A tear slips down my cheek and falls to the ground. Where it lands, a single blue rose grows from the soil to bloom before my eyes.
I swallow hard. “What... what does this mean?”
“It means,” she says, her gaze never leaving mine, “the prophecy has truly begun.”
26
THE FEAST OF ROSES AND FIRE
“Before the first fire, before the first word, there was the dance. Only those born of womb and storm can summon it. For when women move, the earth listens. And when they move as one, the balance shifts.”
—Láda Veléša, Goddess of Leadership and War
Theron
We head to the stream near Ávera’s edge, and I plunge into its depths, letting the cold water cut through the remnants of the day’s hunt, washing away the blood and dirt. The current is strong and refreshing, pulling the weight of the day off my fur. Beside me, Kaël and Zephyr do the same. The hunt was a success. We brought back enough game to feed everyone.
This is a feast for my mate.
The others carry the animals to be prepared. As I sink farther into the water, I wonder what she’s been doing, how she’s adjusting to this world.
Mina has been with her. She’s gentle and patient, everything Noël needs right now. But even with that assurance, I find myself restless. My little dove.
I miss her.
She was so beautiful in the water, letting me touch her, trusting me to care for her. The memory burns fresh in my mind, waking my cock again. I glance to my side, half hoping to see her, but find Kaël grinning back at me instead. Shaking my head, I sigh deeply.
“Something on your mind, Theron?” he asks.
“Plenty,” I mutter before I step out of the water.
Once clean and dry, we make our way to the main clearing where the preparations for the feast are in full swing. Vólkins move through the area as they string garlands, arrange tables, and light lanterns. The scent of freshly prepared food mingles with the sweet aroma of flowers, filling the air with a warmth that feels like home. The garlands are made from glowing blossoms and floating energy orbs. They light as evening creeps in, painting Ávera in an array of colors. Everything looks perfect for the leader. For Noël.
The tables are laid with an array of meats, some cooked and seasoned for her. While we vólkins favor raw meat, we’ve learned to prepare it in ways humans find pleasing. It was one of the many lessons Elder Aïna insisted upon, and we were eager to ensure our mates would feel welcomed when they arrived. Alongside the meat, there are fruits and berries, including the strawberries Noël seemed to enjoy so much. I hope she’ll find the feast to her liking.
I approach Elder Aïna near the center of the clearing, her presence commanding as always. “Elder Aïna,” I greet her with a nod. “The preparations look excellent. Where is my mate?”
“She’s with Mina and the others,” she replies. “They’ve been taking good care of her.”
I’m about to respond when a familiar, sweet scent hits my snout. My head snaps toward its source. Noël?
And then I see them.
A circle of blue roses, fully grown and vibrant, their petals glowing in the diffuse light of the setting sun. I freeze, my chest tightening with awe. I didn’t grow those. “Did she...?”
A smile graces Elder Aïna’s features. “She made them appear. A very good omen.”
My heart swells with pride. Noël’s connection to this land, to Ávera, is stronger than I could have imagined. “She is remarkable,”
“She is,” Elder Aïna agrees, her gaze soft as she looks at the flowers. “And so is the path she’s meant to walk.”
I run my claws over the fur between my ears, smoothing it back so every strand is in place. Then I pull just a few forward. I saw the growlings style their hair this way. “How do I look?”
Elder Aïna smirks. “Handsome.”
I grin as I trace my claws one final time over my fur. If this is how my mate will see me tonight, I want to make sure I’m everything she could want.
The vólkins begin to gather. Pups race each other to the clearing, eager to find the best spot to watch. We stand at the front, all eyes on Elder Aïna as she steps forward to address the crowd. Her presence commands attention, and the lively chatter quiets as she raises her paw.
