“Twice,” Skonk corrected.
We spilled inside, filling the small space in a way that would have felt claustrophobic if it weren’t so familiar. Stella’s shop had always been part sanctuary, part gossip hub, part war council. Today it was all three plus something heavier.
Chairs scraped. Cloaks were shrugged off. The big table by the front window filled quickly: my parents, Keegan, the Silver Wolf now in her human form, Nova, Ardetia, Bella, Lady Limora, and her trio. Twobble and Skonk claimed their usual spot near the counter, like two gremlins staking their emotional support corner.
I took the chair with the slightly wobbly leg.
Stella moved like a general prepping her troops. Kettle on. Teapots selected at lightning speed. Cups set out…mismatched, each one somehow perfect for the person it landed in front of.
“Courage blend for the wounded egos,” she said, pouring amber liquid into my cup. “Focus blend for those of you who can’t stop tinkering. Nova, Limora, don’t look at me like that, you know who you are. Something soothing for the wolf. Goblins get chamomile, but I’ll never admit it out loud.”
“You just did,” Twobble pointed out.
“That’s the grief talking,” she said.
The chaotic murmur of small talk tried to surface again.
Opal asked Bella about the fencing around the Wilds. Vivienne offered Marla a biscuit and a quiet, “You did well, you know.” My mother and Nova discussed whether the Luminary would hold a grudge. My father and the Silver Wolf shared a look that held more history than words.
I cupped my tea, letting the heat sink into my cold fingers.
Keegan watched me over the rim of his cup. “Say something vicious,” he said softly.
I blinked. “What?”
“You’re holding it in.” His eyes were serious, but there was a hint of a smile. “Either about Gideon, or the priestess, or circles, or fate. It’s going to explode and take out a sugar bowl if you don’t vent. So say something vicious. I’ll pretend to be offended.”
A laugh, thin and shaky, escaped me. “Vicious. Okay.” I took a breath. “I hope when Gideon looks at himself in the mirror, it fogs up in just one tiny, annoying spot so he can’t see his own expression properly.”
Keegan’s mouth twitched. “Savage.”
“I hope his boots squeak,” I added. “Forever. And no one else can hear it but him.”
Twobble had inched closer, ears pricked. “Ooo, petty curses,” he breathed. “My favorite genre.”
“I hope his dramatic coat snags on every doorknob,” I said, warming to the theme. “Every single one. Especially when he’s trying to be impressive.”
Bella snorted into her tea. Even Nova’s lips twitched.
Stella nodded approvingly. “Excellent. Much healthier than pretending you’re fine.”
“I’m not fine,” I said. “I’m… whatever comes between furious and disappointed.”
“Fur-pointed,” Twobble suggested.
“Disafurious,” Skonk said.
“Heartbroken,” the Silver Wolf said quietly.
Silence fell for a heartbeat.
Yeah.
That too.
We sipped.
“Ember has been taking care of the inn, but I should probably head over there soon,” Keegan said, glancing at me.
