“Sorry.” She’d easily catch them with her skill. “If you could look at Nicolas as adoringly as you can, then that’d make me feel better.”
Nicolas slid his arm along the back of Faith’s chair, rested his hand on her bare shoulder. “Faith,” he murmured, low enough only she and I heard.
She glanced at him. “Yes.”
“As we planned.”
“Okay. I need to make Silvie feel better, anyway.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek, no hesitation. At the other end of the table, Killian thumped his hands against the table and rattled the plates.
“Enough, Killian.” Wincrest rose to his feet. “As much as it’s my decision who courts my granddaughters, I will take their wishes into account.” He eyed Faith. “It appears you have a preference. If that’s the case, I need to hear confirmation of it so we may all enjoy our meal in peace.”
“Yes. I prefer Nicolas. He’s a healer and so compassionate and kind. I’ve been drawn to him from the moment we met.”
Wincrest switched his gaze to Hope. “And you, my dear?”
Abelard shoved his chair back. “Sire, I’ve not been given the chance to enjoy her company as Maslin has.”
“Settle, Abelard. I will hear what Hope has to say.”
Hope gripped Maslin’s hand and smiled at him. “I would choose the man I’ve worked alongside these past two years. Maslin wants the same things as me, and I want him.”
“As I want you.” Maslin stroked her blond hair.
No way. If Silas ever saw that, Maslin’s blood would spill.
Crap, and Nicolas was tucking Faith against his side. Shoot. Davio would bust his gut to get his hands around Nicolas’s neck.
Alexo rose. “I applaud the girls’ decision, and fully stand behind them.”
“I do believe they’ve chosen well.” Wincrest lifted his long stemmed glass and raised it in a toast. “To approved courtships and—” His gaze moved to Guy. “—the newly married. My congratulations to you all.”
“Here. Here.” Guy reached toward me with his glass in hand. “You truly are the key. Let’s seal the toast.”
“Did we just do it? Was that truly Wincrest’s acceptance?”
“He loves his granddaughters. We should have factored that into any decision he made.”
“Okay, Wincrest might have one redeeming quality, but that’s it.” I tapped my glass to his as several others at the table clinked their glasses together too. All but Killian and Abelard. No surprises there.
Faith gripped my hand. “We did it. That’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Hold on. Something’s happening.” Her eyes glazed over. “Oh my goodness. Another forewarning.”
Alexo bolted to his feet, his gaze clearing too. “Did you get that, Faith?”
“Gerritt Moyer’s on his way, but how, Dad?”
“Divine intervention.” He ran to the balcony’s glass doors and flung them wide as Gerritt shimmered onto the landing.
Gerritt’s clothes dripped, all muddied and ragged. Wincrest joined them, clasped Gerritt’s shoulder. “You’ve escaped?”
“No, Your Majesty, I was freed. Where’s my son?”
“Dad?” Guy struggled to his feet. “Is that really you?”
“Yes. I’m back.” Gerritt stumbled toward Guy and pulled him into his arms. “I love you.”
Holy moly. How was Gerritt back? “Silas?” I threw open our link. “Gerritt Moyer’s been released. Would you care to explain?”
“Hey, I was just going to tell you what happened. Davio felt conflicted about keeping Guy’s father locked away. He decided to make the first move, to ensure Guy understood our working together would not be broken by us. One protector and one warrior at a time, remember?”
“Oh, trust me, Guy already understood that, but, wow. Thank you. Tell Davio I love him, and what’s he’s done means the world to me.” Tears streamed down my cheeks, my relief and happiness too great to withhold. “I love you too. Tell Davio he won’t regret this.”
“I know he won’t. Love you.”
Guy gripped his father’s face between his hands. “How are you free? How is this possible?”
“I was told nothing, just blindfolded, taken from my cell then ’ported. I wasn’t sure where to until I scented fresh air and heard gushing water. The guard slid my blindfold free and told me it was my lucky day, that Loveria had granted my freedom.”
“Just like that?”
“The guard flashed away, and with my freedom, so did I. The river was right there. I used it to mask my ’porting airstream through to the dome room.”
Guy’s gaze whizzed to mine, a hundred questions burning within their depths. “Come. Meet my father.”
“Silas just told me Davio released your father.” I scurried around the table and he wrapped me between him and Gerritt.