She raised her arms, and the effect was immediate. Conversations died mid-sentence. Laughter faded. Even the children quieted.
The silence was reverent, and Annani allowed it to stretch for a moment before she spoke.
"My beloved," she began, her voice carrying easily across the lawn without need of amplification. "Thank you for gathering to celebrate this most joyous occasion."
She paused, sweeping her gaze across the assembled faces. So many of them now. Most were her clan, but there were also Kra-ell and humans present, and she was glad they had decided to join the celebration. The more events they attended together, the closer-knit the community would become.
"First, I want to thank everyone who made this celebration possible." Annani smiled warmly in Amanda's direction. "Amanda, my dear daughter, thank you for organizing this beautiful party. Your talent for creating moments of joy is a gift to us all."
Amanda inclined her head.
"I also wish to thank the volunteers who set up the tables and hung the decorations, transforming this lawn into a magical fairy tale." Annani gestured at the banners and balloons thatfluttered in the gentle breeze. "And of course, my deepest thanks to Soraya and her sisters, Rana, Parisa, and Yasmin, for preparing the wonderful feast that awaits us at the buffet. The desserts are the best part, especially the baklava, but they will not bring them out unless nothing is left from the main dishes, so I encourage you all to pile your plates."
Laughter rippled through the crowd, and Annani smiled.
Kyra, Soraya's other sister, was not present today because she was on a mission that only a handful of people knew about, working alongside Max and a small contingent of Guardians to aid the Kurdish rebels she had led for over two decades. It was dangerous work, important work, and Annani sent a silent prayer to the Fates for their safe return.
She waited a moment longer, allowing her family time to assemble at the foot of the podium. Amanda had moved to stand beside Dalhu, who had Evie riding on his shoulders. Kian was there with Syssi, with Allegra clutching Syssi's leg and looking with suspicious eyes at Areana. Alena and Orion, without E.T, who was probably napping in his stroller and watched by Orion's sister. Ell-rom and Jasmine, Morelle and Brandon. They all gathered close, a wall of love and support.
The last ones to arrive were Toven and Mia.
It was difficult to reconcile the fact that Toven was Mortdh's brother, even though they had only shared a father and had different mothers. Ekin had been a good god who had supported his half-brother wholeheartedly. Toven had taken after him, and Mortdh must have taken after his mother.
Then again, having five children had taught her that personality had little to do with genetics or upbringing. The soul each childhosted had been fully formed on arrival, and some of those souls had experienced countless life cycles, while others were brand new.
Annani extended her hand toward the crowd. "Areana, sister of mine. Please join me up here."
The crowd parted, and Areana made her way to the podium, her sons and their mates following close behind. She climbed the steps and stood beside Annani, her pale beauty luminous in the afternoon light.
Lokan, Kalugal, Carol, and Jacki positioned themselves at the foot of the stage, joining the rest of the family.
Annani took Areana's hand in hers and turned back to face the crowd.
"Five thousand years ago, I was separated from my sister due to tragic circumstances beyond the control of either of us. Neither of us knew that the other had survived." She paused and smiled at Carol, who could not see her because she was standing with her back to the podium. "Then one of my great-great-granddaughters delivered me an incredible gift. Exhibiting unparalleled bravery, she infiltrated Navuh's harem and confirmed our suspicion that my beloved sister was there. Carol deserves a round of applause." Annani started clapping, and soon everyone joined her.
As the crowd clapped and hooted, Carol took a bow, then turned around to face the podium and sent an air kiss to Annani and then to Areana.
Annani waited for the crowd to settle down before continuing. "Carol offered Areana freedom, but my sister refused to leave her truelove mate, and I had to be satisfied with establishingweekly calls with her. Having the ability to talk to her has been an incredible gift for which I thanked the Fates almost daily, but having Areana here with me is even better." She turned to look at Areana, who had tears in her eyes.
"Here she is. My sister. My blood. Returned to me at last."
The crowd was utterly silent, hanging on every word.
Annani turned back to her people and smiled. "Areana is not the only one we welcome to our community today." Annani released her sister's hand and gestured toward the cluster of women standing near the front of the crowd. "We also welcome Tula, Sarah, Tamira, Raviki, Beulah, Liliat, and Rolenna. They were Areana's sisters in captivity, and as such, they became my sisters as well. They now stand among us as free members of our clan."
The ladies' expressions were a mixture of pride and overwhelming emotion.
"These women have suffered, but they have survived," Annani continued. "They have been prisoners, but they never allowed their spirits to be caged. And now they have a chance to build new lives, to discover who they are when they are free to choose their own paths."
She paused, letting the words settle over the gathering.
"We also welcome two men who came with them. Tony and Elias. They too are now part of our family, and we are richer for their presence."
Tony lifted his hand and waved, smiling at whoever turned to look at him. He was an outgoing man, and as a talented bioinformatician, he was an asset to the clan. Kaia believed thathe was a Dormant, but so far, he had not sought out an inducer, so perhaps he was not ready to give transition a try.
Elias stood beside Tamira, his hand clasped in hers, his expression unreadable.
"I know that you have questions about the complicated circumstances that made this reunion possible." Annani did not mention Navuh by name, but she did not need to. Everyone knew. "Those questions will be answered in time. For now, I ask only that you open your hearts to these newcomers as you have opened your hearts to so many others who have found their way to us over the years."
