Faery Wedding(7)

His ice-blue gaze flicked over them both. The familiar hint of contempt was in them as he looked her over, but warmed considerably as they reached Deverell.

“Good show, old chap.” He thrust a pudgy hand in Dev’s direction for a handshake. “Welcome to the family and all that. Damn glad you came along. We were worried we’d never get her married off. Thought she was batting for the other team at one point.”

Her father’s harsh words didn’t surprise her, and Ash was far too used to being the butt of her parent’s jokes for it to sting too much. Usually her family allowed it. Pack mentality, which ensured that they all turned on the ‘runt.’ What did surprise her, though, was Dev’s reaction.

He shook her father’s hand firmly, with a decidedly masculine shake, but then didn’t let go. Instead, he leaned in, power coiling around him and sending the witching into a frenzy. For an instant, she caught sight of his dragon armour as his anger cast scales over his skin.

“If you ever attempt to embarrass my wife like that again, De Silve, I’ll drag you through so much shit your family will be a laughing stock for years,” he promised in a cold, clipped voice. “Never forget I hold you and yours in the palm of my hand. Especially as you modified our original agreement.”

Her jaw dropped open, surprise running rampant through her veins, as her father went beet-red. Dev growled, an honest to goodness growl, as his hand all but crushed the older man’s.

“Well?”

De Silve looked at her, his eyes full of resentment and humiliation. “Lady Hunter, I beg your apologies, my comments were out of line.”

She didn’t know what to say. Not once in her entire life had her father apologized to her. She’d long ago developed a thick skin to cope with his and her mother’s caustic comments, which meant she had no defence against his apology. The floor underneath her feet yawed under her, and her heart pounded in her chest. Everyone was looking at her…

Dev’s hand squeezed around hers again; a gesture of support from a surprising ally. She treated her father to a cool look and inclined her head graciously.

“Apology accepted.” She thought about adding ‘Lord De Silve’ to the end, to further emphasise, as he had, that she was no longer part of his family. A moment’s debate later and she realized she couldn’t do it. Despite the fact she disliked him intensely, he was still her father, and it wasn’t in her nature to cause pain intentionally.

Her father didn’t hang around to chat. Not that she’d been expecting him to, not after Dev had shown him up and threatened him like that. If his attitude and greeting were anything to go by, her father obviously wanted to brush the uncomfortable truth that he’d sold his daughter to pay off the family debts under the carpet.

Of course, there were two sides to every story. Her father had sold her, yes, but Dev had also bought her. Had they haggled over the price, each trying to get the best deal? Just the thought made her want to kick her handsome groom. She turned to him and stalled. For some stupid reason, despite what they’d done earlier just yards from their guests, she felt shy talking to him.

“Thank you.” She finally settled on, shifting a closer to him to avoid the guests around them. “You didn’t have to do that.”

He still had hold of her hand, his thumb stroking idly over the back. His green-eyed gaze caught hers, and instead of the arrogance she’d seen earlier, she saw only understanding and support. Then it hit her. He was arrogant when he was unsure, or maybe nervous. Offering a small smile, she squeezed back. Although the idea of Dev being nervous was almost ludicrous, she was sure she was right.

“You’re welcome. And I did. You’re my wife now, Ash, and anyone who upsets you has me to deal with.” He smiled, which made her heart do a little flip-flop in her chest, and nodded to his father. Lord Hunter Sr. was currently ogling the deep cleavage of a female guest so closely Ash was surprised he didn’t fall into it nose first.

“I know what family can be like. Mind you…” His voice was low as he pulled her into his arms.

A thrill of awareness shot through her and her determination to be the perfect ice queen disappeared as though it had never been.

“Since he made the deal that brought you to me, I can forgive him a lot.”

She froze, her world turning on its axis for the second time that night.

“Wait. What? You didn’t demand a perfect faery princess?”

His expression was unreadable as he looked down at her. His arms tightened around her waist, pulling her snugly against his solid body. She let him. Despite all her anger and bravado earlier, being held by him felt good. Her body warmed and softened as need and its twin, longing, threaded through her veins and reminded her that they were married.