From what I’ve since learned about the clan and their bigotry toward magick wielders, I agree there’s nowhere to go but up.
Glasses clink in celebration as our friends and acquaintances—everyone involved in breaking the fae spell—exclaim new and progressively more ridiculous toasts.
“To yetis! The fae’s natural predators!” Clink.
“To Niven! The mind melter!” Clink.
“To Esmeralda! Fae relic tester daredevil!” Clink.
Esmeralda cracks up as the table cheers for her. She waves her hands downward, to calm them as they grow rowdier. “As mayhap one of the first to have witnessed their relationship, I want to propose a toast to Norrell and Ada, who have found their way back to each other,” she announces as she lifts her glass. “May the moon and stars above bless Norrell and Ada in hearth, home, and love.” It’s a slight variation of a common but much beloved toast.
As everyone at the large table at The Roaring Wood lifts their glass for the toast, they hoot and holler for us. Norrell watches me with a contented smile on his face as they make a racket around us. Those hard lines between his brows finally look smoother and less stark, like a crushing weight on his shoulders has lifted.
Luckily, Esmeralda sits in the chair next to me, so I turn to her as the rest of the group carry on. “Having you here means so much to me. You have always been so supportive and caring. Staying in touch with Norrell, researching cures, sending the journal, and now being here, it’s more than I could have ever asked for. Thank you,” I acknowledge our deep appreciation of her.
“All of it was my pleasure. Mother Earth, I’m so glad to see everything turn out as it should.” Her beaming smile could light up the room.
“Niven, this would not have been possible without you. Thank you for all you have done for Ada,” Norrell tells him with a hearty clap to the back, their admiration for each other clear.
“I think I made out the best here. A valuable consultant. New and revived friendships. Another big case investigated and closed, earning me some much-needed time off. All compelling reasons to come back and visit. This place has been good to me,” he says with a huff of laughter.
“A home away from home,” Walt chimes in with his newly youthful voice. “You couldn’t pick a better place.”
“The collective heart of our community embraces all those who visit,” Acton agrees.
“Hear, hear! To Monstera Bluff! Niven’s home away from home!” Clancy exclaims, initiating another toast, setting off another round of clinking glasses.
“This town is a credit to Whispered Folk,” Elgar adds as we take a drink.
“We hope to have you back again soon, Elgar. You’re family now,” Walt replies.
“I will return soon and bring our parents. They were not happy he was forced to leave here to take over leadership all those years ago. But the situation in the clan was fraught for so long. It was rotting from the inside out. Our parents always wanted to meet Ada and visit this place,” Elgar divulges. “They are grateful to finally have that chance.”
“Hopefully it’ll be the first time of many,” Walt encourages.
Esmeralda turns to me again. “What are you going to do now that you’re feeling better?”
I deliberate for a moment. “Well, I still need to show Walt the ropes of town council. Our first meeting of the year is next week. He’s the young up-and-comer on the council now,” I joke, reaching out and squeezing his hand. He belly laughs, still sounding the same as ever. “As for the shop, I’ve leaned on my team a lot the past few months. It’s shown me that Sunny is a natural leader in addition to being responsible and smart. Same with the rest of the staff. I’m considering stepping back to focus on my specialty again. I’ve been reminded of so many memories of my time at Sparklight Academy, I miss working in transmutation and alchemy every day. The challenge of it. There have been a lot of special projects I’ve had to turn down because of time constraints. It’ll be good to reprioritize”
“Ben will be happy to hear it. I’m sure Guardian Construction will make good use of your magick,” Clancy remarks.
“I’ve always felt bad turning down some of his requests, especially for his more aesthetic and creative projects,” I respond. “So hopefully I’ll free up time for him and others who need it.” I pause and smile at Norrell, never getting enough of the profound love in his eyes when he looks at me. “Most of all, though, I look forward to spending time with Norrell and building our life together.”
“I am the luckiest male in the world,” he declares as he leans in for a quick kiss.
“He knows it too,” Esmeralda teases.
“To Norrell! The luckiest male in the world!” a witch across the table calls out. A round of cheers and clinking glasses follow.
Clancy stares at Walt, rubbing a hand over his chin. “Walt, I can’t get over seeing you as a young male. It makes an aging centaur feel positively ancient,” he snickers.
“I may have to come out of retirement. Growing young again has presented some unique but good problems to have,” Walt jokes.
“Who knows, I may get to hand thereinsof the town over to you someday.” Clancy smirks at his pun. “I should have long ago learned my lesson to expect the unexpected.”
“To Walt! Proof that seventy is the new twenty!” Clink.
We go well into the evening toasting each other and everything we can think of. The tension I’ve felt since Samhain lifts with each one. I’m floating in happiness—and a bit of a buzz—by the time we head home.
