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The thought that, to the south, the sorcerers were grouping like a pack of feral wolves hit home. For the first time, I realized there was no safety—anywhere. Oh, if we moved to the Dragon Reaches, we’d be safe. The demons weren’t stupid enough to take on the entire world of Dragonkin, but we couldn’t just leave Otherworld and Earthside to the hands of Shadow Wing.
“Good,” I said. “We need to be kept abreast. We’re working on the reorganization for the new Earthside headquarters of the OIA. It will be housed at the FH-CSI, but properly this time. Now that we’re in charge, we can do so much more with keeping the lines of communication open.”
Trenyth gave my hand a little squeeze. “That’s a good thing. Now, put talk of business away. It’s time to focus on your celebration.”
Hard as it was—the future loomed dark and dreadful, like a gathering storm—I turned my attention back to Nerissa. She had never seen Otherworld, and now I saw it again through fresh eyes—through her vision.
We’d left Shamas, Bruce, and Vanzir at home—they’d volunteered to stay and watch over Maggie and the house. As much as I wanted our little munchkin with us, we felt it was safer to leave her at home. But Chase—with his broken thumb—and Rozurial, Shade, Morio, Smoky, and Trillian had come with us. And, of course, Iris and my sisters.
The carriages were waiting, and as we climbed in and began our trek through the crowded, bustling city, Nerissa laughed with delight.
“It’s so beautiful, and so different. As noisy as the crowds are, it’s quiet. No planes, no cars, no buzz of electricity…”
“But the magic hums brightly here,” Camille said, laughing with her. She, Delilah, and Iris were in the carriage with us.
Eye catchers lit the streets, and I noticed the roads were actually clean. Apparently the usual beggars had been put to work sweeping the cobblestones, picking up litter, and cleaning the stables and streets of the manure left behind by the horses and animals. Tanaquar had instituted a work-for-food program, and even though she’d used our father and tried to cause trouble with us, I had to give it to her—taking the homeless off the streets and giving them jobs for food and simple shelter was genius.
We clattered along, the horses’ hooves beating a staccato tattoo against the cobblestones, and as we went, Nerissa kept pointing out the unfamiliar trees and flowers and the architecture that was unique to Otherworld. I let her ramble, loving the animation in her face and the delight in her voice.
“I wish you could see this in the daylight. But you will. I’ve arranged for us to stay a couple days. Father has rented a safe house for us, with a lair for me, and I’ll be safe while you explore the city with Camille and Delilah.”
“But what about work—”
I shook my head. “I talked to Chase. You have the next few days off. And we all need a break. The men will be going home except for Smoky, and we’ll stay here and visit Father and maybe…maybe look up some of our old friends. If any of them are left after the civil war.” I didn’t mention that we’d had very few friends when we lived here before.
The trip across town to the lake took the better part of two hours, but by nine P.M. Earthside time, we pulled into the park surrounding the Erulizi Falls. Here, the trees were just beginning to bud, the tiny leaves green and sparkling with dew. It had rained during the day, but now the stars were out and the soft whisper of raindrops dripping to the lush grass below was calming. The night was chilly, but not cold, and I saw that my father had set up tents for us to relax and dress in.
The falls…the Erulizi Falls were one of the most beautiful places I had ever been in Otherworld. Wide, though not tall, they covered a cavern in which a goddess supposedly lived. Women brought flowers to her all through the summer in supplication for her blessings on their homes and love lives—for Erulizi was a goddess of passion and joy. Water thundered over the top, sparkling in the light of the crescent moon as it rained down on the lake below, concentric rings rippling out along the surface of the lake.
I remembered the festivals from my youth spent here, on holidays—they were some of my happiest memories.
Today, Y’Elestrial had already had its public spring equinox festival here by the falls, but tonight, we would have ours, and perhaps, if she willed it, if she was in a good mood, Erulizi would see fit to bless our wedding.
Nerissa walked out to the edge of the lake, staring over the expanse. “I could get used to this,” she said, turning to me. “I could get used to living here. Just…so you know.”
I understood what she was saying and wrapped my arm around her waist. “Maybe one day, we’ll have a home in both worlds.”
“I’d like that,” she said.
“What about your condo? Are you keeping your condo now that you’re moving in with us?” We’d figured out that if she slept during the night, and I during the day, there was no real danger to her sharing my bedroom.
While the basement couldn’t be expanded, Smoky and the men were adding on an extra sitting room upstairs, just for us. The parlor would no longer be Nerissa’s home away from home and she wouldn’t have to sleep on a sofa, or on a cot in Delilah’s spare room.
“Renting it out. We might as well have the rental income coming in.” She inhaled deeply, then slowly let it out, shaking her head as the breeze ruffled through her hair.
“I have a surprise for you. I hope you don’t mind.” I turned around and motioned to the carriage that had drawn near. “I invited someone to the wedding.”
Nerissa turned in time to see Venus the Moon Child jump out of the carriage. The werepuma shaman, who was now one of Asteria’s Keraastar Knights, hurried over to throw his arms around Nerissa, planting a big kiss on her cheek. He turned to me, and I allowed him to do the same. The smell of puma sweat clung thick to him.
“I’m so happy for you, Nessa.” He clapped her on the back. “And you, too, Menolly.” He lowered his voice, glancing over at Delilah, who hadn’t noticed him yet. “Zachary sends his love. He didn’t think it would be a good idea for him to show up—there’s just too much water under the bridge, you know. For him, at least. But he’s happy, and he can run free here.”
“He’s in puma form all the time now, isn’t he?” Zach had made the final transformation to his full puma shape, eliminating the paralysis that had claimed him from battle.
“Yeah, but we talk a lot, and he’s got himself a gorgeous wildcat of a girlfriend. She’s pregnant and they’re expecting a fine litter of cubs.”
I left Venus and Nerissa to catch up and headed across the meadow to start dressing. Nerissa would dress in the other pavilion, helped by Delilah. When I reached the tent I found that my father had arranged a surprise for me, as well.
As I entered through the linen canvas, I found myself staring at Aunt Rythwar. She was standing beside Iris and Camille, who was weeping for joy.
