Accidental Surrogate

Reception Ella Cora and Roger’s reception goes late into the night, which is just fine by me because for the first time this week? Sinclair and I haven’t been the focus of the attention, and we just get to party.

I mean, that’s not completely true. We’re still the King and the Queen of our nation and we can’t ignore our duties entirely. But it’s much, much easier when Cora and Roger are the ones who work their way around the room, greeting all of their guests and thanking them for their attendance.

I smile as I sip at my soda during a break in the dancing, watching as Roger holds Cora close to his side as they chat to some people I don’t know old friends of Cora’s from med school, I think.

“He hasn’t kept his hands off her all night,” Sinclair says, laughing a little. I grin up at him. “Look who’s talking,” I say, glancing down at his own arm wrapped firmly around me.

“What can I say,” he murmurs, grinning down at me. “You’re very touchable.” Rafe, resting sleepily against my chest, gives a little squeak that makes us laugh.

“Don’t worry, baby,” Sinclair says, lowering his head to kiss Rafe’s soft hair.

“You’re very cute too, I haven’t forgotten.” Rafe grumbles a little but relaxes, his eyes drifting closed against me.

“I don’t think he’s going to make it much longer,” I say with a sigh, considering my little baby. “Do you think the party will miss me too much if I bow out early?” “The party will miss its most beautiful guest, surely,” Sinclair says, and I roll my eyes a little at his flattery, “but I’m sure everyone will forgive. And Cora will be jealous.” “Nah,” I say, eyeing my sister across the room. She hasn’t stopped smiling since we walked down the aisle. “She’s having a good time – like I knew she would.

a fuss until she gets it, and then she’s pleased.” “She’s lucky to have you,” Sinclair says. We relax for

ask, peering up

moment earlier in the day when he came to say hello and to congratulate Cora, but he’s the only Atalaxian that I can even begin

from foreign nations were invited to the ceremony and the reception in full. But earlier, when

to stand on my tiptoes

is indeed,” Sinclair murmurs, clearly as unhappy about it as I am. Xander hasn’t tried to talk to us tonight hasn’t even attempted to give his congratulations – which is

feel a little worry twisting inside me. I glance at my mate, wondering if it’s

from that corner of the room and my stomach

almost running, and Rafe wakes up against me with an upset little squeal. I send calm thoughts down the bond to him to

large group of people. My mate keeps his hand around mine though I stand a

see the problem, and I am not at all

several Atalaxian men, looking chic if rigid in their tuxedos, bristle as they frown at a human woman with her twin daughters pressed tight against her side. The woman looks worriedly around at all of

sorry,” she says, her voice clearly upset and confused. “We – the girls were hoping to have more of the candy,” she says, looking up at Sinclair and trying to explain, clearly thinking herself in trouble. She gestures towards the little individually wrapped bars of peppermint bark – Cora’s favorite -that we left at each guest’s seat as part of their party

looking down at the woman and her children with clear disdain, “even speak to me, let alone beg of me a favor My mouth drops open completely in my shock