The Sovereign Heir (Book 1)

“Elaina, Munchkin, did you tell him yet?” My dad links me and them my mother. “Yes, Sweetheart, did you tell Nolan?” Of course my brother wouldn’t be here when I was being attack on two fronts. Such a little asshole for that, but it is not his fight, it’s mine. “That is what I plan to do this weekend, it’s better to do it here than at his mansion. You’ll be present to further explain it to him from Dad’s point of view along with grandpa.”

Hopefully, they back off for the rest of the night. They both left it alone. Nolan is getting ready, and I am in my parents suite getting my costume together. This year I am going as the wicked queen from snow white, but the TV show version from Once Upon A Time. That witch has style and badass leather pants. I created the crown with a little conjuring my Aunt Brigitte taught me.

“Sweetheart, you look perfect, your mate will love this! I love this!” My mother always knew how to give a compliment. Growing up, I was the odd ball out with my body shape, it was only when I had no other choice but to pose for my fashion line did I feel more comfortable outside of training, competitions and recitals. “Thank you, Mom, you look beautiful, always a different type of pixie. Don’t you want to try something a little different next year?” She thought about it a few seconds, “Nope, I love pixie’s and I’m sticking to it.” It was worth a try. Alexus is going to be a fairy godmother; Nolan still won’t tell me what he is going to be tonight.

All the ladies went to the grand hall entrance. Nikki with my brother, Maddox with Alexus, My parents and my godparents. I am waiting on Nolan, when suddenly someone taps my shoulder, “My Queen,” Nolan bows in my direction. He is wearing a top hat, voodoo style face paint, walking stick and a tailcoat suit reminiscent of NOLA on Halloween.

He is dressed like Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog! Nolan is perfect, dashing even, in his costume. I take his arm, and we enter the grand hall. Everyone is enjoying themselves, the older adults are playing cards, smoking cigars and having random conversations. The rest of us are dancing and playing games, Lennox graciously deejayed tonight while Lex and Rowan manage Ominous with Erica. My father came up to us and asks to take Nolan with him to sit with the other ranked male members. Poor thing, they are going to torture my baby. All I can do is watch my dad take him away.

“So, you two, how have you been getting along. I’m sure my daughter put you through some changes these past weeks.”

“Elaina has and I welcomed the challenge. It taught me a valuable lesson in patience and persistence.”

“We’re just surprised you weren’t screaming your way back to Canada, my Munchkin can be a handful.”

“He is telling the truth; my goddaughter was taking it easy on you. All bets had you bowing out.” Now I’m curious what they meant by that; they clearly know something I don’t.

“Mom, I need you to help get Nolan away from Dad, Uncle Ken and Uncle Reggie, please!”

“Say no more, Sweetheart, I got you covered.”

My mother goes to Lennox, putting a request for stepping music. “I need all line dancers and chi town step dancers on the dance floor, we are about to mash it up.” That is my cue to get Nolan away from them. My mother, a female delta I think took a liking to Uncle Reggie, Aunt Renee and myself take all the men from the table to get them up to dance.

We start the line dancing and then Lennox announces, “All steppers this is your time.” I was going to take Nolan with me off the floor, but instead he pulls me in and starts stepping. I guess I got some surprises too, I never knew he could step dance.

We left the dance floor before the men in my family could even think about starting up their shit again. My mother and Aunt Renee kept them occupied. After a few cocktails Nolan leads me outside the back of the great hall. I talk about a few of my antics while growing up and he reveals him spending time in Chicago when step dancing became popular in the 40’s and 50’s. My grandparents find us sitting near the great hall. They talk to Nolan and me for quite a while. We walk hand in hand back in saying our goodbyes to everyone.

I keep Nolan distracted from his sister; she needs this bit of privacy until she came clean. Ashton is with Donna, they both look miserable. Ashton kept glaring at us or should I say Nolan. I am too happy to be bothered to dip in his head tonight, I’ll save that for another time.

Ashton’s POV

How dare she flaunt him in my face like that. I am getting sick of Donna trying to get my attention the entire night. I can’t believe the moon goddess thought pairing me with this lowly delta is a good match. They must be smoking something to even think I would be with someone like her.

“Donna, enough already! Everyone knows you’re my damn mate. Don’t you have any friends or something you want to check on besides clinging to my arm?” Nikki is glaring at me, shaking her head. Donna looks upset and she will run back to my mother ratting me out. “Look, I’m sorry. I’m just stressed about my titl…I mean our titles, go get me a drink so I can try and relax.”

That perks her up and she ran off to the open bar. I don’t know what she sees in him? My parents told me to stay clear of her for the entire night. I hope they haven’t marked each other yet.

I’ll Be Around-CeeLo Green & Timbaland