whisked away
In the chilly night air, Tammy and I zigzagged between luxury cars rolling on and off the plaza, delivering royalty and other high-profile guests to the hotel.
I turned and waved at the kids. They sat outside Café Magnifique with Evan and Bethany, munching on their crèmes renversées while waiting for Evan’s parents. Quinn’s happy—if tired—smile as they waved back filled me with joy.
Kaia Blue’s visit had been everything they’d hoped for. Her larger-than-life online presence had worried me, but she’d been kind, patient, and very approachable, not just with Quinn. I had a feeling her video channel was about to become our number-one pick for family gatherings. Evan hadn’t stopped reading the signed poetry bundle she’d given Quinn.
“They’ll be fine,” Tammy said as she tugged at my sleeve. “Come on. I want to see what your boyfriend’s wearing.”
My heart skipped a beat. I hadn’t seen Adri since he’d introduced Kaia—and Crown Prince Frank—to us and disappeared into the hotel to change into the outfit she’d brought him. If it was anything like what his vibrant brother—”Just call me Frank”—wore, it was going to be jaw-droppinglygorgeous. More Regency-inspired than period-accurate, but Niren definitely knew how to wear skirts with style.
I tugged at my cravat. We’d rented our outfits from a theatrical costume store and dressed in the office after Kaia had left. Julian had thought theGentleman farmerlabel tagged to mine was hilarious. But the deep blue-green tailcoat, copper waistcoat, and dark brown pants had seemed like the most comfortable option, including the polished boots that went with them.
I’d nixed Ella’s suggestion to wear my apron with it, which had sent Jasper and Lucy into a fit of giggles behind the counter. These trousers fit me in all the right places and showed off my packer bulge nicely. Not that Ella needed to know that.
Earlier this week, the kids spent a whole afternoon making masks to go with our costumes. I put mine on. It looked and felt like worn patchwork leather.
We joined the line of chatting people through the lobby and into the ballroom. I nearly stopped right there in the doorway, gaping—but let Tammy lead me deeper into the room.
I was glad Adri had given me a private tour after his last shift at the Tech Hub. Well, more of a quick peek. He hadn’t turned on the chandeliers then; now they scattered geometric shapes across the walls and floor—what little of the floor I could see.
The quality of the finishes, the beauty of the restored arches, the paneling… No wonder Riley had been so impressed by Fred and Ted, the renovation crew. Despite the number of people present, and the elegantly dressed tables arranged along the perimeter, the quality of the work truly shone.
“Wow,” Tammy whispered, awe in her voice. “Remind me to ask what your boss charges for anniversaries. Papá would love this place.”
It would be perfect for her parents’ 50th next year. I made a mental note to ask Layla about staff discounts.
While Tammy admired the chandeliers, I scanned the room for Adri. It wasn’t until I’d waved at the fifth member of staff that the reality of our situation dawned on me. After all my exasperation with wayward baristas scoping out customers for hidden royalty—especially Daryl and Justice—somehow, we’d all been whisked away by a fairytale prince of our own.
Of course, that was the moment Adri entered the ballroom and took my breath away.
He glided effortlessly through the crowd, wearing an etched silver half-mask that did little to hide his identity.
“Breathe, Sam. Breathe.” Tammy rested a hand on my shoulder. “I just saw Bethany near the buffet, so I’m going to grab some food. Go get him.”
“Thanks,” I replied without taking my eyes off Adri. I planned to. As soon as I could move.
Standing in the middle of the room, I took my fill of him, my heart racing, and wished for a chair to appear before my legs turned to mush.
His floor-length skirt, shimmering layers of organza over silk, made him seem even taller. On top of that, he wore a fitted, sleeveless tailcoat-style bodice in midnight blue that hugged his slender frame.
Fuck, he was gorgeous.
As he floated nearer, the subtle brocade of the bodice revealed a circuitry pattern, drawing my gaze up to the high collar that dipped into aV. To that murmuring, fluttering spot that begged to be kissed. I licked my lips.
He stopped in front of me with bright eyes and a familiar hint of a smile. The lines beneath his skin were glowing, pulsing. “You are… sublime.”
His polyphonic voice wrapped around me as the room seemed to fade, leaving only him and me.
My cheeks grew hot. My mouth dry. Behind me, the dulcettones of violins swelled into a beautiful harmony that expressed my feelings better than words ever could. But I needed to say them. For him. For me. For us.
“You are…” Gorgeous didn’t seem enough. And he’d already calledmesublime. “Magnificent.” And so much more. “You are magnificent.”
His smile widened. “Will you dance with me?”
I let out a breath. That, at least, I could do. I offered him my hand. “Do you want to lead?”
He placed his hand in mine, then guided my other to his hip before resting his on my bicep. “I understand skirts flow better when being twirled.”
