Midnight Moonrising (Moonrising #2)(127)

"Get him on the bed!" Phoenix shouted, but it sounded like he used a megaphone to say it. I winced as my head throbbed.

Someone grabbed my hand, and I immediately jerked it away.

"Mena, we're trying to help you. You need to touch Ace."

I groaned, not wanting to believe this was real, but didn't object when my hand was lifted again. Cool fingers were linked with mine, and I felt a small tingling sensation in my hand and up my wrist, but not much else.

"Is it working, Mena? Are you feeling better?"

"A little. Not much," I muttered.

Someone huffed in exasperation, and then Phoenix started barking orders. "One of you stay. The rest of you get out of here. They need to be undressed. The more skin touching, the better."

"What?" I shouted through my thoughts.

"Andra…" Ace responded, weakly.

"What's happening to us, Ace?"

"It's the bond. I think it's pretty serious about us being together."

He chuckled. I didn't.

"This isn't funny, Ace!"

"I'm not trying to be. I'm only stating the obvious. Regardless of what you had planned before we bonded, there's a different plan for you now that we have. We're meant to be together, Andra. If you'll stop fighting it, you'll see it."

"We'll talk about it later."

"Is that a maybe we can have our fourth date now?"

"No. It's a 'we'll talk about it later'."

He chuckled again, but I wasn't happy. For one, Ace found this a wee bit more entertaining than I did. For another, Phoenix was trying to take my pajama bottoms off me. I assumed Ace was already naked, because I'd vaguely heard Phoenix telling someone to get out so he could take mine off me now. I was feeling a bit better, but I still didn't have the energy to open my eyes, so I didn't try.

"Mena, can you hear me?"

"Mmmhmm," I said.

"I'm going to roll you over on top of Ace until you two feel better."

I wanted to scream for him not to do it. I still didn't fully believe that Ace and I suddenly becoming ill was caused from us being separated for only a few hours. I mean, what kind of sick game was the universe playing on me?

Eventually I sighed, and used what little energy I had left to give him a nod.

"I kinda like you on top," Ace said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Can we try it this way for our fifth date?"

"There isn't going to be a fifth date. You had a life before me. Don't you want to try and figure out a way to reverse the bond?"

"I've never been happier, Andra, even though you're in love with someone else, so no, I don't want to reverse the bond. Besides, it has never been done."

"Just because something has never been done, doesn't mean it can't be done," I said, and felt his arms wrap around me.

"Bond or no bond," he whispered in my ear. "I'd still be yours." He kissed my cheek.

"Well," Phoenix said, "that didn't take long. Mena, are you able to get up? The celebration begins in less than two hours."

My eyes opened, and I stared into pretty greenish-gold ones.

"Don't fall in love with me, Ace."

"Too late."





Epilogue



Mena





After I showered, Lea helped me slip into my dress and did my hair and makeup. The dress was beautiful on me—floor-length, white chiffon and satin, neck-line low and the back… well, it plunged.

I was running late when I walked out of Phoenix's bathroom, but both Phoenix and Ace were standing in the room, dressed impeccably in tuxedos, and holding something in their hands.

"Wait!" Lea yelled. "Your shoes!"

She sat two clear glass high heels in front of me to step into. I frowned at her.

"Whose idea was it for me to wear glass slippers?"

She blushed. "Mine."

I rolled my eyes as she held me steady while I put them on. "Let's just hope my carriage doesn't turn into a pumpkin at midnight."

I glanced over my shoes and smoothed my dress with my hands. "Do I look okay?" Ace's mouth was open as he looked at me, nodding slowly. But Phoenix—Phoenix was rubbing his chin.

"Something's missing," Phoenix said, and then held out a light-blue, rectangular box wrapped in a white bow.

My alarmed eyes darted back up to his. "You got me Tiffany's?"

He smiled slyly. "Open it."

I ripped the ribbon off then opened the lid and gawked at the most luxurious diamond and blue topaz necklace I had ever laid eyes on.

After taking the necklace from the box, I stood still while he clasped it at the nape of my neck. I ran my fingers over the beautiful jewels. He leaned in and whispered by my ear. "The gems match my eyes, so everyone will know who your date is."

Ace cleared his throat, and Phoenix took a step back, so Ace could present me with his gift.


"He got you a sash," Phoenix whispered, and I gave him a stern look. He shrugged.

"I'm sure it's lovely," I said.

Ace's present wasn't wrapped. A fine scarlet fabric was laid over his arm. He bowed to me, and I curtsied. Ace draped the soft material over my left shoulder, and then pulled the two halves together at my right hip. After reaching in his pocket, he pulled out something colorful and shiny.