Chapter Six #3
Two more guards follow, then Caolan comes through and closes the portal. As Percy steps forward, the species leaders ranked behind him—and don’t even get me started on what a migraine it was to get them all here for this—Caolan slips out of camera range and comes back to my side.
Our leaders greet each other, and the simple ceremony begins.
It’s actually rather lovely, and definitely momentous, our peoples coming together in this way after nine thousand years with no contact.
My chest tightens a little as the immensity of it all comes crashing down on me.
I can’t believe I’m right in the middle of such historic events.
As if he knows what I’m thinking, Caolan slips his hand into mine and squeezes. My rising anxiety vanishes.
Don’t read anything into it. It means nothing more than me needing to know there are others in this situation with me.
Percy finishes his speech welcoming the elves and dragons to Earth.
At Rabhya’s suggestion, we avoided mentioning Tish, the CCA, and éibhear during this ceremony.
She thought it should be about unity and positivity rather than associating the migration with the horrific reality of its cause.
Not that the elves and dragons won’t already be thinking about that, but the goal is to showcase a glorious future. Or something.
The king begins his speech, and it’s much the same as Percy’s, just with different words.
I only half listen, leaning against Caolan and resting my head on his shoulder as I mentally rearrange my plans for the evening now that I have to attend this birthday party.
Oh fuck, they’re not going to expect the whole cake-cutting, candle-blowing, speech-giving part, are they?
What am I talking about? Alistair’s involved. He’ll probably want to light the candles using a flamethrower.
“…look forward to seeing connections form between our people. Connections in the workplace, friendships, and romantic relationships. It warms my heart to see that this has already begun, with two of our finest leading the way as always. Caolan, David, may your happiness glow like a beacon of hope for us all.”
What?
One of the cameras swings toward us.
What?
I straighten and step away, but it’s too late. The camera is already panning back, and fucking applause has broken out amongst the people who are supposedly our colleagues and friends, led by our treacherously sneaky leaders.
“Did you know he was going to say that?” I hiss at Caolan, but one glance at his stunned expression gives me the answer. “Never mind.”
King Raeulfr wraps up his speech, Rabhya slashes her hand across her throat, and the cameras are switched off.
“That was…” Caolan shakes his head. “I wish he hadn’t done that. Still, I’m sure there are many people called Caolan and David. Nobody will know it was us.”
Oh, to be so clueless.
“Do you remember how we talked about livestreaming and that visual images of all this would be available for people to watch?”
He nods. “Yes. Like the television. And they found a way to cast the images for everyone who hasn’t crossed over yet to see too.”
I point to the camera that caught us looking all couple-y. “See that? That’s what captures the images. And it was pointed at us. Believe me, everyone saw.”
He studies the camera, then me. “Are you a very recognizable public figure?”
“Are you?”
Looking back at the camera, he sighs. “We’re doomed.”
“David!” Rabhya races over, her face lit up with glee. “That was amazing! Did you know he was going to do that?”
“No. And I wish he hadn’t.”
“Don’t be such a gloomy gus. This is fantastic. The comments section exploded after that, and the number of shares skyrocketed.”
“Shares? Rabhya—”
She waves dismissively. “Please, this is not my first rodeo. As far as the humans know, this is some film student’s final assignment.”
It’s still riskier than I’d like, but she’s done stuff like this before, so I just have to trust her.
“Let me gauge the reaction over the next few hours, but if it continues like this, we’re going to want to set up some interviews, okay?”
“Not okay,” I say, but she’s already walking away, calling to her assistant. “This is not good,” I tell Caolan.
He puts an arm around me. “No.”
So of course that’s when Percy, the king, and Brandt come over. All three are smiling sheepishly.
“Your Majesty, I’m very unhappy right now,” Caolan warns.
The king pouts. Actually pouts. “How better to show everyone that the way forward is through unity than with an example of it? People love a good romance.”
I wince. That’s scarily close to what I was thinking before. Only, I didn’t think I’d be the example shoved into the spotlight.
“It would have been nice to be advised of your plan, Your Majesty. Especially since David and I are not actually in the midst of a romance, and your antics are unlikely to aid me in convincing him it would be a good idea.”
Guilt slashes at me. Maybe it’s wrong of me to lead Caolan on like this when clearly he’s still hoping for something more between us.
Not that I’m completely against the idea. Just… not now. And not until I know a lot more about him.
The king turns to me, eyes wide.
Oh, no.
“David, please accept my most heartfelt apologies if this has made you in any way question Caolan’s devotion to you! He is the best of men, truly.”
His voice has risen, and we’re attracting attention—not that we weren’t already the focus of all eyes. If I could teleport, I would be gone so fast, they’d wonder if I was ever actually here at all.
“David understands that,” Percy soothes, thankfully stepping in to save me. “It’s done now, anyway, and we can only move forward. Let’s get started on our talks so we can finish as much as possible before David and Caolan have to leave.”
“Leave?” My surprise is obvious. “Where are we going?” These treaty talks are the most important item on my schedule. There’s no way I’ll leave before they’re done.
“To your birthday party,” Percy says patiently. “Hopefully we’ll all be able to attend, but you need to be there for all of it.”
I grit my teeth. “I’m sure the party can wait until I arrive. After we’re finished.”
He shakes his head. “No, I’ve been assured it can’t. Anyway, it’s your birthday. It won’t hurt you to have a few hours off.”
“We’ll talk fast,” Brandt assures me. “I am very excited to attend a birthday party. Dustin has been telling me about them. I think when it’s my turn, I will have ponies and a clown.” He frowns. “The clown is the one who performs tricks, correct?”
“That’s a magician,” Percy corrects, leading the way out of the room. “A clown wears face paint and tries to be funny.”
I’m struck with debilitating horror at the thought that Alistair might have arranged for clowns or magicians—or fuck, maybe even ponies. He did say just karaoke and a pinata, right?
I pull out my phone and text Sam to check.
“What’s wrong?” Caolan asks, as usual ridiculously attuned to my mood.
“Do you know if Alistair got a clown for the party?” I stop walking and look at him. “Did you know about this party?”
He nods. “Noah told me yesterday. I did not know it was your birth day,” he says it carefully, as if unfamiliar with the term, “until he suggested I might like to give you a gift.”
So there are going to be presents, then.
I manage a weak smile. “I hope you didn’t go to any trouble.
I don’t even celebrate my birthday anymore…
this party is really more for the others.
A distraction. They needed an excuse to have a party, and my birthday is a good excuse.
” Fuck, I’m babbling. I make myself stop and take a deep breath.
I’m calm. I’ve been calm for a long time, and I’m going to keep it up.
No chaos in the part of my life I control.
Caolan lifts a hand and lays it against my cheek. “It is never any trouble to do things for you.”
Punch to the gut.
Thankfully, there are no clowns, magicians, or ponies at my birthday party. Sam assured me there wouldn’t be, but when dealing with hellhounds, you need to expect some surprises.
Like the fact that it’s not at Sam and Gideon’s place as I expected it would be.
Instead, we’re at Andrew’s—and I guess Noah’s now, too—luxury penthouse.
Karaoke is inside, but those of us who aren’t interested in emulating Celine Dion and Mariah Carey are out on the rooftop terrace.
Whoever was in charge of decorations put floating candles in the pool, and the mocktails are plentiful, thanks to the temporary bar and bartender set up in the corner.
It’s actually a great party.
“This is nice,” I tell Noah, relaxing into the deck chair I claimed.
“Thanks,” he says, “but I can’t claim credit. Sam did the food and drink, and the rest was Andrew and Alistair. Watch out for the pinata, though,” he warns. “I’m not actually sure what’s in it, but they were way too gleeful about it.”
Fucking hellhounds. And Andrew… you’d think that at his age, he’d have settled down some. But noooo, that would be too much to ask. Instead, he’s teaching Caolan the words to “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” so he can have a turn at karaoke. Caolan, to his credit, seems confused and apprehensive.
Dragging my attention away from a scene that would likely cause Whitney Houston to roll in her grave, I turn back to Noah.
“How’ve you been?” I haven’t seen as much of him in the past few days, and I’ve missed him.
He’s a smartass, but he’s intelligent and focused, and I never had to tell him anything twice.
“I’m good,” he declares, waving his hand dismissively. “Busy, you know? But those fireballs don’t seem to have done any lasting damage, and I’ve started doing small exercises to rebuild my magic muscles. Don’t tell Andrew,” he adds quickly.
“Don’t tell me what?” the vampire himself asks, joining us and sinking into an empty chair. Noah groans.
“If you heard that, you heard the rest,” he mutters. “I swear, I’m fine. I’m not overdoing it.”