“Congratulations,” I say. “Wait! How about a tarot reading?”
Riley looks ready, but Sage shuffles her feet as her eyes dart around.
I soften my smile and reach out a hand to her. “You don’t have to, but I promise it’ll be good if you do.”
She glances at Riley, who is biting their lip in an effort to contain their obvious excitement, and then she shrugs.
“Okay,” she says. “I’ve never done it before, though.”
“A tarot virgin! My favorite!” I cackle, gesturing for them to sit down.
Brooks looks nearly as nervous as Sage, and as usual, Vee isall calm. I wonder if she’s actually that chill on the inside, or if it’s a facade. I’ll have to ask Sage sometime to give me the inside scoop now that they’re bonded.
“We’ll do an easy one,” I say, tapping the deck and then shuffling my cards deftly. “One card pull each, holding your question or intention in mind. I suggest thinking about your newly bonded pack, your future together, your love and feelings for each other. That kind of thing.”
Nods range from eager to hesitant, but they’re all still smiling so I’ll take it.
“Sage, you want to go first? I have a good feeling about it,” I say, keeping my voice encouraging in an effort not to overwhelm her.
She startles, but I hold the cards out in front of her.
“Blow on them.”
She looks at me like I have two heads, but does as I ask, gently blowing across them.
“Good, now hold your question or intention in mind. Got it?”
Her eyes unfocus as she considers, then she meets mine with a nod. I fan the cards out in front of her in a perfect arc, my spine straightening with pride. I love when the cards are ready, when optimism and joy and love permeate the air and you just know it’s going to be a good reading.
“Using your left hand, skim across the cards. You can close your eyes if you want. Focus on your question, then tap or pick up the card that calls to you.”
Sage’s eyes dart between me and the cards, then Brooks’ hand disappears behind her and she relaxes. I suspect he put his hand on her back, and once again, my heart lurches in my chest. Will I ever find the kind of unconditional love that they have? Someone who will always have my back, who will support me in all things big and small?
Sage taps a card, and I slide it out from the rest to flip it over in front of her.
“Three of Cups,” I say. “Do you want to know what it means now, or all together at the end?”
“Oh, um,” Sage says, wringing her hands together. “I don’t know if I can wait. I’m too nervous.”
“There’s nothing to be nervous about, that’s a great card.” I say, smiling reassuringly. I know I can be a lot sometimes, but this is where I’m at my best and often my most intuitive. I should probably try to harness that skill for all the times in my life when I’m not reading tarot, but that’s a future Siobhan problem.
“What does it mean?” Sage asks.
“Well, as we’re focusing on love, this card indicates you’ve invested a lot into this pack. You put all of yourself on the line, and now you get to reap the rewards of that bravery. You have people around you who value you beyond themselves. You make their lives better.” I pause, as the entire pack has leaned into Sage to hold or hug or kiss her gently. When they pull away, I continue.
“It has a secondary meaning, too,” I let my grin turn mischievous, and she eyes me warily. “It also signifies the need for more socializing outside the pack. It’s a reminder to invest time into friendships, as well.”
“So what you’re saying is that you want her to hang out with you more,” Riley snarks, and I laugh, throwing them a grin.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
When I look back at Sage, her cheeks are pink, but she looks pleased.
“Thank you,” she says softly.
“Hmm,” I look between the other three, my gaze drawn to Brooks. “You next, I think.”
I scoop the deck up, reshuffle, then hold the cards up to Brooks.
