And she made it look elegant. Fearsome, even. Delicate and deadly all at once.
She turned to Casimir and Koa and gave them each a nod, gracious, approving, and somehow still a little scary.
“Casimir. Koa.” She said their names like she was appraising rare artifacts. “You look sturdy and well. Good.”
Then she stepped in front of me and stopped.
The air got very, very quiet. Even the sky wyrms, who had been doing that thing cats do when they pretend not to watch, focused in. Before my brain could short-circuit, I sank into a deep curtsy, thanking the Goddess Koa had spent all afternoon helping me practice.
“Queen Doria,” I murmured, hoping my voice didn’t crack. “It’s an honor to meet you. Welcome to Evermere.”
For a moment, she took in everything about me, then smiled.
“You wear magic like silk, girl. Just don’t let it wear you back.”
My mouth was suddenly full of cotton. I had no idea what to say to that.
“I’ll try not to?” I ventured.
“Don’t try.Do.” She arched an insanely perfect eyebrow. “The world will always be too eager to reshape you into something easier to swallow.”
It was possibly the most cryptic, terrifying, and empowering thing anyone had ever said to me. I nodded, feeling my cheeks go red-hot, and was never more grateful for anything than when Koa’s hands went around my waist and lifted me to stand again. Rising from a full curtsy would not have happened otherwise, not with the way my knees had jellied.
“Call me Doria,” she invited and waved a hand at her consort. “And this is Caelyr.”
He stepped forward, a small wooden box cradled in his huge hands, and held it out to Casimir.
“We brought stardust wine.”
“As one does,” Casimir replied dryly, accepting the gift with a formal nod. “Thank you.”
At that moment, Brumous seized the stage. He bounded forward and skidded to a halt in front of Doria, his tail wagging with the force of a small earthquake. I didn’t call him back, mostly because I wanted to see how she’d respond to my baby.
Courtesy of Zane, we all heard Brummy’s excited mental shout:Lady Storm! Pet me, or know regret!
“That’s Zaddy’s special boy!” Zane crowed proudly. I wanted to sink into the ground. “Mum, Caelyr, this is Brumous.”
“Oh my Goddess, I’m so sorry,” I whispered. “He’s— He’s usually— Well, notbetter, exactly… He has trauma.”
“No apologies needed.” Doria seemed completely unbothered. “I rather like creatures who announce themselves.”
She offered her fist, and Brumous sniffed it with all the solemnity of a judge considering evidence. After a moment, he licked her knuckles once, decisively, as if knighting her.
Smell like thunder and cake. Approve.
“High praise.” Doria grinned. “Thank you, Lord Brumous.”
Am wise,he preened.
Brummy’s tail went full helicopter as he trotted over to Caelyr, who scooped him up without a word. Yes, this seven-foot-tall celestial knight just picked up a dire wolf as easily as a corgi and cradled him belly-up like a baby.
Alpha Stars.Brummy went blissfully limp.Smell like night wind and old bones. Make dark listen. Still storms. Kill hard. Protect soft.
Koa choked on a laugh. I started to apologize again, but Caelyr only nodded with a calm, “Yes.”
Keep?Brummy sighed, snuggling in deeper.
“Absolutely not.” Doria shook her head, fond exasperation in her eyes as she stared at Caelyr. “No more wolves in Skyspire, sweeting. We have far too many as it is.”
