Ashes(87)

"Not really."



"It will be fine." He kissed her. "Now, we need to be clear on a few things. At no point tonight will you be on your own. When it's time to work the room, I'll be with you. When you need to use the restrooms, Larkin will accompany you. It's not that any of us believe you're in danger from our lair – it's that we refuse to take any chances."



"I don't want to take chances either."



"Good." He stroked her stomach again. "I'll go begin the announcement. You know when to join me, don't you?"



"Don't worry; I haven't forgotten anything."



Let your anxiety go, baby. Don't let them see you nervous. 



She nodded and breathed away the tension in her spine.



"That's my girl." Knox released her and slipped out from behind the curtain. The murmurs and laughter died down as people spotted him, and all eyes turned his way as he crossed to the stand in the center of the dais, where a microphone waited.



His amplified voice came over the sound system as he spoke. "First of all, thank you all for making it here tonight. I'll begin by assuring you that this isn't a gathering to discuss the Horsemen or any issue within the lair. I've called you here because I have some good news to share." He paused for effect. "In approximately two months, there will be a new addition to the lair."



There was a rustle of fabric as the curtain opened and then Harper and Tanner stepped out. Tanner and Levi melted into the shadows while Harper crossed the space to Knox. In that dress, her bump wasn't at all obvious, but enough of the crowd caught his meaning to study her closely. Then applause and cheers rang throughout the room.



"It isn't something you need to keep secret," Knox told them when the applause faded. "But news travels fast among our kind, and we wanted you all to hear it first."



A waiter stepped up onto the dais and handed Knox two glasses. One was filled with champagne and the other with water, at Knox's earlier request. He gave Harper her glass and they both then raised them to the crowd, who raised theirs right back.



Knox clinked his glass against Harper's, and they both sipped at their drinks. "Now we mingle," he said. "Just a couple of hours; then we can leave."



Bracing herself, Harper inhaled deeply. The scents of perfume, cologne, fresh flowers, and scented candles washed over her, making her nose wrinkle. "Let's get it over with." Her low heels clicked along the glossy hardwood floor as she walked off the dais. People immediately came forward, faces beaming.



"Congratulations!" one of them fairly sang.



Harper returned the smile. "Thanks."



The two words were repeated over and over as a continuous flow of people passed on their best wishes. Harper's face soon began to ache from smiling. As Knox charmed them all, Harper mostly just sipped from her glass. She had to admit, her mind occasionally drifted, especially when any of them tried chatting business. Hell, even watching champagne bubbles rise in the flutes was more entertaining than that at times.



Of course, the boredom was often alleviated by those people who – just as she'd predicted – had some "advice" to impart. Some were nice about it and seemed to mean well. Others spoke with a smugly omniscient voice that grated on her nerves and pissed off her demon. By the sheer force of her will, Harper had held her smile in place and accepted their wisdom with a nod.



As he'd promised, Tanner stepped in when it became too awkward. Thankfully, no one tried touching her stomach, because she wouldn't have been able to bite back any snarky remarks if they had.



The whole thing might have been easier if it wasn't so damn hot. Knox must have sensed that it was getting too much, because he moved her to stand directly beneath one of the ceiling fans. She gave him a grateful smile …  and then people once more appeared at their side. Again, Harper mostly stayed silent and just sipped from her glass.



"Here," said Larkin. She exchanged Harper's nearly empty glass of water for another. The ice cubes tinkled against the deliciously cold champagne flute.


      ///
       
         
       
        



Harper eagerly sipped from it, and a cube of ice bumped her lip. "You're a gem."



The harpy smiled. "And you're doing well, considering you're probably screaming inside your head."



Harper couldn't deny it. If it hadn't been for the reassuring pressure of Knox's warm hands, she would have undoubtedly snapped at someone by now. If his fingers weren't splayed on her back, they were cupping her elbow or massaging her nape. Sometimes he kept his arm curled around her waist, as if suspecting that she wanted to bolt – which she did. He also laid the occasional soothing kiss on her temple, palm, hair, or wrist.