips danced on her skin around to her other ear, "...think of something."

  Faedra sighed. "Not with you doing that, I won't." Faedra saw his mischievous grin a split second before he planted it on her lips again.

  There was a knock at the door. Faen tensed and lifted his lips from Faedra's. They exchanged bewildered glances. "What time is it?" Faedra asked.

  "Day time," Faen answered.

  "Very helpful."

  Faen shot her a look that spoke volumes of how much he cared about what time it was.

  "Behave yourself," Faedra said as she turned her head towards the door, which opened her neck up to the marauder beside her. Faen took his chance and nibbled at her ear.

  "Who is it?" Faedra called in a strangled croak. "Stop that," she whispered to Faen. He refused. Faedra fidgeted. "Oh, God," she groaned.

  "Your Highness, it is Erin," a voice called from behind the closed door.

  "Erin, someone better be dying," Faedra replied, trying, but failing, to remove her husband's lips from her neck and deciding she didn't really mind them being there. She giggled. "Will you stop that for one moment?"

  Faen broke away from his ministrations and gave her a thoughtful look. "No," he said before continuing his onslaught.

  "Who are you? And what have you done with my stuffy Guardian?" Faedra asked between giggles.

  Faen brought his head up again. A wicked glint in his eyes. "Stuffy, you say? I'll show you stuffy."

  Faedra's eyes widened as Faen brought his hands down to her ribcage and commenced his attack.

  "No, Faen! Stop!" Faedra squealed between gasps of laughter.

  "Stuffy now, am I?" Faen asked, obvious glee in his voice.

  Faedra wriggled about on the bed, erupting into fits of giggles. She knew she could stop his onslaught with the merest slip of her self control, but she had never seen this gorgeous creature be so playful before, and she wanted to soak in the look on his face for as long as she could bear it.

  Another knock on the door. Faen ceased his attack and they both looked at the door.

  "See what you do to me?" Faedra asked. "I'd totally forgotten she was there."

  Faen gave a nonchalant hitch of one very muscular shoulder.

  The person behind the door cleared her throat. "My Lady?"

  "Yes, Erin."

  "Um, no one is dying, My Lady."

  Faedra closed her eyes and smiled at the seriousness of the voice coming from the other side of the door.

  "Well, that's good to know." Faedra peeled herself out from underneath where Faen was now straddling her and smoothed down her nightdress. She absorbed the chiseled muscle of Faen's chest one more time before saying with a cheeky grin, "I better let her in. Cover yourself up, I don't want the help ogling my husband."

  A wry curve tugged at the corner of his mouth. In the blink of an eye, a loose cotton tunic covered Faen's torso. He positioned himself behind his wife who was sitting crossed legged on the bed in amongst the disheveled bedding. Wrapping his arms loosely around her waist, he rested his chin on her shoulder.

  "Come in, Erin," Faedra called.

  The door opened slowly and the young maid peeked her head around the door. Her gaze dropped to the floor as soon as she saw the newlyweds still sitting on the bed dressed only in their nightclothes. Faedra she had seen many a time in her night clothes. Faen, not so much.

  "So," Faedra continued. "What is so urgent that you deem it necessary to disturb my husband and I the morning after our wedding night?"

  Erin
's cheeks flushed flame red, and she lowered her eyes again.

  "Begging your pardon, My Lady."

  Faedra could feel the young maid's embarrassment emanate around the room; she felt mean for speaking so abruptly. Faedra knew all too well it would not be Erin's decision to disturb them, she was just the messenger. But, Lord help her if she couldn't take out her frustration on someone. Couldn't she enjoy just one lazy morning in bed with her new husband before duty called? She inhaled a deep breath.

  "I'm sorry, Erin. That was mean of me. Please, tell me who sent you."

  The maid hesitated a moment before bringing her eyes up to meet with Faedra's again. She offered her mistress a small smile. "If you please, My Lady. Your father is requesting your presence." She skittered a glance to Faen before returning it to Faedra. "Both of you, My Lady."

  "And what could possibly be so important that he needs me at this moment?"

  "The Alsians. They will be arriving presently, and Ambassador Zaven requested the princess and her new prince be present when they arrive," Erin explained.

  Faedra narrowed her eyes. "Did he now?" She turned her head around and brought her palm to rest on Faen's cheek. "I thought we'd have a bit more of a honeymoon than this before duty called."

  Faen smiled. "The tournament will be over before you know it. Then we will have all the time in the world." He leaned in and planted a kiss on the tip of Faedra's nose.

  "Do you need my assistance with dressing, My Lady?" Erin asked, pulling Faedra's attention back to the young maid.

  "No, thanks, Erin. I'm sure my husband will be more than happy to help."

  Erin's cheeks turn scarlet once more.

  "Tell my father we will be down momentarily."

  Erin bobbed a quick curtsy before scuttling out of the door.