Epilogue
The catering staff had everything arranged, and the moment the bride and groom finished their photos, they were ready to attend the three hundred guests that had somehow all arrived for a wedding arranged in under three weeks.
The bride had been in the kitchen twice for snacks already. Jennika kept a section of the kitchen just for her little raids. She had been in constantly during the tasting and information session a week ago. Eudora could eat.
Jennika looked around at the plating ready to start, and they waited for the speeches to conclude. The djinn’s best man was his brother, and he was giving what was supposed to be the second-to-last speech. She nodded to her sous chef, and they got plating.
The servers got ready for the announcement, and when the coordinator gave them the nod, they sprang into action, serving three hundred and ten meals as neatly and rapidly as possible.
Jennika took the tray for the head table, and she heard a sigh as a server grinned and took the tray from her. “Thank you.”
The server walked with her, and Jennika grinned at the happy couple as she handed over their meals. “Congratulations. You both look lovely.”
Eudora smiled. “You look like a pillow.”
Jennika laughed and waddled to the next seat, serving the first five plates quickly before the next server brought the food for the last five. “Have a lovely dinner.”
She walked to the microphone and said, “Ladies and gentlemen and whatever else you are today, in addition to each meal, there is a small container of steak or barbecue sauce. The bride herself has crafted it, and I can confirm it is addictive. A pregnant chef wouldn’t lie about that.
Have a lovely meal and a wonderful evening. ”
Jennika moved through the crowd as the meals were being brought out with precision. She sighed as the baby kicked the hell out of her from the inside, and she smiled at the single month that lay ahead. She could manage it. She had already gotten this far.
* * * *
Eudora smiled as she swayed in Sern’s arms. “That was a lovely wedding.”
“It was. I am glad it was ours.”
“How do we know three hundred people?” She smirked.
“This was the prime list and part of the second list.”
“I see. Why is that alpha staring at the kitchen like Jennika ate his dessert?”
He glanced, paused, and nodded. “Right. Do you remember our talk about pixies? That is one of our pixies. Blood drinkers.”
“Oh. Shit.”
He chuckled. “Don’t worry. You are the wrong flavour.”
“How do you know?”
“Because he’s staring at the kitchen.”
Eudora giggled. “Ah. Right. Well, we have had the first dance. Others have hit the dance floor. What happens next?”
He leaned in and whispered in graphic detail what would come next. First, it would be her; second, it would be her; and then he would take his turn.
“Oh, that’s a good plan.” She pressed against him as they moved around the other couples.
He nodded to the man he had identified as a pixie, and the man headed toward the kitchen.
“Sern, what did you just do?”
“Sent a blade to find some fire. At least he had dessert first.”
“Do you think they liked the steak sauce?” she asked quickly.
“I think that there is none left, and you are going to be inundated with requests to make it commercially. Jennika will help, I am certain. She will need something to do when the baby comes.”
“Her food is amazing.”
“I will be honest; it was one of the reasons I rushed the wedding. I had to get in before her mat leave. Don’t tell Denith. He will be jealous.”
She looked at him and laughed as he spun her around.
The project for Ford was done, and he was negotiating for more of her particular brand of editing that moved things seamlessly from motion to motion, switching subjects with minimal AI.
The parkour games were getting ready to go wide on subscription services, and her ads were driving the campaign.
She had accomplished a lot in the last few weeks, including marrying one of the more eligible bachelors in the city.
Ah well. Likon was having a very nice time, keeping some of the guests from going after Khira.
He was a great guardian when you needed one, but he was an even better knight in shining armour.
Khira was the perfect target. She would fight him every step of the way. It would be character-building for him.
Sern asked, “What are you thinking about? That is a devilish smile.”
“Likon’s sex life. It’s what got us here, after all.”
Sern started laughing and lifted her to spin her in the air. She smirked and did the same to him as soon as her feet were on the ground. Their guests who knew what that was about laughed, and the others just stared in astonishment.
Sern took the lift as her version of public claiming, and he pulled her to his chest for a kiss that stole her breath and gave her visions of their future.
When he lifted his head, she blinked. “Wow. I haven’t seen through space and time before. That was trippy.”
“What did you see?”
“Your mom will make it here for the birth of her grandchild.” She cocked her head. “She’s taller than I thought. Nearly the same height as your stepfather.”
“She’s a dragon slayer. The height is part of the skill set. It was what positioned her at court and what made it impossible for her to remain there.”
“I see. Well, no court here.”
He smiled. “No. We are on our own here, making up the rules as we go, or your friend Emhara would never have been allowed to have three deltas.”
“I don’t think allowed came into it. She needed calm and support and affection, and they provided it.”
“Just so.”
She smiled. “Good thing you guys had time to adapt to the modern age. Our new brand of ladies in distress would have given you whiplash otherwise.”
“I think it is the same the world over.”
She fluttered her lashes at her husband. “Would you like me to throw you out through the doors to the garden to prove you wrong?”
He paused and grinned. “I see your point. You are very wise.”
“Uh-huh.” She smiled. “I still think legal briefs are the underwear you wear to court.”
He grinned. “And I am forever thankful for your lack of legal knowledge, or we wouldn’t be here today.”
“Well, that and Likon’s sex life. Never forget that little tidbit.”
He nodded. “We will get him a nice bouquet on the anniversary of him and Nessa on the couch.”
“Send cupcakes with cream filling.”
He lifted her and swung her around again, laughing with her. It was a very good wedding.
* * * *
Win and Emhara were comparing notes about photos versus sketches. They were each going to produce their best and give it to the couple as part of the wedding gift.
Each had a group of men nearby, and off to the side, Alex was talking with the earth-born djinn who had been invited via their mates, and they explained exactly what they were and how they worked. No dragons required.
Using one of the earth-born djinn and a mage for control of the change, Win would be able to reshape Alex.
They were making a plan, only missing an ingredient that made Win scowl.
Emhara smiled. “What’s the problem?”
“We need fire. Not dragon fire, not burning fire. Magical fire.”
“Go ask the chef. She might be able to help.” Emhara chuckled.
“What?”
“You didn’t see it? See if you took a picture of her with your special lens.”
Win frowned, and there was a lot of beeping until she saw the image. “Oh, shit.”
She walked over to the djinn and mage. “Would this do it?”
Oren nodded. “That would do it. You will have to wait a month.”
Win frowned. “Why?”
“The baby. She needs the fire to keep it safe. She can’t give it up yet.”
Win blinked. “Oh. Got it.”
She got up and went to ask the chef a question.
Emhara continued her sketch until she got it perfect, right down to Eudora’s muscles banded with red energy. It really stood out against the white beaded dress.
She smiled, pulled the tissue over the sketch, and flipped the page to start the next one.
Eudora sitting on a couch, wrapped in a brilliantly coloured quilt with a book in her hand and a bassinet next to her, with Sern sitting at a computer, leaning against Eudora’s legs, one foot rocking the cradle.
Echel crouched. “Oh, they are going to love that one.”
“Yeah, that’s a good one. I did one of the chef, too, but she looks different.” Emhara flipped and showed him an image of a very pregnant woman in a black gown studded with black beads, her hands wreathed in fire, and her body alight as she glared at the viewer.
Echel looked at the woman’s bare feet. “What is that?”
“A puddle of blood and some heavy-duty handcuffs. I don’t know what they mean, but they are part of her.”
“That is an odd accessory.”
“Yeah, but you know what, I get the feeling we are only at the tip of the weirdness.”
Echel kissed her cheek and nodded.
* * * *
The next day, Eudora woke in Sern’s arms and smiled. “We have a room full of presents downstairs.”
“We have to record who sent what so we can send them thank you notes.”
“Wow. Aren’t we Miss Manners?”
He smiled. “You want to open some now.”
“Please. One of them is calling me.”
“Okay. Go find the talking present. I will bring your robe.”
She bolted out of the room and headed for the present pile.
The one she wanted was right where she remembered.
She waited until Sern came down in some pyjama bottoms, and he handed her a robe.
She slipped the robe on over her shoulders, and she pulled the card out of the envelope.
“To the mage of strength. Remember your softness and embrace safety. I know you don’t quilt, so this is for your collection. ”
She opened the wrapping carefully, and when she had the box, she popped the tape open and held her breath. She lifted the lid and started crying as she saw blacks and reds and patterns she couldn’t identify but felt so familiar.
Sern was staring in shock. “That’s an imperial seal, but not one I have seen before.”
“It feels so soft but strong at the same time.” She wrapped it around herself and beamed at Sern. “Whoever made this has known about us for some time. Quilts are not fast.”
“I am less and less surprised by the new skills arising in this area, but I am so happy that you are happy. May I take a photo and send it to my mother?”
“Sure. Are you going to go through Den?”
He laughed. “Yes.”
“Why don’t you show it to Teyval? He’s the archive. He should have a record of things.”
Sern smiled. “You are very smart.”
“Thank you. It comes and goes.” She beamed. “Like you.”
He tackled her gently to the floor, and they continued the tradition of having sex in every room in the house.
It was certainly an interesting way to break the ice and get her familiar with everything around her.
They both had a few days off work and a goal to get through.
The presents were just for light distraction.
She was sitting in jeans and a sweatshirt when she heard through the speakerphone, “It’s an imperial seal, but not one of the traditional ones. This one combines our glyph for earth with the old imperial house and a dragon slayer. The central icon is strength and balance.”
She leaned against Sern. “It’s a family quilt.”
Sern smiled and kept his arm around her. “A family quilt.”
Teyval said, “Have you guys seen our baby room? Emhara is amazing. Just putting that out there.”
Eudora smiled. “She’s already offered when the time comes.”
Teyval chuckled. “So, we are going to have a new member of the old imperial line. That is extremely interesting.”
Sern snorted. “Goodbye, Teyval. Thanks for the consult.”
He tapped his phone and looked at her. “So, we have received an omen, and it wouldn’t do to ignore it.”
“You are taking orders from fabric swatches now?”
He pulled her onto his lap. “It seems criminally negligent to ignore all the effort that went into that quilt.”
“Well, if you think it will get me into legal trouble, I will consult my lawyer.” She turned her face to his and kissed him, holding him close as he touched her hair twist, and she caressed the one at the back of his neck.
Less than an inch of hair, and she could feel him all day, every day.
They had to give him a discreet link. It wouldn’t do to have a unicorn-type twist in the middle of his forehead.
She had suggested it, and he had declined.
She would get him to loosen up a little. She had time. They had time.