Free Ever After by Candace Sams Page A

around her little finger. More importantly, the man didn’t give a flying rat’s butt if anyone saw the raw emotion on his face. As he moved, he took great care with the elderly woman in his embrace.
    People around her muttered how sweet the scene was, how gallant Security Chief Greenleaf behaved toward his beloved grandmother.
    She saw more. She saw a man bearing deep passions and staunch loyalty to someone he cared for—a man with an honorable reputation but who came by it through deeds. What she witnessed undid her best efforts to appear blasé.
    Remarks made by women nearby revealed the gossipers as the sort who’d do anything to have him for a night. She heard them twittering over his massive chest, muscular body or his godlike face. Yet she was with him. And while she wanted to be right where she was, she hadn’t meant to be so emotionally caught up in the moment or the romance of the night.
    No other man had made such an impact in such a short time and for such good reason. She had her job, he had his. There might come a time when High Council action, taken either by his side or hers, could put them at odds even if fraternizing was currently allowed. There might still be limits to just how deep this could go. Celebrating for an evening was one thing, getting as involved as she felt she was, was something else. Still, she couldn’t help herself. She wanted him.
    As the dance ended and applause erupted, she quickly moved back to her seat and clasped her hands together. She didn’t want Dillon or his keenly astute grandmother to see how hard they were shaking.
    As she watched them approach the table to take their respective seats once more, her mouth grew dry, and her heart beat harder.
    What’s happening to me? Yeah…he’s handsome as the day is long but he’s not for me. I have a career. I fought hard to get where I am, even to the point of disguising myself so men on the job would leave me alone. Now, all of a sudden, I want him to notice me. Am I a fighter or a sixteen-year-old with a crush?
    She shook her head, briefly closed her eyes, and reached for her champagne glass. As Immy sat once more with the help of her warrior-like grandson, Keira muttered a few compliments about the dance. She tried to appear unmoved. But as his gaze turn toward her, his eyes actually began to glow like embers. Their gleam reminded her of sacred urns lit deep within Mythreal forests to show hikers the way at night. She knew a Mythrealian male’s eyes didn’t do such a thing unless there was deep emotion stirring within their soul. She’d seen the light for his beloved grandmother. That was to be expected. But why her? Why now?
    What happened the rest of the night was up to her. She could stop what she knew was coming but did she have the courage? Did she even want to?
    Dillon leaned forward and whispered something in his grandmother’s ear.
    Immy turned to her , smiled slowly and spoke. Though parts of her next words were meant for her grandson, the lady’s gaze never wavered. They held an intense expression for Keira alone. “I’ll leave you two now. Dillon dear, help me escort my guests to the transport, will you? Then I want you both to have the most wonderful evening. Don’t end it soon. After all, life is so very short. Take what you want from the night. Never look back. Never regret bold choices. Never let it be said you grew old regretting anything.”
    With that mysterious remark having been made, Dillon slowly stood again.
    Even as he gathered his grandmother’s entourage, Keira understood she was to wait right where she was. Dillon would return. Once he did, something significant was going to happen. His grandmother’s words heralded the moment. Instinct made her believe she was the one to suggest the next move.
    She vaguely recalled saying goodbye to Immy, wishing her a goodnight and passing on equally kind wishes to others in the older woman’s company.
    Soon she was at the table by herself, while Dillon