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Arthur took a breath, searched his store of quotations, and… “The Bard himself cannot do justice to your laughter or to the light in your eyes when you are full of joy. I hope I may add to it.” He turned her toward the path, and out of the night came not a multitude but something even better. “When you were given the neem oil and told it would help you increase, it was not out of spite it was done so. Well, not only.
“The staff conspired for their liberation, you see. For Castleton died without an heir and failed in his duty. As he had no young, the pack was released.” In the faint light of the still-rising sun, shapes became apparent, of figures on foot making their way to the grove. “When Hallbjorn won this place, it was an empty victory, as you know, for the sleuth fled his rule. Without females, he could not mate, and without mating, he produced no young. And no female would entertain him, for he had nothing to offer. He had lands but no sleuth, and he had no sleuth because our own would not join with him as long as he lived. Those who survived scattered until—”
“Until?” Beatrice’s voice shook.
“Until you. Behold, Madam, your bride gift. All these souls to make at home.”
Arthur felt her tremble at his side and then step forward to welcome those who had been in hiding, those who had been without a true home, those who had been tossed to the four corners of the earth. More would return from further afield, but for now his wife, his Beta, embraced the women and kissed the children and shook the men by the hand; they gave her obeisance and in turn gave it to Arthur, and he wove them into his heart, one by one. Tears were shed as greetings were exchanged and friends well met; even Georgie was seen flourishing his hankie.
As the last entered, an extremely elderly male who Arthur recognized as Conlon’s brother, they stood and gloried in the reunion unfolding before them.
“Your Grace.” Was there a trace of Lady Frost who looked on? Beatrice’s voice broke; oh, dear, she called upon the ice in order not to cry. “I shudder to think what may have become of our people had proper preparations not taken place.”
He made a show of lowering his brow. “It is well you took it into your own hands to fund the renovation of the entire eastern border. We have cottages going begging.”
“How fortunate.” Lady Frost melted, and Beatrice’s smile rivaled the sun now fully risen over Arcadia.
Arthur raised her hand to his lips. “How fortunate indeed.”
