She started to say that they were going to be heartbroken when Aradella had to marry someone else, but she didn’t. She was sure that Tanek was already thinking of that. Swans mate for life. For Mekos not to get the woman he wanted would hurt him. Forever.
When they reached the house, she had a thought. “Have your father and your mother seen each other since you were created?”
“Not that I know of.”
“What did he tell you about your mother?”
“That it was one night, she was one of the Seven, and I was to keep my mouth shut about who she was.” He went into the house.
“A good, long, boy talk,” she muttered, then followed him inside.
Early the next morning, the four of them were staring at the beat-up old flatbed wagon that had been sent for them. The woman who drove it tied the reins to the seat, then nodded to Tanek, letting him know that he was to be the driver. The back of the wagon was full of lumpy bags of coconuts and pineapples.
Tanek and Kaley were standing close together, watching what was going on around them. Both of them wore expressions of surprise. While Mekos and Aradella, wearing one of her big dresses, looked at home, as if they knew everyone in the Lair, the older couple were outsiders. Their focus had been on each other and they had met no one.
“Something happened here besides what we saw at the waterfall,” Tanek said softly. “Something much bigger. I’d like to know what my son was up to.”
“I think Aradella can hold her own. Whatever it was, I think they did it together.”
Frowning, Tanek was looking at the dilapidated wagon. “We, meaning my son, appears to have displeased someone.”
“Maybe they need the pretty carriage for dignitaries from Selkan.” Kaley wanted to remove the worried look from her husband’s face. “Maybe Prince Bront will be there.”
“He won’t like your shoes,” Tanek replied, referring to the glass slipper that the prince had found. He turned to Mekos. “You two will have to ride back there. If you’re friends enough, that is.”
“We’ll manage,” Mekos said without meeting his father’s eyes. He stepped forward, then stopped and listened. “They’re coming.”
“Who is?” Tanek asked.
Mekos didn’t answer him. He went to Aradella and put his hands on her waist. In a half soar, half leap, he put her on the back of the wagon, her legs hanging down, then he got on to sit beside her.
When Tanek looked down the road, he saw nothing, but he was used to his son’s keen hearing. He helped Kaley up to sit on the hard narrow seat, then got up beside her and untied the reins.
“We don’t leave yet,” Mekos said in a tone he didn’t usually use.
With eyes widened in disbelief, Tanek leaned over to Kaley. “My son just gave me an order.”
“I think that’s good,” Kaley said. “He’s—” She didn’t say any more because they heard the happy voices of women. Lots of women. Andveryhappy.
When she and Tanek turned around to look, they saw what appeared to be every female in the Lair coming toward them. The women were talking, some of them singing, and all of them were smiling.
When the crowd got closer to the wagon, they began tossing flowers. Mekos and Aradella were laughing as they twisted about to catch the blossoms.
“We will come to your celebration,” the women were saying. “We will bring gifts.”
Hobbling at the side was a very old woman with three women helping her to reach them. She was Valona’s maid. When she got close, the woman held out an extraordinary flower to Aradella. It was dark gold and yellow, with tall spikes at the top. “Thank you,” the old woman said. “I am free. I don’t have to lie and pretend anymore. Thank you.” Tears were running down her face.
Aradella took the flower and bowed her head to her.
The women led the maid away.
“What is it?” Mekos asked.
“An oncidium,” Aradella answered. “Also called the butterfly orchid.”
He nodded in satisfaction that she knew.
Six women stepped forward. Their arms were tightly wrapped around their pretty daughters—who had soot on their faces and clothes. “Our daughters are safe,” the women called to Aradella. “Thank you.”
