United Eden by Nicole Williams

expectations, everything I wanted to give him?
    I swal owed, partly from the heat rising at the thought of it, but more from the terror of accepting how inadequate Id be. How would Wil iam wake up feeling the day after our Union when he discovered I was as satisfying as a yard tool? I nearly shuddered at the thought.
    You should see your face right now, Cora said. What I wouldnt give to know what is going on up in that odd duck mind of yours. She ceased swaying back and forth in Josephs arms to take a detailed look at me. But from the dilation of your eyes and that lovely crimson color spil ing al the way down your neck, I think Ive got a good idea what youre thinking about. A grin curled up one side of his mouth. Or fantasizing about.
    Cora, Wil iam warned, sounding more severe than hed likely intended.
    You dont need to protect her from me, Wil iam. Im on you guys side, remember? She attached a hand to her hip. Im just trying to get to the bottom of why Bryns not dancing on the tables right now.
    Wil iams body tensed up another notch, a spasm running down the val ey of his back. That was my snapping point. Cut me some slack, Cora. I scowled. A few hours ago I thought I was going to be Betrothed to . . .”I caught myself just in time”wel . . . given the Councils aptitude for upending my world, anyone else but Wil iam, I said, thankful for the recovery, until I felt Wil iams gaze heavy on me.
    You did? he asked, his voice quiet.
    I flinched at the joy Id just sucked out of him. I wasnt saying anything right, so maybe it was time I just sealed my mouth shut for the rest of the night until I had a few hours to calm myself down, get a four-year degree in Suzy Homemaker, and become the apprentice of a sex goddess. From my ability to pick up on these kinds of things, I should be ready to become Wil iams wife in a few decades.
    Cora laughed a couple notes when I went silent again, throwing me a you owe me look. Turning to Wil iams, she said, You real y expected someone like Bryn, who makes worrying an Olympic event, to suddenly believe everything was going to come up roses because the Council made you guys a roundabout promise?
    When Wil iam responded with a chuckle, the majority of tension flowing from his muscles, I knew I not only owed Cora, I owed her big time. Shed diffused in one sentence what would have taken me a few days.
    Abigail smiled over at me, sharing something of an empathetic look, like she not only knew the concerns running through my mind, but understood them. Its not about the venue or the veil, its about the vows you make to one another.
    I nodded my acknowledgement, letting Wil iam tuck me back to him. His chin pul ed my head against his neck and the concentrated sensations of having him this close”the beat of his heart against mine, the warmth pulsing from his body, the scent rol ing from his neck”calmed me into a state of near hypnosis. Where I was a master at setting a moment on fire, he was a master at extinguishing it.
    This partys coming to an end, Cora changed the subject, searching the half empty tent. After party at our place? she asked, excitement already bubbling to the surface at the thought.
    Were in, Nathanial answered instantly, running his fingers under his col ar. I cant get out of this thing soon enough.
    Need any help with that? Abigail murmured, running his hands up to his neck, loosing the bowtie.
    Nathanial didnt hesitate. Give us an hour, he said to Cora, already steering his wife towards the exit.
    Or two, Abigail lilted back.
    Cora snickered at the two of them, power walking through the tent, before answering Josephs hopeful expression without even looking. Dont get any thoughts, babe. Ive got an after party to prepare for. She was bouncing from the excitement of it.
    Joseph groaned. Its just the six of us, we dont need anything more elaborate than a good playlist and a slice of your red velvet cake to have a good time.
    Nice try, Cora said, spinning to Joseph. Youd think from