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I grin. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
We slip through the crowd together, keeping close as we make our way toward the palace entrance.
When we step outside, the cool night air washes over us, carrying the scent of pine and autumn leaves. The palace towers behind us, golden light spilling through its tall windows, while music drifts faintly through the open doors.
Above us, the two pumpkin moons hang side by side in the dark sky. Vibrant orange, bright and full. Their amber light spills across the palace grounds and turns the winding road ahead into something straight out of a fairy tale.
Our carriage waits for us at the edge of the gravel path.
I help Micah inside before climbing in after him. The door closes with a soft thud, shutting out the noise of the celebration. Micah settles beside me, his shoulder pressed against mine as we gaze through the window.
The palace slowly disappears behind us, its golden lights growing smaller until the music fades into silence.
I lace my fingers through his and squeeze.
He looks up at me, smiling softly beneath his mask.
I smile back.
Hand in hand, we ride home beneath the warm orange glow of the pumpkin moons.
Chapter Seventeen: Micah
Maple jumps into Lucan’s arms the moment we step inside his apartment. Her wings flutter frantically, her long, forked tongue licking at his beard. Her entire scaly body vibrates with excitement.
Lucan chuckles softly, scratching between her horns. “Calm down, girl. We weren’t gone that long.”
Maple lets out a happy chirp, nuzzling beneath his chin.
After she finishes greeting Lucan, she flutters her prosthetics and flies straight into my arms, nearly toppling me over when her body slams into my chest. A soft purr rumbles deep in her chest as she licks my cheek, her breath carrying the lingering scent of smoke.
“Hello to you too,” I murmur, laughing as I scratch beneath her chin.
Lucan watches us with a fond smile before turning toward the kitchen. “Stay here, girl.”
Maple’s orange eyes follow him.
He pulls a piece of bacon from a covered dish on the counter and holds it up.
Maple’s head snaps toward him, her wings giving an excited flutter.
Lucan chuckles. “Aye. It’s your favorite.”
He crouches down and offers her the bacon. Maple snatches it from his fingers and immediately begins chewing, her tail wagging behind her.
Lucan scratches the top of her head. “There you go. That’ll keep you busy for a while.”
I stare at him. “Why does she need to be busy?”
Lucan looks at me, his flat expression unreadable.
He doesn’t answer.
Instead, he steps forward and scoops me into his arms.
A startled laugh escapes me as my feet leave the floor. I wrap my arms around his neck, trying unsuccessfully to hide my grin.
He carries me toward his bedroom as though I weigh nothing. His boot pushes open the door before he carries me inside, then nudges it shut behind us. He gently lowers me onto the mattress, his gaze never leaving mine.
