Page 140 of Fate of the Sun King

I eye it dubiously. “You’re blindfolding me?”

Leaning in, he wraps the fabric over my eyes and whispers in my ear. “Just trust me.”

“I do,” I say, making my words firm. “You know that, right? I do.”

He pauses as he ties a knot at the back of my head, growing quiet.

“I know that, Lor,” he finally says after a moment. “And I’ll never give you any reason to do otherwise.”

“I know that, too.”

He kisses the shell of my ear and again folds me into his embrace. The simple black dress I’m wearing leaves my arms and legs exposed, and the cool breeze makes me shiver. His hand lands on my knee, caressing the skin as he protects me with his warmth.

“We’re almost there.”

I feel the rock of the boat as we roll over the gentle waves and a soft bump as we come to a stop.

Nadir takes my hand and pulls me up. “Come on,” he says, leading me off the ferry and onto what feels like hard-packed sand.

“Don’t let me fall,” I say as I feel blindly in front of me. I’m beyond curious about what’s going on, but I’m allowing myself to sink into this moment and just enjoy it. Whatever Nadir has planned will be something I like. I’m sure of it.

“Never,” he says with such rawness in his voice that I swallow the thick knot that grows in my throat. I squeeze his hand as we continue walking.

“Careful, there’s a step here,” he says, lifting me by the waist and then settling me on a surface that feels like grass.

“Are we almost there?”

“Almost,” he says, and I can hear the amusement in his voice.

“This had better be good.”

“Only the best for you,” he replies, and finally we come to a stop. He stands behind me, and I feel him untying the knot at the back of my head.

“Ready?”

“Yes! How much longer are you going to make me wait?”

There’s a chorus of laughter before Nadir slips the blindfold off. I gasp as I take in our surroundings. We’re on a small island, the water stretching out in every direction.

In the center of a small clearing is… everyone.

Tristan and Willow and Amya and Mael, Hylene, and Etienne. They’re surrounding a long wooden table that’s covered in food, enclosed by trees strung with hundreds of little white lights. Circling above everyone is a cloud of golden lightning bugs.

“What?” I ask in disbelief.

“Happy birthday!” they shout as Amya and Nadir each lift a hand, sending out ribbons of magic that twist and bend to spell out the words against the darkening sky.

“I…” Willow and Tristan run for me, squeezing me into a tight hug as a tear slips down my cheek.

“What is all this?”

Nadir wraps an arm around me from behind, his large hand spreading across my stomach. “Your brother and sister let it slip that it’s your birthday tomorrow. Something you failed to mention to me.” He arches a brow, and I laugh.

“Sorry. With everything going on, it just didn’t seem important,” I say, absolutely overcome with this gesture.

“Lor, you’re always important to us,” Willow says. “It’s been so many years since we could celebrate properly. When Nadir suggested we do something special, we didn’t hesitate.”

I look up at Nadir. “You did all this?”