I throw my hands over my mouth. “Elora!” I move to sit beside her. “Calix is your father?”
“It would appear so.” She shrugs, but I don’t miss the smile on her lips before she takes another bite.
“This is what I get for going to bed early.” I sigh. “I want all the details on our way to the Onyx Guild.” I pick my mug back up and cradle it between my palms. “Where is my brother, by the way?”
“I’m not sure,” Elora says. “He was gone when I woke?—"
“Miss me that much already?” Sorin enters the room as he does every room, like he owns it. He kisses Elora’s cheek before pouring himself a cup of the delightfully sinful liquid.
“Where were you?” Elora asks.
“A walk.” He shrugs before taking a large gulp of coffee and setting his cup down. “Was feeling restless. Now!” he shouts, clapping his hands together. “Today is our last day at the beautiful Jade Guild, and since we’ve agreed to wait until nightfall to travel with the wolves, I heard talk of a party?” His voice is boisterous but something about him is off. His shoulders are tense and darkness lines under his eyes. Then, I notice how he twists our father’s ring on his finger.
He’s nervous about something.
But what?
Letty and Eviey lay out a small plate of mixed cheeses and cured meats, along with the sugared blackberries I smelt earlier. Tallulah and Evren join us, filling their cups with tea and plates with breakfast.
Lunch?
I still have no idea what time it is.
“We must celebrate our Samaria.” The twins rush my sides, pinching my cheeks just as they did when I was a child.
I groan into my cup. “It’s not just about me. Surely there’s something else we can celebrate too.” I look to Sorin for help, anything to keep the focus from me for a moment. I’m typically the first to jump on the opportunity for attention, but after seeing my father yesterday I’m still shaken up.
Sorin’s face cuts into a wicked grin. One I know too well but have seen so little the last few weeks. “There’s one thing we can celebrate.”
“Sorin,” Elora says, holding up a hand before he can elaborate. They share a look and despite my brother’s odd demeanor it’s difficult not to laugh at just how opposite they are. Her brows are furrowed, and Sorin’s grin is wide. He props his elbows on the table and bats his thick, dark lashes at her.
“Perhaps a wedding?”
Most of theafternoon is spent packing the remainder of the Jade Guild’s belongings; the rest of the larder items, some cots and blankets, and boxes upon boxes of plants Tallulah insists we bring. But after most things are secured, we shift our focus to the celebration. When Sorin told Elora about a wedding, of course she insisted on doing nothing of the sort. But with a little convincing from the twins and a grotesque amount of talking from my brother, she conceded and now here we are.
Just outside the keep is a small garden that Tallulah happily explained she grew from scratch.
“Not an ounce of magick was used to grow these beauties,” she says, pointing to the beautiful dahlia’s and orange pumpkins.
The twins took the last of the candles and lined them down a small path between two pine trees. The sight brings me back to Loxley. My eyes sting but I continue to set a few chairs out, although I’m not quite sure how this works. I’ve never attended a wedding before but somewhere to sit seems like a good idea.
I smooth the wrinkles from my deep, emerald dress. It’s too tight for my curves, but Tallulah was generous enough to loan Elora and I each something to wear, so it felt wrong to decline.
“Sam.” Agnes peeks out the doorway. “Elora needs you and Tallulah to come help her.” Tallulah and I share a smile as we head in.
Tallulah walks ahead of me, reminding me the way to Sorin and Elora’s room. Her dark hair is braided in a crown, ivy woven throughout. Her skin is luminous against the pale pink dress she wears.
When we enter the room, my breath catches. Elora’s hair is swept back but loose, a few golden waves framing her face. The dress, one of Tallulah’s, is a beautiful sage with delicate yellow flowers across the bodice and down the tight sleeves. The neckline is high, but when she turns around, doing a spin for us, the back is swooped low, showing off her ivory skin.
“Well?” she asks, her cheeks turning as pink as Tallulah’s dress.
“Beautiful!” Tallulah says, clasping her hands together. “I knew it would fit.”
“Beautiful,” I whisper.
“May I?” Tallulah steps forward, gesturing to Elora’s hair. She shrugs. and as Tallulah raises her wrists. my stomach drops.
“Wait.” I step forward. “Hunters?”
