“Are you enjoying the party, my dear?”
“Of course.” He grins. “Taught Paddy some new songs.”
“Oh yes, I heard. He’ll be singing them all night.” Niamh smiles. “I received a letter from Eleanor the other day,”
I’ve heard that Farron’s youngest sibling, Eleanor—Nori—is currently a ward in the Summer Realm. Something shifts in Dayton’s expression. “Did she mention Delphia?”
Delphia, Dayton’s little sister, and current steward of the Summer Realm.
“By mention, you mean complain about every single aspect of her,” Niamh says. “You know them, getting on like oil and water.”
Dayton gives a charming laugh. “Sounds about right.”
“Delphia’s well. The very spirit of the sun inside that one. Though,” Princess Niamh’s voice drops to a low tone, “the Summer Realm is a great expanse. There will be a time soon when she’ll need you, Daytonales. She will need the Blessing of Summer and her older brother.”
Dayton heaves in a breath. “Yes, alright.” He stands, pulling Farron with him. “But tonight, we dance.”
Farron shrugs before he’s towed away into the throng with Dayton. I can’t resist grinning as I watch them, the way Farron’s whole body melts into Day’s chest as they hold each other.
I chance a glance over at Niamh, who watches them with a matching expression of fondness.
“Your family,” I say softly, more to myself, “is so close. I can tell how much you love each other.”
“Of course,” she says. “Love stokes a mighty fire within us, one able to summon armies, create magic, and break spells. It is the greatest strength we possess.”
“And you’re wise as well,” I say, “with words like that.”
“Well, I can’t take all the credit for it.” She taps the side of her nose. “Long ago, when I was only a small child, I met Queen Aurelia herself. I asked her how to help my people and that is what she replied.”
“Wow, liketheQueen? The one who built Castletree? What was she like?”
“Mighty,” Niamh says, then her eyes narrow as she looks at me. “And beautiful. And… kind.”
“Well, for the record, I think you’re an amazing ruler. I’m sure the Queen would be proud.”
Niamh smiles, gaze returning to Farron. He and Dayton have been pulled into a jig with Dom and Billy now.
“Can I ask you something?” I whisper.
“Of course.”
I inhale deeply, hoping she doesn’t get offended. “You’re such an amazing ruler and the people love you. How come you passed the Blessing onto Farron instead of continuing to reign?”
Niamh doesn’t hesitate as she says, “Because when I looked at him, I knew he could be a better ruler than I. Though, there are times I wonder if the burden of Autumn’s Blessing is too great for his gentle heart.”
Our eyes meet. “No, you weren’t wrong. I know he’ll make the Autumn Realm proud. I know he’ll make you proud.” Emotion wells within me at the trueness of my words. “Farron’s gentle heart makes him mighty.”
42
Rosalina
Ishouldbeexhaustedafter the party tonight, yet sleep eludes me. I’ve been tossing and turning for an hour at least.
Maybe it’s because this is the first night in the last month I’ve actually spent alone. Every other night, I’ve been curled up in a nest of pillows and blankets outside of Farron’s door surrounded by my wolves. It’s lonely without their comforting scent, the warm fur, or in Keldarion’s case, skin…
I’d been startled the first time I’d woken up embraced by the man. But fast asleep is the only time Keldarion gives in to our mate bond, holding me with utmost ferocity.
And some nights, when I’m sure he’s deeply in dreams, I roll over and study the lines of his face, or touch the hard panes of his chest, and nuzzle into his embrace.
