Chapter 15
Chapter fifteen
Feasts we saved you some chairs, but we can always add more if needed.”
“And any fighting will result in immediate expulsion beyond the barrier,” Yuri added sternly, moving his gaze between his father and mine. “Courtesy of the spells active within it.”
There was a bit of grumbling from both sides, but we were able to get my parents and the dozen or so ice dragons seated, though we had to intersperse many of them among the other guests.
They looked incredibly uncomfortable, but I had a feeling talking to the kind residents of Willowmere would be a helpful learning experience.
After all, venturing outside of your own comfort zone is the most surefire way to grow.
I led Yuri to the head of the table, where our parents were seated on opposite sides. Lacing my fingers through Yuri’s, I grabbed my glass of champagne and raised it high.
I felt a tingle of magic in my throat, and gave a small nod of thanks to Clove for the vocal amplification spell. “A toast, to each and every one of you, for coming together as one tonight to protect Willowmere—and each other!”
A cheer went up from those assembled, and warmth filled my heart at the sight of so many different people, who had learned to live together in harmony—just as I hoped the ice dragons and fire drakes might learn.
“Please be welcoming to our new friends, the ice dragons, and be patient with them—they have much to learn…” Yuri continued, once the cheering had died down.
Before his father could protest, he added, “And much to contribute. Before we begin this magnificent feast that Mei and the wonderful folks at The Hearthstone Diner have prepared for us this evening, I wanted to take a moment to thank you all, from the bottom of my heart. I wandered into Willowmere searching for a story. What I found, however, was so much more than that.”
He lifted my hand to lips, his pupils expanding until they nearly eclipsed the icy blue of his eyes. “I found a sense of purpose, a sense of belonging, and the warmth of a love I no longer care to live without.”
I was vaguely aware of the way Yuri’s father stiffened in his chair, and the incredulous looks my parents were shooting me, but I only had eyes for Yuri. My world narrowed to the glacial hue of his eyes, and the sensation of my hand in his.
The mounting trepidation I had felt about the inevitable confrontation with my parents melted away like a snowflake before a roaring hearth. If Yuri was brave enough to declare his feelings for me in front of everyone, then I could be brave enough to do the same.
I gave his hand a squeeze and beamed at him. My heart felt so full that it was ready to burst. I didn’t have the words to express how my flame burned for him, so instead, I closed the distance and pressed my lips to his, enjoying the uniquely heady sensation of our magics combining at the touch.
My stomach chose that exact moment to growl, and I felt my ears grow warm when a couple of people chuckled.
Turning to face our audience, I announced in as grand a voice as I could manage, “Without further ado, let the Feast begin!”
A chorus of cheers went up that was even louder than the first. As Yuri and I took our seats, I watched as the residents of Willowmere dug into the food Pyra, Nalini, and our helpers had worked so hard on.
Yuri’s father cleared his throat. “That was…quite the speech, son. I did not know you had it in you.”
I scowled at the rather backhanded compliment, but Yuri gave my hand a squeeze under the table.
“Thank you. And thank you for helping us stop Mikhail,” Yuri said a tad stiffly. “You surprised me.”
I hid my smile. Yuri had learned to fight fire with fire—or in this case, ice.
“Yes, thank you for your…change of heart,” my dad drawled, eyeing the ice dragon uncertainly. “Any later and an entire town of innocent people might have been frozen.”
I kicked his shin under the table, but he didn’t so much as wince.
“My eldest’s refusal to follow orders was problematic,” Moroz agreed. “He will receive punishment in accordance with our fleet’s laws.”
My parents exchanged a glance, but Yuri looked grim. I had a feeling I didn't want to know what that punishment would look like.
“Might I recommend an alternative…punishment?” I asked tentatively. I tried not to wilt under his gaze, but when he didn’t object, I continued, “Why not assign him to assist one of the people he tried to hurt? Like community service?”
He stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Public servitude to lower creatures? That would be far more humiliating than what I had in mind…”
I scowled, ready to correct him, when Yuri gave my hand a squeeze under the table. He shook his head slightly, so I held my tongue.
“I agree. Community service would teach him more than six months in the Sauna Room.” Yuri’s tone was light, but his pupils slitted when he mentioned that room—almost as if he were speaking from experience.
A sauna sounded relaxing to me, but to an ice dragon, being constantly surrounded by heat must be akin to torture.
And to be trapped in a room, surrounded by the opposite element to your own nature…
I shuddered to imagine what it would be like to be trapped in a room made of ice.
I doubted I would last one month, let alone six. My hand tightened around Yuri’s.
“Then it is settled. Mikhail will serve out his punishment here, and the fools who followed his orders will only be sentenced to a month or two in the Sauna.” The frost dragon chief looked rather pleased with himself.
“Very good. We would be happy to check in on him from time to time,” my dad added.
Moroz nodded. “A fitting punishment indeed.”
Choosing to ignore that comment, my dad then pinned his golden gaze on me. “Now that that’s settled, you have some explaining to do, young lady.”
I started squirming in my seat, until Yuri sent a wave of cool magic dancing over my skin. Taking a deep breath, I squared my shoulders and met my dad’s eyes unflinchingly.
“Yuri came here to research Glacius, the founder of his fleet, for his book. At first, we did not exactly…get along. But Yuri helped me when he could have easily turned a blind eye, or even made things harder for me,” I began, my voice gaining strength with every word.
“When he continued coming to the diner, we made a deal; I would help with his research, and he would help me create dishes for the Harvest Feast that could be enjoyed by those who don’t like spice. ”
“Why don’t you try it before it gets cold?” Yuri gestured to the steaming food that lined the center of the table. “Your daughter worked very hard on perfecting it.”
“Here’s the new dish we debuted just for the Feast.” I pointed out one of the many platters we had made early this morning. “It’s smoked frost salmon with an ember-citrus glaze. Not too hot, not too cold, and bursting with flavor. Yuri was the one who came up with the idea.”
I watched anxiously as my parents served themselves and took their first hesitant bites. I watched their expressions closely as scrunched eyebrows gave way to thoughtful looks and then expanded pupils.
“You made this?” My mom raised her eyebrows at me.
“Yes. What do you think?” I held still, resisting the urge to fidget with my hair.
“I think it’s wonderful—the way the glaze brings out the flavor of the fish is fantastic,” she said slowly, as if she could hardly believe I was the one who had come up with it.
“The fish is cooked to perfection, and the seasonings on it and the vegetables pair beautifully, Mei-Mei,” my dad added warmly.
I beamed with pride. It felt like my parents were finally taking my cooking seriously, and that made all the late nights and early mornings feel like they were finally starting to pay off.
“Yuri helped me come up with something that both ice and fire dragons would like.” I rested my head on his shoulder. “I couldn't have done it without him.”
He pressed a kiss to my hair before resting his head on mine.
My parents shared another glance at the display of affection, but held their tongues. From my parents, that practically felt like a glowing endorsement.
Seeing that the food was clearly not poisoned, Yuri’s father also took a bite. His expression went from haughty and disdainful to shocked in a heartbeat. I was going to ask what he thought of it, but before I could he began to practically inhale his food.
“It seems the fire drake’s cooking agrees with you, Father.” Yuri’s lips twitched, as if he were fighting a smile.
Moroz paused, straightening in his seat and deliberately slowing down. After swallowing and clearing his throat, he said rather begrudgingly, “The food is palatable.”
Yuri leaned over and murmured in my ear, “That’s high praise, coming from him.”
“I suspected as much.” Honestly, I was surprised he hadn’t insulted it. But I would take what I could get.
It felt like we were making leaps and bounds of progress today. That made me hopeful for the future, and it felt like a weight had been lifted off my chest.
“I’m impressed you were able to pull all this together so well,” my dad said slowly, his golden gaze sweeping along the banquet and all the people who were enjoying it.
“Perhaps it is time for you to join us in running the diner—as our partner, instead of as a waitress.” My mom smiled warmly at me.
I couldn’t remember the last time she had said she was proud of me, but I think this offer was her way of saying it. Working with my parents instead of under them was a vote of trust and confidence that I had started to wonder if I would ever be able to earn.
And now that I had… I swallowed down the lump in my throat as tears of joy pricked my eyes.
“I would love that.”
Yuri squeezed my hand under the table, but I caught the fleeting expression of longing my parents’ words brought to his face. Turning to Moroz, I watched as he loaded his plate with a second helping of salmon.
“Moroz, would you like to read Yuri’s book once he’s completed it?” Yuri stiffened beside me, but I kept my gaze on his father.
The ice dragon scowled. “He compiled his research into an actual book?”
“He has,” I said proudly. “I’ve only had the privilege of reading snippets of it so far, but he has created a fascinating history of Glacius' adventures, as well as his lasting legacy. Once his book is widely published, I have no doubt it will bring fame and glory to him and your fleet.”
Moroz turned to Yuri with renewed interest. “Your book could bring honor to our fleet?”
Yuri gave a sharp nod. “I may not be the warrior you hoped for, but I have found my own way to contribute to the fleet.”
“A warrior defends his family, his people, and that is what you have done here today.” Moroz’s tone was full of pride, but softened as he continued. “You, my son, are an honorable warrior in your own right.”
Yuri’s throat bobbed, but he gave his father a tentative smile. “Thank you for saying that, Father. It means a lot.”
Moroz’s icy eyes warmed a fraction, and he cleared his throat. Turning to me, he said brusquely, “Thank you for…assisting my son with his research.”
“It was my pleasure.”
He then turned warily to my parents. “I…I would like to…apologize for my…behavior earlier.” His apology was stilted, but I think we were all surprised that he was making it at all.
We were even more surprised when he stuck out his hand.
“From this day forward, the Glacien Fleet will enter into a truce with Willowmere, as well as the fire wyrms—I mean, fire drakes of the Flameborn Fleet.”
After only a heartbeat of hesitation, my dad stood to shake Moroz’s hand.
My heart swelled with joy at seeing two long-standing enemies beginning down the path of reconciliation. I’m sure the road ahead of us wouldn’t be easy, but I had faith we could eventually bridge the divide between our two peoples.
And if there was hope for them, then there was hope for me and Yuri. Maybe fire and ice really could mix, after all. Our icefire proved it.