“Breathe.” Ben wrapped his arms around Koios and smiled down at him. “Everything is going to be fine. We’re just going to walk up there, let the king gush about how amazing we are, and then?—”
“It’s not that easy.” Koios glanced at the crowd, picking out all their friends and family. “Did Cosmo bring everyone we’ve ever met?”
Sawyer and his mates sat behind the Jerrick pack. Their three kids were in attendance as well. Maybe he could convince one of them to?—
“Stop it. You aren’t going to corrupt them. I’ve already told Henry you’re not allowed to speak to them until after the ceremony.”
Koios scoffed. “You don’t know me that well, Ben Jerrick.”
“Yes, I do. Look, Nick and all the kids are here too. Oh, and there’s Uncle Sol. Damn, Cosmo really went all out for us, didn’t he?”
“Well, we did save their lives. Plus, Cosmo loves any excuse for a party.”
Their human pack members gaped at the gloriousness of the Unseelie realm. Koios couldn’t pretend it didn’t knock his socks off. Well, it would have if Cosmo had sent him socks to wear instead of the purple slipper things with all the embroidery.
They followed the processional of their pack to the dais set up at the end of the field. Flowers rained down on them as they walked. When they reached the king and king consort, they all bowed low. They’d been practicing for a week. Taj was worse than Gideon when it came to training. He wanted them to be perfect when they made their appearance.
Luckily, they managed to survive.
“Welcome Unseelie brethren.” King Silenus’s voice carried, almost as if he had a secret microphone on his lapel. But nope, fae magic.
Koios looked down at his shoes and began unwinding the embroidery. If Cosmo wanted to use real metal, what did he expect Koios to do?
“Today, we honor the Chosen Champions, a pack from the human realm who showed incredible bravery and courage. They saved the lives of myself and my consort. Today, we show them our gratitude.”
The entire crowd roared, and more flower petals fell on their heads. Koios managed to twist the embroidery from his shoe into a bow. Oh, maybe he could do Ben’s next.
“Don’t do it.”
Party pooper.
The king honored Logan first, as alpha of the pack. Then Bailey, his mate. Then Gideon and Taj, and on and on down the line. It took forever.
Not that Koios didn’t appreciate it. He did. But there were so many people staring at them. He’d mentioned the giants, right? Because there were giants and…oh, there were the harpies. Oh wow, a few of them really did look like Iris. They must be the Electra ones. He needed to remember to ask Cosmo?—
“Pay attention,” Ben whispered against his ear.
Koios may have taken him more seriously if Ben didn’t laugh a second after he said it.
“I’m nervous,” Koios hissed.
“I know. Ignore all of them. Focus on me.”
Koios squeezed Ben’s hand. “Yeah, okay.”
No one had been the least bit surprised when they announced they were mates. Koios had expected at least a little shock. Nope, everyone had apparently had a betting pool going for years as to when they’d figure it out.
Nana Jerrick won.
“And finally,” King Silenus said, “I am honored to introduce Koios, son of the harpies and dwarves, and his mate, Ben Jerrick, Healer Bear of the Jerrick pack.”
Ben led Koios to the king. Cosmo beamed at both of them.
“Today, we celebrate the bravery of the champions who saved our lives with a true celebration of life.”
“Oh goddess,” Koios groaned.
“Koios and Ben, do you give yourselves to be handfasted today, in front of your friends and family?”
