He chuckled,kissing her gently before wrapping an arm around her and facing us. “Your turn,children.”
The three of usopened our packages and each of us had brand new Rolex’s.
“Mum’s right,this is too much,” I said.
“It’s not,” hecountered. “You’ve all had a hand in getting us to this day and I’m so proud ofall three of you.”
“Oh, Daddy.”Billie burst into tears and wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging himtightly.
Tonight, was ourfirst annual gala to commemorateVakningin Mikla. This was thefulfillment of the ancient prophecy of the Great Awakening which had beenforetold by the original council centuries ago. It told of a time when the KaltEinn would walk freely among this world. Free from the dangers of both the sunand of humankind.
“Jesus,” Liamhissed, and I turned to see Liberty and her family walk into the library.
Liberty lookedspectacular. Her light blonde hair had been swept into a side bun at her neckand she wore a diamond and sapphire crown that more than likely dated back toher Viking ancestry. Her father, Kaspar, was, after all, the Kalt Einn king andhis lineage was even longer than my father’s.
Her mother,Jesska, had been human, and American, much like my own, only she was not awoman to be trifled with. Whereas my mother was gentle and sweet, Jess couldslay you with just a look and keep walking like it never happened.
Our familiesgreeted one another as Liam and Liberty made a beeline for each other and thenLiam led her out of the room.
So much for Liamplaying hard to get.
I didn’t haveany more time to think about my brother and his love life, as the rest of ourfamily descended upon the library, and considering the fact we were a largebrood, it was hectic, to say the least.
“Phin!”
I turned to thesound of my name and grinned as my cousin, Isla, came rushing toward me. Islawas the youngest daughter of Connall and Pepper and she’d been bonded to Arric,an ancient Oracle no one had known about. Their beginning had been somewhatrocky but with two children and a new baby on the way, their lives had settledinto wedded bliss, and I couldn’t be happier for her.
“Hey there,” Isaid, pulling her in for a hug. “You look beautiful.”
“Liar. I looklike a whale.”
“Isla,” Arricgrowled as he joined us.
She rolled hereyes. “Well, Ido. I’m baking yet another one of your giant spawn.”
“You’rebeautiful, baby,” he argued. “And if anyone else said that about you, I’d knock’em flat.”
“Bloody right,”I agreed. “You look amazing, cousin.”
She let out ahuff. “Whatever.”
“Come on, baby,”Arric said, wrapping his arm around her waist. “Let’s get you off your feet.”He guided her away and I made my way over to my sister.
* * *
“Lairds, ladies, members of thehigh council, and our distinguished guests, I bid you welcome. We are honoredto have you here with us in our home tonight as we celebrate the twentiethanniversary of the fulfillment of the prophecy of the ancients. The foretellingofVakningin Mikla.” My father paused as the hall erupted into applause.“I’d like to first address my Cauld Ane family,” he said, looking out among thesea of faces. “Many of you here tonight have survived for centuries hoping tothe Fates to see these times. My heart swells with joy for you, and we arehonored to be among you tonight. Others of you will barely remember the daysbefore the Cauld Ane walked hand in hand with humankind.” He looked down at mymother. “Before my brilliant and beautiful wife, your queen, created BlueFang.”
The crowdcheered in approval of their beloved matriarch. My mother smiled and waved withevery ounce of grace and poise possible, but I knew she desperately wanted toslink down in her chair and hide under the table.
“In fact,” myfather continued, “exciting breakthroughs in Blue Fang technology arecontinuing to be made as we speak at Gunnach Pharmaceuticals. Breakthroughsthat will improve the lives of all Cauld Ane for generations to come. As yourking, I pledge to continue my tireless efforts in creating a better world forus. To stand up and protect each and every one of our kind.”
I must admit,even I found Da’s words moving, and I found myself with a bit of a lump in mythroat.
“And to ourhuman cousins here tonight. On behalf of the royal family and its subjects, Iwish to express our humble gratitude for your support. The bond we’ve builttogether over the years has exceeded my wildest expectations and I look forwardto that bond strengthening even further as time moves forward.”
Again, my father’swords were met with approval from the room.
“Before we enjoythe beautiful dinner prepared for us tonight, I’d like to invite Arric Gunnach,the head of our council to speak a blessing over us in the old tongue.”
