Peyton shrugged. “Casually dating, but no one special. Don’t fuss over me, Cicely. I’m good on my own. If there ever is anybody, he’ll have to complement me, not complete me. I’m content. Now go tell the kids to come give their Aunt Peyton a hug.”
“Will do.” I wandered through the backyard of the Veil House, and waved to Rhiannon. We would carve out our time to talk later on.
As I wandered through the expanse of yard behind the Veil House, I saw our children gathered over by the border to the Golden Wood.
First, there was Andy—the boy we’d rescued from the house. Rhiannon and Chatter had adopted him, and he had grown up a strong, trustworthy boy. He was skilled with herbs and had become a healer. Andy was also in love with my youngest daughter, Krystal, who was a telepath and a wolf-shifter, like her father. Krystal and Andy wanted to live in New Forest, so they would be marrying soon and taking over the Veil House for their own when Peyton moved into her own home across town.
For two years, she’d carried on at the Veil House after Luna died, but I couldn’t help but wonder if Peyton hadn’t been a little bit in love with our bard. I’d never ask her, and she’d probably never volunteer the information if she was, but part of me whispered that Peyton had fallen for Luna long ago.
To my left, at a picnic table, sat Rhiannon and Chatter’s son, Talker. He was eating alongside my second daughter, Amber. They were also headed for the altar. Or at least, Rhiannon and I suspected they might be.
The pair spent every moment they could together, and since neither was heir to the throne, we saw no need to force them to stay home all the time. They had to deal with the brunt of security guards and all that being the children of royalty entailed, but Rhiannon and I were determined that they grow up to lead their own lives. We were changing the rules of our realms, as much as we could, and integrating the Fae into the mainstream of life.
Lastly, our oldest daughters walked hand in hand. Rhia’s daughter—Hawthorn—had hair as red as the morning sky. My daughter, Yew, mirrored my own coloring. Once again, amber and jet would rule. Fire and ice. We had given birth to them on the winter solstice. Yew was born just before the stroke of midnight, when the night was at its darkest. Hawthorn was born twelve hours later, just after midday, when the Wheel had started to turn toward the light. Grieve and Chatter had been proud papas, that much was for sure.
With Hawthorn and Yew, tradition would rule out. We were grooming our daughters to one day take our places. They would remain with us, in the realms of Summer and Winter, until the day we were ready to return to the Golden Isle. They had accepted their fate and were content. Destiny would have its say, even when the future intruded.
Grieve slipped up beside me, wrapping an arm around my waist. “Enjoying the festival, my love?”
I nodded. “Yes, though each season, I feel a bit more alienated from the town. I suppose it’s what this life does. This is the price we pay. I spoke to Peyton. She’s doing well, but she misses Luna.”
“We all miss Luna. And Kaylin.” He pulled me close. “Tonight, you will stay with Lannan?” The old jealousy was long gone, buried under the strength of our love and of our children who cemented us together like glue.
With a shy laugh, I nodded. Two nights out of each year I spent with the vampire. We had come to an understanding over the years. Lannan would never mellow, but he respected me now, and he and Grieve even had found interests in common, though they would never be close friends.
“You do not mind?” I always asked, even though, after twenty-five years, the routine was down pat.
Lannan, of the golden hair and dark soul, had survived the fall, and for his bravery, he’d been handed the permanent keys to the Regency. Together, he and Regina ruled over New Forest without question.
“I do not mind. He saved your life once, and he saved my life. And then, he sacrificed himself so that you would have the chance to destroy Myst. You can’t fault a hero.” He grinned at me. “I know your heart belongs to me.”
And it did, even though Lannan and I had our fun. The truth was, at times Lannan and I just spent the night talking now. While the passion had settled into a comfortable friendship, when I needed him, I had the outlet twice a year to play in the dark, to safely vent out the memories of Cherish and Myst.
Now and then I met with his sister Regina, and we went shopping at night. The stores would open their doors to us. I’d learned more than I ever thought I would want to know about their lives—both before and after being turned—and I had developed a deep respect for them. Our friendship was forging new inroads for the relationship between the Fae and Vampire nations.
“My heart is in your hands, my love.” I kissed Grieve on the nose.
“Go. I can feel you’re antsy. Go flying for a while. You need it.” He slapped me on the butt, and I laughed, once again marveling that I had found my way back to him. The journey that had started forty-six years ago, in this lifetime, had ended up here. In this yard, on this night, under the summer moon.
I headed toward the oak tree. Grieve was right. I needed some time by myself. With every passing year, I enjoyed my time in owl form more and more. My grandfather and I had spent a lot of time together, and I was beginning to understand the true nature of the Uwilahsidhe, though—as he put it—it would be a lifelong journey. One day, I would meet my father again, and I hoped he and Lainule would be proud of how far I had come.
As I climbed the boughs, I remembered my first time. Pressured by an unknown force, I had climbed the tree, removed my clothes, and then plummeted headlong toward the earth. And for the first time, I had spread my wings and found true freedom, and had begun my journey toward finding out about my lineage.
Now, as I stared up at the glowing moon, I could hear the sounds of the festivities from below. Our people were content. We had relative peace. We had rebuilt New Forest after vanquishing Myst.
And the future? Only the Fates knew where it would lead.
Ulean, are you ready?
I’m here, Cicely. Where do you want to go?
Let’s head out over the forest. I want to fly hard and long.
I’m ready when you are.
You’ve got my back, Ulean? I always asked—it was our tradition.
And as she always did, Ulean laughed. Of course I do. I will always have your back. Forever. Call up the wind, Cicely, and let’s stretch those wings of yours.
And so I called to the wind, and a stiff breeze sprang up as I plunged forward off the tree, arms shifting into wings, body transforming, tail feathers growing. I spread my wings and turned on the wind, and with Ulean dancing and leapfrogging by my side, I flew into the night as the moon rose high over the trees, and the Golden Wood glowed with an unearthly, beautiful light.