Free Ever After by Candace Sams

his dance partner. Keira Foley would never take crap off anybody. Especially now that the only person she’d loved within Earth Force would no longer be there to suffer for her particular brand of defense.
    Immy laughed as she glanced between him and Keira. “The way you two are staring at each other, I can see remarks meant to provoke deep conversation will get me nowhere. There’ll be no teasing either of you. That being the case, I think I’ll forgo the banquet portion of tonight’s entertainment and head home.”
    “We’ve only just arrived,” Dillon blurted.
    “Darling, while you danced and had everyone’s tongues wagging, I took a moment to invite simply scores of Earth Embassy staffers and dignitaries to my cottage this weekend,” she declared as she nodded at the others in her entourage.
    The men and women surrounding them hadn’t heard a word of their conversation. Most were indulging in deep, joyful discussions of their own while drinking copious amounts of champagne.
    Dillon shook his head. When allowed to do so without being perceived by the Mythrealian population as taking sides, Immy loved to party with her native Earthers. Valentine’s Day and the weekend celebrations to follow were an excuse to remember old times with those who had much in common.
    “Since they and their luggage will take up space in the royal shuttle,” Immy continued, “I’ll have your valet send your private hovercraft back here. You and this charming, exuberant Earth girl can have the night to yourselves. Before I take my leave, however, I claim a dance…as is my due.”
    Dillon wasn’t fooled. Immy wanted him and Keira to be alone. Keara knew it too. The way she smiled and slyly winked at him destroyed all doubt.
    “Keira, if you’ll excuse me? Immy’s wish is my command,” he said as he rose to help Immy to the dance floor.
    When Keira took a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, and lifted it in a toast to him and his grandmother, Dillon nodded in return and gently offered his arm to his grandmother.
    Everyone near them turned their attention to the royal couple strolling toward the dance floor—a smattering of acknowledging applause turned into a full-blown ovation. This time, the recognition was for Immeldeline Greenleaf. But once the Queen Mother left the building—there being no other royal personages present but him—royal protocol for the night would be considered complete. He and Keira wouldn’t be put on display for any other waltzes or anything else .
    A modern dance ended just as he and Immy made their way to the edge of the white, marble floor. Everyone backed to the edge of it when they saw who approached.
    Dillon saw the orchestra leader nod toward him in acknowledgement, presumably taking Immy’s age into account. Another waltz began, but the beat was slower. With great love and pride, he danced with his grandmother. This time, the tune was The Emperor Waltz by Strauss.
    ****
    Just as anxious to see the event as everyone else, Keira left her seat and quickly made her way to the edge of the ballroom floor. But only after she was sure Dillon wouldn’t catch her gawking like the rest of the audience. She didn’t want him thinking she was glued to his every move, or even remotely impressed by his position. Respect was one thing. Adding herself to the list of his much gossiped-about female fan base was something altogether different.
    What he might have thought of her ogling soon made no difference. Not when she saw the way the huge, aqua blue elf-of-a-man led his tiny, but regally lovely grandmother around the floor. At that moment, something deep in her heart melted. There was no denying the poignant, gentle moment as grandson gazed down at his grandmother. Even as far away as she stood, there was no mistaking the pure, unadulterated love in those glowing green eyes. The colossus everyone knew as a professional, stern taskmaster never missed a beat—his grandmother clearly had him wrapped