“Yes.”
He smiled. “Good. Ty and I are friends, so we will encourage each other to make amends.”
“Oh, she is...”
“Making him do the same penance.”
“Ah, she has really sensitive hearing. Once she knew the need, she set it into motion. Besides, you won’t appreciate us if it is too easy.” She sighed. “And you hurt people. You need to work on empathy.”
He sighed and nodded. “I understand. Please excuse me. I see Ember.”
She nodded, and he went off while Wylda continued to sing as dancers performed folk dances and country dances from centuries ago.
One of the guests came to her and said, “Will you dance, little star?”
“Certainly, drake.” She let her wings flare. Hers were black and less fluffy than Wylda’s, but the appreciation in the drake’s gaze made her laugh. He was so excited.
“Little cousin, can you come and fly with me? My mate doesn’t mind.”
“When? Where? I don’t drive yet. I don’t do much of anything yet.”
He smiled. “I can send a driver. Where are you staying?”
“With Delphine.”
The music continued without a singer now. Wylda was in Lord Rez’s arms, and they were swaying together. He was a good-looking ogre. Kijin. Whatever. Wylda was looking up at him shyly, and he bent his head to kiss her.
A man at a nearby table whistled. “Well, that is something.”
Elodie stared, and then Stiila leaned forward. “Looks like we need a new suitor for Riida. This is a better match for him. I am guessing she eats her vegetables.”
Elodie smiled. “She eats everyone’s vegetables. Stiila, you remember Wylda, right?”
“That’s Wylda? She looks different.”
“Well, all ladies are different without their makeup. You should know.”
Stiila chuckled. “Fair enough. Halla, you look different.”
“I have been moisturizing.” She lifted her dark hands. “Or not. I can’t tell. Oh, and please call me Elodie now. It will be less confusing for the poor little elves.”
Stiila’s husband laughed softly. “You make it seem like they confuse easily.”
“Well, they get old, and things are forgotten.” Elodie shrugged.
Wylda lifted her head and beckoned. Elodie and Delphine stepped onto the dance floor, and they let their power show. All of it. Stovos and Orvis were standing together, face to face, as the two stars and blessed light began to dance around them.
Stovos muttered, “This takes me back.”
Elodie smiled, and they kept dancing. The pipes led their steps, and the fiddle kept their energy up. She spun silken darkness in a veil around the couple. Del wrapped them in waves of light that were held back by the shadows. Her light could be dangerous.
Wylda brought the magic. She spun and danced inside the dark and light, leaving a fine weaving of power around the couple.
Elodie felt the glorious rush of being herself again. The dark star wasn’t seen often, but she was with her friends. The sisters who had fallen with her and been there when she gathered herself to walk this world under her own self.
As they moved, she saw light and a familiar face. Halla hadn’t left yet, and she had so desperately loved to dance. Elodie heard, “You can let me go now. I am free. We are free.”
Elodie continued her steps, gathered her dark magic, wrapped it around Halla’s spirit as tears streaked down her cheeks. She saw Delphine, who smiled and nodded. Light wrapped around Halla, and then she was thrust skyward, starting slow and then gathering speed. A streak of a rising star left the ground, and Elodie grinned and spun and danced as Wylda cast her spell on Atolica and Stovos. The power built and then snapped, firing inward on two very powerful people. Their bodies fought it, but nothing could resist wild magic.
