King of Pain - Tasha Black Page 0,33

good far and wide.

“I am,” she said. “I’m more than okay. I’m happy.”

She turned and he pressed a kiss to her lips.

“Get a room,” Miranda yelled up to them.

She was kidding, Jessica could tell by the smile in her voice.

But they pulled apart anyway to join Bron and Miranda as they headed back toward the mansion.

“You know we have a meeting with the board tomorrow afternoon,” Miranda told Cullen.

“Fine,” he said. “But I’m working at the soup kitchen at five and I won’t be late.”

“Okay, okay,” Miranda laughed.

“Cullen, I know you can’t cook. So what do you do at the soup kitchen?” Bron asked. “I hope you don’t try to make soup. Those poor people have been through enough.”

“Come on, I’ll tell you,” Cullen said, wrapping an arm around his shoulder. “You have to come with me one of these days.”

They headed off together.

Miranda turned to Jessica. “You know they love him at the soup kitchen, right?”

“You’ve helped him learn to be generous, Miranda,” Jessica said fondly.

“No, it’s not that,” Miranda said. “Well, I mean it’s a little bit of that. But mostly it’s just him. He learned everyone’s name. People just light up when they see him. They know he cares.”

“The King of Compassion,” Jessica said.

“It’s genuine,” Miranda told her. “Some people say, ‘Fake it ’til you make it.’ But he’s already there.”

“He’s so happy,” Jessica said, watching him laughing with his brother. “I’ve never seen him like this.”

“He’s a good guy,” Miranda said. “I think he just missed you.”

Jessica nodded.

“So what do you think Dorian did to surprise the party guests tonight?” Miranda asked.

“I have no idea, but I’m sure it’s going to be amazing,” Jessica laughed.

When Cullen insisted that they care for the magical creatures, Dorian realized that maybe he could mix things up for the fae in the midnight loop as well, to help break the monotony.

Each week he brought something fun for them to do. Last week he’d had the whole ballroom screaming with laughter as they bobbed for apples.

“What’s the plan today, Dorian?” Jessica called to him.

He smiled back at her. “Games,” he said, indicating the two huge duffels he carried.

“Wow,” Miranda said. “I can’t wait to see the Midnight Court playing Scrabble.”

“It’s never boring with these guys,” Jessica said.

“It’s good to be part of this world,” Miranda said thoughtfully. “Speaking of which, what are you doing with your time these days? No pressure, but when I told my parents you were a friend from work, it got me thinking. With Cullen back to oversee the finances, the foundation is growing again. If you ever feel like stopping in downtown, I’d love to see if there’s a pet project of yours we could work on together.”

“Really?” Jessica asked.

Tears sprang to her eyes in spite of her best efforts. She loved spending time with Miranda. The idea of working with her and Cullen at once was almost unimaginable. And if it gave her a chance to help others, it would truly be heaven.

“Of course,” Miranda said. “We’ll be unstoppable together.”

“That sounds great,” Jessica said.

“Miranda,” Bron roared from inside.

“Is everything okay?” Jessica asked, concerned.

“Oh, he just wants to dance,” Miranda said, rolling her eyes. “Cullen’s not the only one who gets impatient.”

“Well, go dance with him before he decides to start an evil corporation, too,” Jessica teased, arching a brow.

Miranda laughed and headed inside.

Jessica began to follow, then stopped and turned instead to face the garden.

From the shelter of the covered front porch, she could look out over the rose garden and the stone wall, and down into the woods beyond.

It was peaceful in spite of everything that had happened here.

She heard footsteps behind her and turned to find Cullen approaching, a strange expression on his handsome face.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hi,” she replied, trying to imagine what was wrong.

“Jessica, there’s something I want to say to you,” he said.

She nodded, waiting, trying not to think the worst. Things had been good - so good that she ought to have expected the other shoe to drop.

“I love you so much,” he said, kneeling before her. “I want to give you a mortal ring to go with the fae one on your hand.”

She gasped with pleasure as he held out a slender band of gold, formed in the shape of tiny vines, with a shimmering stone set at its center.

“Will you marry me?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said. “Yes, yes, yes!"

“Hey guys, come quick,” Tristan yelled, sticking his head out the door. “Dorian brought the game of Twister and the