all right?” Sassy relaxed, but there was worry in her voice. “Should we call a doctor?”
“Her color returns and her heartbeat is strong.” Releasing Sassy, Grim deposited the unconscious woman on the couch. “Perhaps a cool cloth for her head would bring ease.”
“Of course,” Sassy said. “I should have thought of that.”
She bustled from the room, returning with a bowl and a small towel. Dampening the material, she bathed her mother’s face and the back of her neck with the cool cloth.
Eleanor Champion stirred and sat up. “What happened? Merciful heavens, I had a disturbing dream.” She saw Grim and groaned. “It was a dream, wasn’t it?”
“No, Mama,” Sassy said. “Grim and I are married.”
Mrs. Champion slumped against the pillows. “Ungrateful child. After all I’ve done for you.”
A door slammed and an older man with blond hair dusted with silver came into the room. He had the air of a successful merchant about him, shrewd but soft around the middle.
“The car looks fine, but it won’t start, Eleanor,” he said. “We’ll have to have it towed.”
Sassy smiled at the man. “Daddy Joel, I’d like you to meet my husband, Grim Dalvahni.”
“What’s that, Sassy Bug?” The human’s gaze skittered from Sassy to her mother. “Your husband?”
Grim stepped forward. “Well met, Mr. Champion. Be at ease. I will honor and care for your daughter so long as I draw breath.”
“Nice speech.” Champion shot his wife another uneasy look. “You okay with this, Eleanor?”
“Of course I’m not okay with it. She won’t listen to me. Maybe you can change her mind.”
“I won’t change my mind, Mama.” Sassy’s voice was firm. “I love you, but I won’t live for you. Not anymore.”
“Well.” Champion’s heartiness sounded forced. “She’s a happy little thing, our Sassy, but expensive. She’s for damn sure ruined my car.”
Grim produced his money pouch. “As to that, Mr. Champion, I wish to purchase Mea—er—the car from you.”
“No, no, no.” The man shook his head. “Can’t let you do that. The thing’s no good now. Water’s ruined the engine.”
Grim fixed the human with his gaze. “I insist.”
Champion’s face went slack. “Uh . . . guess that would be all right. Send me the money later.”
“Very well.” Grim gave Champion a curt bow. “It shall be as you wish.”
“Get your things together, Sassy, you and your new mister,” Champion said. “We’ll drive back to Fairhope in your mama’s car. I’ll book a reservation for dinner at the club tonight to celebrate your nuptials. You and—Jim, was it?”
“Grim,” Grim said. “Grimford Dalvahni.”
“Grim,” Champion repeated. “You and Grim will stay in the guest house until we find you something bigger. Your starter house is on me—wedding present.”
Mrs. Champion bolted upright. “What a lovely idea, Joel. The Finches’ house is for sale down the street from us.”
“No, Mama.” Sassy walked over and kissed her stepfather on the cheek. “Thank you for offering, Daddy Joel, but our life is in Hannah now.”
“But your mama—”
“Will be just fine.” Sassy gave her mother a level look. “Right, Mama?”
Eleanor Champion opened her mouth and closed it.
“It seems I have no choice.” Eleanor lifted a trembling hand to her forehead. “Take me home, Joel. I’m very tired.”
“Sure thing, sugar puss. Whatever you say.”
Champion escorted his wife to the car. Grim and Sassy walked them out, waving good-bye as they motored off.
Grim and Sassy returned to the house and Sassy closed the door. “That went better than I expected.”
“You handled your mother well. You were firm, but kind.”
“I know, right?” Sassy beamed. “Looks like we have the house to ourselves. Evan’s gone. Mama and DJ are headed back to Fairhope. Meredith is banished. Juke and Trey are nowhere in sight. Taryn’s the only one unaccounted for.”
“Taryn is on a mission.”
“Oh. When will she be back?”
“I do not know. Perhaps never.”
“Never?” Sassy looked forlorn. “She didn’t say good-bye. H-how sad.”
Grim stroked her cheek. “Do not mourn the Kir, my love. Doubtless I am wrong, and she will return to plague us.”
“I liked Taryn.”
“She was tolerable . . . for a Kir. I confess I should not mind seeing her again. Perhaps in a century or three.”
“You’re impossible.” Sassy wrapped her arms around his neck and gazed up at him. “We’re alone. What do we do now?”
Grim gave her a slow smile. “Evan says it is customary to partake in a post-nuptial ritual called a honeymoon. Evan says it is a holiday for sex.”
“Evan says, huh?” Sassy’s eyes twinkled. “I’m pretty sure we did that already.”
Her mouth was soft and rosy. The taste of it