The men around us laughed as I joined in with them. Ristan settled down as he slipped into bodyguard mode.
“Okay, so first things first: it has been decided that the coronation will be more of a casual event than what has happened in the past. Ryder has decided to attend in Fae form rather than his Horde King form. He wants to send a message that this will be a very different rule than what Faery has experienced with the Horde King’s in the past. There will be a small feast that is really just for the Horde, no outsiders at this time. They will go on and on about who is who and then it is nothing more than a sit down formality. Ryder is going to have to be seated beside his intended future bride. No going all Witchy on her. It’s only for show, and he needs to act like the Horde King more than ever tonight, even though he will not be in that form. Then he will hear the challenges, not that they could take him. This is a formality as the Heirs are chosen by Danu. This is just a chance to air out past grievances so that the new monarch will better understand what was not liked about the old monarchy,” he snorted, “and there was a lot not to like, so this could take a while. Keep in mind that it will become an open house, so to say, so it won’t just be the Horde airing their grievances; it will be those from the other Castes, too. After the challenges will be the coronation where Danu’s high priest will come in and bless his reign, yadda, yadda, ceremony over, and then we can party. You are still to stay within his sight at all times, even with the precautions being taken tonight. We don’t know if your parents will be here, but Liam is already inside the castle. Just keep in mind that when this gets heated, that they can’t sway the outcome, but it’s going to give us a good idea of who is going to give Ryder the most trouble.”
“He isn’t going to fight Ryder, period. I’ll handle that part. Liam was abused here, but he seemed pretty damn stable when I was last with him.” I hoped.
“He has every right to challenge him. We’re getting off subject, though. You are being introduced tonight as well,” he said.
“I had a feeling about that,” I said as we entered the great hall through the wide doors.
“Good, because it’s show time,” he said as he took in the mass of people lining the walls. “This is a cluster fuck,” he said to Savlian, who nodded his head in agreement. “Formation. Z, you can let Ryder know she has been appraised of the niceties and she will be a good girl now.”
Zahruk rolled his eyes at Ristan’s flippancy. “Keep her close. Adrian and Vlad will be in right after you and will add another layer of security. Silas is sniffing out everyone in attendance tonight. Synthia, behave, please,” Zahruk said as his blue eyes searched mine, and then went to my bump. “And for the love of the Goddess, don’t do anything stupid.”
“Afraid you might have to stab me again?” I questioned with an impish smile spreading over my lips.
“Not quite; just don’t want to have to worry about you tonight. Plates full, Babe.” He smiled back as he turned and made his way to Ryder.
“Cue music,” I replied to Ristan, who scoffed but smiled all the same.
“Cue the Prozac; we should have brought some back with us for the Light King. He looks like he is about to explode with anticipation. He is assuming Ryder will accept the existing contract with him. Highly doubting it myself,” Ristan said with a devious smile now plastered to his face.
“Good. The guy is an asshole. He needs to go boom,” Adam said as his finger absently rubbed over my wrist.
“Oh shush, Adam; he was almost your father in-law,” I joked.
“That would have made him your father,” he countered and hit his mark.
“Yes, that would have sucked,” I replied as I turned to look at him.
Something touched my shoulder, and I turned to find Adrian and Vlad decked out in their Fae finery. Both wore crisp white linen shirts over their wide chests, and they also wore elegant crimson cloaks loosely clasped at their throats. It seemed like jeweled weaponry was the order of the evening as both Vlad and Adrian had elaborately jeweled swords in scabbards at their waists.
“Fancy Face, you look well,” Adrian said as his eyes slid down slowly to land on my abdomen. I briefly wondered if he was bothered by the small bump that announced my pregnancy. “Wow, pregnancy looks good on you.”
“Thanks,” I replied easily as I turned and hugged him quickly. “You look good.”
He smelled great, and his hair was a tinge darker than it had been last time I’d seen him. I had to admit, being a vampire made him look older and more handsome than he had when he’d been human.
“I’m part of your protection for tonight, which means that I can actually talk to you.”
“Funny boy,” I said as I turned back at Ristan’s urging.
It was time.