That was fine with me, and I’d spent time practicing in heels when I handled ghosts in that room. I’d actually done pretty well in them according to Lara and Trisha. They thought I might have had experience in them before my memories were wiped. It sounded weird I might remember that and not much else, but I also remembered how to get dressed and brush my teeth so, yeah, some skills were just there.
For a pop of color, they’d found me high heels that matched my deep green eyes. The heel was wide and they weren’t bad to walk in, so I didn’t care, even liking how they wrapped around my ankles in that sexy open toe look.
They had my now curly hair up in a flip, with curls pinned all over and a few hanging, showing off my neck and… Yeah, I didn’t get it. It was some status thing. I wasn’t sure others would either, but basically, I would leave my neck open like I wasn’t scared someone would go for my throat.
Uh-huh, sure, that wasn’t weird. So no princesses had short hair?
“It’s time,” Trisha said as we were wrapping up. “You got this, Inez. You look hot and just as posh as anyone else downstairs.”
I nodded, complimenting her as well. She looked sexy as fuck in the little black number she was wearing. All of my knights did. They were in black to be the yin of my yang in white. The male knights would be as well. Unity, yay.
We took the elevator down and I let out a slow breath before stepping off of it. We headed for the ballroom, and just as I walked in, I heard someone coughing, turning in time to see James thumping his chest as he stared at me, whatever he’d been drinking going down the wrong pipe it seemed.
“Smooth, Brother,” Trisha said under her breath. Oh, right, it was his reaction at seeing me.
Wow, that didn’t make me blush or anything, especially how hot he looked as well. He was wearing nice black slacks and matching dress shirt that he had open a few buttons… Like my other knights. He was saying loud and proud, he was mine. He nodded, showing me he was wearing the ring too, and my heart raced, wanting him as mine even if as my knight.
I smiled and let Lara lead me away to start greeting people.
Kristof’s eyes flashed shock when he saw me, walking right over and bowing. “My Princess, I take back everything I’ve said; that your beauty is only the wild and natural kind as you are also a truly elegant and refined beauty, unlike any princess I’ve ever seen before. It is my deepest honor that a princess of not only such beauty would accept me, but heart and intelligence that none can rival.”
I flushed from head to toe. That was one hell of a compliment, and he said it loud enough for everyone to hear.
His lips twitched when I cleared my throat and gave a quick nod, not knowing what else to do. He moved closer and offered me his arm. “Let me escort you to greet your guests, my fiancée.”
I slid my arm over his, taking in how he looked as well. Kristoff was maybe the most beautiful man I’d ever met. He was perfection, everything symmetrical and a living statue that everyone would try to emulate… And that was before I saw him dressed in nicer clothes. He was wearing gray slacks with a light mocha dress shirt that matched his eyes and really looked sexy as all fuck.
And he wanted to marry me. Holy shit, I really did need to quit my bitching.
“Angels are officially jealous of you, love,” Cerdic murmured as he moved up next to me on the other side. “You are breathtaking, My Princess.”
I went to thank him and about swallowed my tongue. He looked ridiculously hot also. His curls were gelled into behaving, his goatee perfectly trimmed, and his eyes swirling with heat. He was wearing gray slacks too, and an ocean blue shirt that matched the shade of blue most in his amazing eyes. He offered me his arm and I took it, feeling weird walking that way.
He seemed to realize that and change it up so his arm was around my waist while I held Kristof’s arm. Not as awkward, but it didn’t help me relax as they were sending my hormones into overdrive.
We started with Princess Leonor from Porto, Portugal, who had been a big help to get all the alliances going and everyone behaving. She went first, after the covens I had ties to because of Jaxon and Cerdic and that had made all of the difference.
“You look stunning, the bright light all eyes see in the middle of such dark times to help us find hope,” she greeted, Cerdic translating for her. “I thank you for inviting me and for all the extras you have included for my coven.”
“Thank you for coming all this way to celebrate with us,” I replied, having been briefed on certain things to say and how to phrase the pleasantries right. I didn’t get why that was important given how we’d all met, but everyone was firm on it, especially because of how we’d met.
A second chance at a first impression? More like showing there was more to me than they’d seen.
“And the extras were more than deserved,” I added for the ears around us. “Those you sent have been incredibly diligent and dedicated to help many.” I dipped my head to her and went to move on, flinching slightly as I realized something.
“Don’t react,” Kristof breathed in my ear. “We’ll explain in a bit but people are waiting to see how you handle this. Giggle and say something extra possessive. Please, trust me.”
I giggled,
