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The avian kin explored the field around me, murmuring to each other with unrestrained awe. Another grin I couldn’t contain crossed my lips.
I’d pulled it off—everything I’d wanted this celebration to be. And I could see the pleasure it had brought this group of my people reflected in every face.
But this was only the beginning. No getting cocky yet, not when I had three more epic revelries to pull off.
Chapter 2
Aaron
As the stacksof cleared plates along the edge of the porch grew, more and more of my fellow avian shifters got caught up in the rhythm of the music and started to dance. Watching them dip and spin under the arcs of glittering lights brought me back to the first celebration my kin had enjoyed with Serenity—one they’d organized for her instead of the other way around.
It was hard to believe that had happened less than a year and a half ago. We’d all come a long way since then.
I caught a glimpse of my mate whirling in the midst of the crowd, her dark brown hair streaming around her, one arm resting protectively over her belly. Beautiful, as always. I would have gone to join her if one of my attendants hadn’t hurried over to me just then.
“She’s here,” he said, with a twitch of his head toward the far end of the field. “You wanted her to wait for you?”
My pulse skipped with both nerves and relief. “Yes. I’ll go speak to her right now.”
“Do you need company?” the attendant asked respectfully.
“Did she bring any?”
He shook his head.
“I think I’m well covered then,” I said. My sister had already caught sight of us talking and was weaving her way through the crowd. Alice knew about the arrangements I’d made, and she did enjoy her role as bodyguard. I didn’t want to give the impression of distrust, not when the trust we’d managed to build so far was still somewhat fragile. “Thank you.”
I skirted the edge of the field, and Alice fell into step beside me.
“Do you think she’s really going to go through with this?” she asked.
“I can’t see why she’d have bothered coming at all if she changed her mind.”
“The fae aren’t exactly known for their transparent natures.”
I had to laugh. “Fair enough. I suppose we’ll just have to see, then.”
My sister rubbed her bare hands together in the chilly air. She’d never liked wearing gloves, even when we were kids. “I’m surprised you went for this idea at all. Mysticism and secrets aren’t usually your thing.”
No, they weren’t. And that was why my stomach was knotting as we made our way toward the stretch of forest beyond the lights. But I kept striding on regardless. Because…
“We can prepare in all sorts of practical ways as well. This mysticism served us awfully well last year. I can’t see how it hurts to prepare that way too. And I think it’ll mean a lot to Serenity.”
Alice dipped her head. “That’s true. You don’t think we still need to be wary of the fae?”
“Oh, I doubt it’ll ever be wise to trust them blindly. But they have proven themselves true allies since that battle with the vampires.” I glanced at my sister. “I wouldn’t be letting you join me if I didn’t think it was best to err on the side of caution and have a bit of back-up along.”
“I’d like to think I’m more than abitof back-up,” Alice said loftily, and bumped me with a playful elbow I returned with a chuckle.
The music fell away as we stepped from the field into the thicker darkness of the woods. I didn’t need any more direction than my attendant had given me to find the woman we were looking for. A faint glow glimmered amid the trees up ahead.
The fae monarch gave the two of us a measured look as we approached. She stayed where she was in her formal silvery gown, a shimmer of light rising from the fabric and her pale skin and hair. Her crown of vines was nestled on the top of her head, the leaves a crisp golden brown they’d stay until the trees’ first buds opened in spring.
“Monarch,” I said, with a moderate bow that Alice echoed.
“Alpha of the avian kin,” the monarch returned with a bob of her own. “Are you ready?”
“You’ve brought the crystal?”
