“Be grateful for that,” Moira murmured to Paige.
“So instead, I have found the next best thing!” Ragvald continued cheerfully, passing a cup to Shan. “This is a most special drink from your own lands, brewed on the highest of peaks from cloudwater captured at dawn. I assure you, it is very healthy.”
Conleth eyed Paige’s cup as if it might spring for her throat. “By wyrm standards, or ours?”
“It’s fine,” Moira said. She sighed. “And for the last time, Ragvald, that’s not actually where it comes from. Or what it’s made of.”
Ragvald frowned. “Then why is it called Mountain Dew?”
Leonie chuckled. “I missed you, Ragvald.” She glanced round, checking that everyone had a drink. “Looks like we’re all ready. Go ahead, Zephyr.”
Zephyr held his own cup at arms-length, trying to stopAshley from poking curious fingers into it. “Actually, I think you should do the toast this year, Leonie.”
“Me? Why?”
Zephyr regarded her with a rather enigmatic expression. “It just feels appropriate.”
“I agree,” Conleth said. He raised his cup. “Go on, Leonie. Set the tone for the summer.”
Feeling a little self-conscious, she stood, wondering what to say. Searching for inspiration, her gaze fell on Shan, sitting a little way apart from everyone else. She smiled, the perfect words coming to her.
“Camp Thunderbird is a place everyone can be their true self, whether they’re a camper or on the staff.” She raised her cup into the air. “So here’s to finding your place. To finding yourself. And to finding the truth.”
“To truth,” everyone echoed—or nearly everyone. Shan raised his cup in silence, barely touched it to his lips before setting it aside again. Maybe he didn’t like Mountain Dew.
“And I think my time is up,” Zephyr said wryly, as Ashley started to wail in earnest. Putting his cup down, he snuggled her against his shoulder, patting her back. “I’d better get her to bed. Good night, all.”
Paige yawned as Zephyr headed off. “I don’t want to be a party pooper, but I think I need an early night, too.”
Conleth was abruptly a blur of motion. Paige squeaked as he scooped her up. “Conleth! I’m perfectly capable of walking to the car.”
He straightened, not putting her down. “And I’m perfectly capable of carrying you.”
Paige rolled her eyes, but looped her arms around his neck. “You’re being ridiculous, you know.”
“I am a ridiculous sort of person,” he replied, not sounding at all sorry about it. “You knew that when youmarried me. If you expected it to change, I’m afraid you’re going to be disappointed.”
Paige kissed the mating scar on the side of his neck. “Never. See you tomorrow, everyone.”
“That’s optimistic,” Leonie murmured as the pair left. “I’m not sure Conleth’s going to let her get out of bed in the morning.”
“It is right for a man to put his mate’s comfort above all else,” Ragvald said, a shade reproachfully. “Especially when she carries his child. You cannot blame him for that.”
She grinned at the wyrm. “No, but I can certainly tease him about it. I grew up with Conleth and his brothers. I’m just getting my own back for years of pranks.”
“Actually, I think Conleth has the right idea,” Honey said. She leaned back on her hands, eyeing Buck speculatively. “Want to carry me off to bed?”
Buck frowned at her. “It’s only the first day of camp. You can’t be tired out already, woman.”
Honey gave him a sweet smile. “Who said anything about being tired?”
Buck digested this. Then, in one smooth movement, he knocked back his drink, discarded his cup, and tossed Honey over his shoulder.
“Have fun!” Leonie called after them as Buck carried his laughing mate away. She flashed a wry smile at Moira, Ragvald, and Shan. “So much for all the mated couples. Just us poor, unfortunate singletons left. Shall we drown our sorrows together?”
Moira gave her a considering look. “Actually, I think I shall retire as well.”
“Already?” Leonie said in dismay. “Are you okay?”
