Glamoured (Shadow Beast Shifters Book 6)

I wasted ten minutes just racing through the room, running my hands over the clothes and picking up every pair of shoes. Len had thought of everything, from casual to formal, matching underwear, and even swimwear. I had no idea where they swam in this world of floating lands, but I hoped I’d be here long enough to find out.

Not knowing how formal the dinner was tonight, I ended up choosing a simple black dress, strapless and corseted at the back. It was dressed up with lace details along the skirt, which was shorter in the front and longer down the back, skating across the floor as I walked.

After hanging the dress on the bathroom door, I hurried to the mirror, dressed in a strapless bra and matching black panties. Pulling open all the drawers, I had fun using the full range of beauty products provided, including kohl on my eyes, mascara to lengthen my lashes, and a pop of pink on both cheeks. I also darkened my lips to a ruby red for another color break in the black ensemble.

The red brought out the red tones in my hair, and when I slipped into the dress, holding the corset against my chest, I was satisfied with how I looked. I’d left a slight curl to my long, dark hair, and the makeup made my eyes wider and greener. The black of the dress had my skin looking bronzer, giving me a glow-up that I hadn’t seen for years.

This polished mask was going to come in handy when I was fed to the royals tonight. I had no idea what to expect, but if this was anything like the books I read, it could end up a bloodbath. The outsider trying to steal the prince was a tale as old as time.

His mother would probably have me hanged at dawn.

“Sam,” Len called from the bedroom.

“In here,” I replied, leaving the bathroom. “Could you help me lace up the corset at the back.”

I’d been looking at my feet, trying to walk awkwardly in heels while holding the front of the dress, so I missed his initial reaction. It wasn’t until the silence extended and I lifted my gaze briefly, that I noticed the stunned look he wore. Tabitha was in his arms, but he appeared to have forgotten she was there as he watched me.

Heat slid into my gut at the hunger in his gaze. Len was no shifter, but he held some alpha characteristics, which had my beast lifting her head. She’d been quiet since we went to Faerie, and I hoped to have a chance to run her soon. It wasn’t a necessity though, since the ability to keep her contained was another one of my shifter quirks. Maybe there was a chance that Len might consider running with me. A little predator and prey moment. The thought of such primal play was enough to have my legs weak, while my panties had officially drowned.

Slick heat filled my center as I moved closer to Len, noticing that he wore a dark suit. It fitted his tall frame flawlessly, the silver shirt a perfect contrast.

He looked like a god.

“You look fucking stunning,” he rumbled.

“As do you,” I breathed. “Thank you for the clothes and toiletries. It’s so much more than I ever expected, and I’m grateful.”

He relaxed, the predator fading from his gaze as he gently placed Tabby in the center of the bed. Her clothes were changed too, but before I could catch more than a flash of purple, he was standing right before me, blocking my view of anything else. Even with heels adding four or five inches to my height, I still had to crane my neck to meet his gaze. “You needed help with your dress?” he said softly.

My dress? What was he talking about?

The only help I needed was a fae prince tearing it from my body.

“The corset?” he prompted, a twinkle in his eyes.

Ohhhh, right.

“Yes, please,” I managed to say without embarrassing myself further.

Turning to give him my back, smooth strokes caressed my skin as he moved the dress into place. He took his time, tugging at each strap of the lace, pulling it tight against my body, and with each pull I felt a corresponding one in my gut. Followed by a flutter in my damn pussy.

This fae was our destruction.

A beautiful destruction.

“You don’t need to thank me,” Len said after a few deliciously tortuous moments of strapping me into my dress. He leaned down, breath brushing across my bare shoulder as his mouth caressed the edge of my ear. “You’ve already given me everything.”

My stomach was swirling—my head too—as I fought for composure.

Another scrape of his skin against mine, tingling energy and ice between us as he added, “I’m going to enjoy unstrapping you later,” he murmured, and I had to squeeze my thighs together.

“Awfully presumptuous of you, Winter,” I managed breathlessly.

“Hopeful,” he replied, before he released me from his hold. “Are you ready to go?”

I was ready to come, if that throbbing ache in my center was any indication.

“Yep, sure. All ready.”

Somehow, I pushed down my arousal, taking a few deep breaths before I turned. Len picked Tabitha up once more, and I could see her full outfit. She wore a purple dress, with a matching coverup over her diaper.

“You got clothes for Tabby too?” I asked, teetering forward on my heels to see her better. “And new diapers?”

Len chuckled. “No, not a diaper. You’ve probably noticed that she hasn’t needed any such item up until now.”

“I did, but thought it was to do with her lack of development.”

He shook his head. “As I said earlier, we don’t really create waste. Fae use every part of what we consume.”

Okay, sure. That made sense, but also, “There’s a toilet in the bathroom.”

I’d used it already, and it worked just like back home.

Len nodded. “Yes, there are multiple bathrooms in my house. They’re here for when my family from other worlds visit.”

Ah, right. That made sense. “It’s looking less likely that I’m fae,” I said with a sad shrug. “I use the bathroom. I need to eat. I’m not following the characteristics.”

“That’s not necessarily true,” he said quickly. “We won’t know the truth until we lift the glamour. And either way, it doesn’t matter to me.”

He said it so matter of fact, leaving no doubt to the truth of it. “Let’s head out,” he said. “Tabitha ate already, but she might want more from the party.”

My new excitement at her development washed away all other thoughts. “I couldn’t be happier that she’s eating and growing so well.”

He nodded. “She also bathed in the crystals’ energy.” He paused. “And she called me Dada.” There was a ring of pride in his tone. “Who knew such a tiny being could own my heart so thoroughly.”

I understood completely. “We’re blessed.”

He reached out and brushed a hand across my cheek. The unexpected touch had butterflies dancing in my stomach. “You changed my life in a split second. I will owe you for eternity.”

I’d take eternity with him.

“You owe me nothing,” I managed to say. “We’re in this together.”

A concept that finally felt real.

It was time to leave after that, as Len led us from the bedroom and into the hall before we ventured back down the stairs to the entry way. Nerves kicked in as we exited. This was like the first day in a new pack but a million times worse. Shifters, at least, I understood. I knew the rules. Faerie and fae were a whole other ballgame, and I was walking into this event with no knowledge or skills to help me fit in.

Except for the Silver Lands prince at my side.

Hopefully, that was all I’d need for the royals to at worst ignore me, and at best be polite.

Len led me back across the bridge to his house and we headed toward the courtyard. I could hear the chatter of voices before any fae came into view, and when we stepped past the first pillars I choked down more nerves. There were at least a hundred gorgeous, glamourous, supernatural beings in the space, dressed in long gowns and suits.

Just as I was practicing some deep breathing exercises, a familiar blond fae popped up in front of us. “Lady, you have destroyed my heart and my—”

Len let out a low rumble. “If you value your life, Tyrin, you won’t finish that sentence.”

Tyrin held both hands up, looking almost as godlike as his best friend in a tailored black suit. He wore a long silver duster jacket, as did many of the fae males around us, adding to their otherworldly façade. But tonight Len was minus his jacket. He didn’t need it to be otherworldly.

“Everyone is curious about why you called this last-minute event,” Tyrin said conversationally, lifting a drink from a nearby tray and taking a sip. The contents were a very pale pink, visible through the crystal sides. “You should hurry and put them out of their misery. No one will get drunk until you do, and I need a night to forget my woes.”

Len slapped a hand on his shoulder and I saw the brief squeeze. “It’ll be okay, brother. No matter what happens, we’ll ensure your happiness. The walk to find a mate isn’t infallible, as we’ve just discovered. There’s always hope.”

I didn’t know Tyrin’s story, and I didn’t understand Faerie culture regarding this “mate walk,” but I did recognize and empathize with his loneliness. I especially loved the way Len offered his friend comfort and assurance. A sign of true brotherhood. Well, that, and the constant ribbing.

Len handed Tabitha to me. “Hold her for me, little Storm. I’m going to do our introduction and ensure you are treated as a princess in the Silver Lands.”

Wait, what? That wasn’t at all what I wanted. I was willing to take the introduction to his court so I’d remain safe—mostly for Tabitha’s sake—but I wasn’t a princess. Introducing me as one was a surefire way to piss everyone here off. It hadn’t escaped my notice that we’d already drawn attention upon arrival, and even with Tyrin’s distraction, the vibe was more than curiosity.

“Winter!” I called after the stubborn fae, but he was already striding into the crowd. Fuck.

A low chuckle had me turning with exasperation to Tyrin. “Give up, gorgeous,” he said sipping his drink again. “Len is a powerhouse when it comes to protecting what’s his. You no longer walk your battles alone, and for that you should thank the gods.”

That gave me a moment’s pause. “I’m not a princess though. I’m not even fae.”

Tyrin leaned in closer, and I could smell the scent of his drink. It had a strong whiskey vibe, despite the pink color. “You are whatever the hell you want to be. Don’t let genetics dictate your happiness. Don’t let anything dictate it. You walk in there, head held high, and you show them why the fates chose you for their prince. Princesses might be born, but queens are made. So yes, you’re right. You’re no princess… you’re a damn queen.”

Well, okay, then. “I see why you two are best friends,” I managed to say.

His lips landed briefly on my cheek, and then he was striding away. “Remember my words, Samantha. You’re a queen.”

As he disappeared into the crowd, I tried to ignore the additional curious faces that had turned my way. It seemed they’d finally noticed the tiny fae in my arms.

Gasps rang out around us, along with the whispers.

“A fae child!”

“How is this possible?”

“Len held that child. I thought I was dreaming.”

It went on and on, and normally this would be my cue to get the hell out of here, but I was still channeling my inner queen. Tyrin was right. I was done allowing others to dictate my status in life any longer.

Fuck that, and the alpha it rode in on.

Striding forward, I headed for the prince. Len was about to announce my presence to his land, and I would be by his side. Living in the shadows was for the shifter god. Not for me.

Not any longer.

And one day very soon I wouldn’t need pep talks to remind me of my worth. I’d just feel it.

No one should ever accept the bottom of the barrel; we all had strengths beyond what we believed. We just had to be brave enough to take that first step.

Queen energy, here I come.