Page 78 of Full Moon
Feray blushes, a delightful pink spreading across her cheeks, and nods. I catch Torben's eye, mimicking the action of drinking, and he nods in understanding. Tonic day. She pouts at the drink but takes it, showing Torben she's swallowed it. The room feels different now. Charged with unspoken tension.
I try to focus on Feray's smile, but my mind keeps drifting back to the message. To the terrifying implications of the side effects. To the fact that someone looked at a baby girl and decided to poison her. To steal her birthright before she even knew she had one.
Feray stands before me,her pale rose gown catching the soft light of the room. The fabric shimmers delicately, the color reminding me of the blush of dawn. The ribbons at the back of her dress flutter as she moves. Torben, with his broad shoulders and large hands, struggles with the delicate ties.
I can't help but chuckle. "Need help, big guy?"
Torben rolls his eyes. "Yeah, these aren't meant for delicate work."
I move behind Feray, meeting her gaze in the mirror. Her reflection shows a faint blush on her cheeks. My outfit, stark inits all-black simplicity, contrasts sharply with her fluffy, ethereal gown. "You look beautiful," I whisper, pressing a gentle kiss on her bare shoulder. I turn my attention to the tangled ribbons, carefully unraveling Torben's handiwork.
"Thank you." Her eyes meet mine in the mirror. "You seem stressed, and smell stressed. What happened?" Her super-sensitive nose always picks up on the things I wish I could hide.
"Work crap. Everything is okay, though. I'm waiting on more information before I share what I've learned." The lie tastes bitter on my tongue. But she deserves one day of happiness before we destroy it with the truth.
"You're a good man, Khal."
I look up from the ribbons. "I don't feel like it some days. My work isn't exactly honest, nor is it gentle and kind. I'm not a banker, or a doctor, or even a skilled builder." When I finish tying the last ribbon, Feray spins to face me, her eyes searching my face like she's reading an open book.
"I see a good man that was placed into his family's business. I see a man that is very intelligent and skilled at what he does." Her hand reaches up, gently turning my face back to look at her when I try to look away.
"A man of your talents would be very valuable in a hospital," Easton interjects.
"What if you choose to remain up here? What would any of us do for work?" I look down at Feray. She lowers her gaze for a moment, contemplating.
"Torben can continue with his work here." She glances over at Diaval. "He doesn't always have to be at the bank. He canalmost work remotely if needed, with occasional trips back to Briarvale." I see Diaval nodding in agreement.
"Every community needs medical care, and I am sure that Dunnum and Crescent Valley are severely lacking doctors." Her eyes meet Easton's. "As for you—I'm sure, as this trip has proved, you don't have to be present for your work to continue. Worst case, we set up something here for you to work remotely and have Diaval drop stuff on his way to Briarvale." She makes it sound so simple. Yet, she also avoided my question about whatshewould do.
"My flame." I watch as she steps away from me and moves toward Easton. This is the moment I truly see him for who he is. He carries a regal presence, something I've previously dismissed as mere arrogance from a mythic.
"We will do whatever your heart desires," he says. "Like you said, we have things we can do." He kisses her forehead with gentle tenderness. "I would, however, like to remind you it will take us all months to tie up loose ends in Briarvale."
"You need to meet back up with Fi at some point once you find your answers," I say softly, touching the back of her arm.
Her eyes widen suddenly, and she spins around, taking in the grandeur of the Alpha house. "What's she going to think about all of this?"
Sensing her rising panic, I step into her line of sight. "Precious, remember you have several hundred wolves that can sense your fear or anger and will react accordingly." She halts, closing her eyes, likely reaching out mentally to reassure her pack.
Torben's voice breaks the tension. "I would believe she would be happy for you. After all, Revelin is a prince, so she's eventuallygoing to have a kingdom of her own. Even if he abdicates the throne, he will still need to be present for certain holidays and events. Then there's his band's constant yearly tours. Fi will not miss a constant party across realms."
"That's true." Feray smiles and turns to the door. "Let's find my aunt so I can get into my mom's old room." She loops arms with Easton and they move toward the door.
Diaval stops both of them and holds out their diadems. Easton and Feray roll their eyes at the same time and reach for each other's diadems to place on the other's heads.
Torben moves forward with the bone collar and bracers. "For fuck's sake, Tor!" A low, frustrated growl escapes Feray's lips as she begrudgingly puts them on. "Better?" She looks between Torben and Diaval, and I can't help laughing.
I know exactly whose bed she's going to end up in tonight. This guy's, right here. But even as I smile, the weight of what we're hiding presses down on me.
Tomorrow, we tell her the truth.
Tomorrow, we watch her world shatter again.
But today—today she gets to be happy.
It's the least we can give her.
