The Ice Diamond Cuff (Custodian Novel #4) Read Online Free Page A

into
my wedding dress."
    Her dad reached into another cupboard and
pulled out a round tin. He took the lid off and placed it in the
middle of the table before retrieving his own cup of tea from the
counter and joining his daughter and future son-in-law.
    "Dad," Faedra said cupping her hands around
her steaming mug. "I hope you don't mind but I've volunteered you
for something."
    Henry's expression became guarded. "What did
you do?"
    Faedra gnawed on her lip for a second before
answering. "You're going to be the only delegate to represent the
World of Men in the upcoming Seven Realms Tournament," she blurted,
as fast as the words would come out.
    Henry nearly spat his mouthful of tea across
the table. "What?!" he exclaimed after a hefty swallow to force the
liquid down.
    Faen's hand crept across the table to cover
Faedra's again. "I think it may have been wiser to ask your father
if he would like to compete before you volunteered him," he
said.
    Faedra looked at her dad who was doing a good
impression of a deer caught in the headlights and turned back to
her Guardian. "Yeah, I guess. But you know what I'm like when I get
a bee in my bonnet, and it just bugged me that the World of Men
wasn't represented. Well, now it is." She gestured with open palms
towards her dad who was still looking a bit dumbstruck.
    Henry did a subtle shake of his head to bring
himself back to his senses.
    "And which event, dare I ask, did you
volunteer me for?"
    "Darts," Faedra and Faen announced
together.
    "Darts?" Henry cast an incredulous look
towards his daughter. "They play darts in the other realms?"
    "They do now," Faedra said, a wry smile
curving her lips. "Father decided they could do with a fresh event
in the tournament."
    "No doubt with a little persuasion from a
certain young lady."
    Faedra's smile grew into an all-out grin.
    "Oh, go on, Dad. You were pub champion three
years in a row. And, besides, you’re the only human my other dad
will allow into Azran. You have to represent the World of Men."
    "But, darling. I haven't played darts for a
while," Henry said, his eyes pleading with her to see what a stupid
idea this was.
    "Well, you better start practicing then,"
Faedra said undeterred. "The tournament's in a month."
    It was Henry's turn to sport the martyred
look, which he turned on Faen. "It's not too late to back out, you
know," Henry said with a wink, which earned him a doff on the arm
from his daughter.
    "It is your daughter's passion for doing what
she thinks is right that makes me love her so much," Faen
responded.
    Faedra leaned over and rested her head on
Faen's shoulder. "Aw, you know just the right thing to say at just
the right time."
    Faen inclined his head.
    "So, how are the wedding plans going?" Henry
asked. "I expect the king is tearing his hair out trying to
organize a wedding and a tournament."
    "Actually, he seems pretty calm about the
whole thing," Faedra replied. "Most of the tournament preparations
are being done by a separate group from each realm. They all get
together and make the arrangements. It's just that Azran is hosting
it this time. So apart from making an appearance at the opening
ceremony and competing in a couple of events, he's not getting too
involved. As for the wedding, it's getting there. We have our last
fitting for myself and the bridesmaids next week. I don't have to
worry too much about the wedding here until after the tournament. I
thought it would be too much to try and fit it in before, so I'll
go with Amy and Zoe for a fitting in a month or so. I'm glad we are
just having a small wedding here. I have a feeling the one is Azran
is going to be a little... overwhelming."
    Faen gave Faedra's shoulders a squeeze. "And
you will get through it just fine."
    She gave him a warm smile. Truth was, she was
getting very excited. Not just for her marrying the most incredible
man she'd ever met, but it also meant she would get to see her
friends again. They would all be in attendance. She couldn't wait
to