3

The waking of fairy children had gone ridiculously well. The plan was to do more, but I'd done so many that everyone agreed to get more adults woken. Plus, the people helping us were about to be on summer vacation and that would be a huge help.

Someone joked that we could hire all the fucking supe teachers over break to help us with what we needed.

Except it was a genius plan and the nobles immediately got into it. They had huge estates or castles where they could basically have summer camp at and keep kids safe while their parents worked. If we had help and could acclimate them to the world now.

Over a few weeks, it turned into something huge, and with the help of our allies, we had dragons and shifters we trusted with kids willing to come as well. They were going to be watching their own kids, so it was like a big playdate basically.

And we'd provide their kids activities, fun, and food they could never have just sitting at home.

So right before finals, there was an awakening of kids who were younger but not like little kids. Ten to fourteen mostly. A few outliers snuck in, but everyone who knew how to mostly take care of themselves or the basics but would still need to be watched.

During our finals, it was basically a huge break for everyone and a lot of celebrations. The parties and food-fests that I'd ordered several noble families to hold for the Guardians as punishments were finally happening.

And because I'd seized the assets to make it happen basically. They weren't going to do it otherwise even when I'd declared it and had full authority to do it.

Shocker, right?

No, it wasn't at all, but it was fun to get to take a whole hell of a lot more and leave those families in shambles after all they'd done.

But the parties happened, and now that all of the Guardians were awake, it was a reason to celebrate more than just a deserved break. The huge influx of the rest made for some tense moments between light and dark fairies who weren't ready to switch gears from the war being over, but that was to be expected.

The good part was how fast everyone jumped on the issues and put out the fires. Those who had been awake for years and seen how nice peace and working together could be were the first to shut the tension and shit down. The last thing people who had lived in war and tasted peace and good times wanted was to go back to war.

It was a very, very powerful motivator.

Finals ended and then it was working out the kinks to all of the plans to get more and more done over the summer and for the kids. I felt like all I did was hop around from small fire to small fire in Faerie and make a million different little decisions to fill in the gaps. I met Neldor at dozens of squabbles and issues like that, and the looks we kept exchanging that we needed a breather were comforting.

But not funny. We were going to break soon.

It was like I blinked and it was graduation. I sat there with Izzy, Julian, and Darby as we watched Lucca, Hudson, and Neldor graduate.

Well, Juan too. We were including him because his asshole parents didn't even show up.

I seriously was about to beat on those dragons… In both forms.

It was really great to see and I was proud of all of them, all they'd been through and accomplished.

Then came the whirlwind of parties. The Vogels had a huge one since it was their eldest who had graduated.

Of course, I had to attend that.

The commanders threw one for Neldor, and Faerie was ready to celebrate, especially the dark fairies since he was their last royal.

Of course, I had to attend that as well.

Then the Von Thanns had one with the whole sloth since Lucca was going to be their Alpha one day. They went all out and also used it to act as if there weren't still issues between Mr. and Mrs. Von Thann. Or even Lucca and his dad.

And yeah, I had to attend that as well.

So as much as I was partied out and over the whole graduation celebration by then, I knew it would look bad if didn't do something as their mate.

Even if Lucca and I had broken the bond.

It was an "intimate" dinner on the terrace of my castle overlooking the water. I wanted it to be that way, but with that many people, it wasn't exactly a small gathering.

Lucca, his parents, and his siblings. A few of Mr. Von Thann's Betas tried to sneak in, but we promised they were safe.

Hudson, his parents, and siblings… And their guards. A few cousins tried to sneak in as well but yeah, they managed.

Neldor and Taeral as his godsfather.

Lageos of course. Then Julian and Darby. We felt bad for Juan, but Izzy promised she would take the dragon out with some fairies who knew the world well and they could have a friends night before they started their new important jobs.

Oh yeah, and Iolas managed to snag an invite.

"I'm honestly shocked all of the commanders didn't show up," I said with a sigh when he arrived looking ready to get kicked around.

"I lost twenty bucks to Izzy," Julian muttered, nodding when I glanced at him. "I was sure Shael or Stefanie would figure out a way to help you get more estrogen in here or be able to act as an older sister or aunt for you. Izzy said they were worried you'd finally snap."

"Isabella is a wise woman," Taeral muttered as he accepted a drink.

So clearly, the topic had been debated.

"Thank them for wanting to try but showing restraint," I muttered right back, glad when he winked at me.

"Thank you for having this," Queen Sasha greeted, kissing my cheeks. "This is exactly what we needed after all the loud parties and huge events. No one can ever just have calm or joint celebrations."

"It's exhausting," King Xavier agreed, kissing my hand. "This is lovely among friends."

"That's what I was going for, so thank you for understanding," I replied.

"Anyone who knows you knows you are genuine and hate huge and loud," Mrs. Von Thann said as they joined us with the guards who'd gone to pick them up. "And I agree, this is exactly what we've been needing as well. Thank you for the gracious invitation."

"Yes, it was a shock to receive," Mr. Von Thann muttered, kissing my hand as well after Mrs. Von Thann hugged me.

"We're never going to besties, but we've been through way worse than a dinner together," I said easily, trying to let him know it was all on hold and I would play nice if he would. I saw the relief in his eyes and was fairly sure Mrs. Von Thann made it clear he was dead meat if anything went badly.

Good.

Everything was going pretty well until we were about to sit down and Hudson's youngest sibling, his sister Kagen, spoke up. "Can we see your mom? I want to talk to her like Mommy did."

Queen Sasha looked horrified and couldn't seem to get her mouth to work, and I felt really bad for the little girl whom I'd barely had a chance to even talk to before.

I squatted down in front of her and smiled. "Have you ever seen movies where people go to cemeteries and visit their loved ones who have died?" I waited until she nodded, seeming confused. "That's what your mom did. She went to pay her respects to my mom since she passed away. They didn't have a conversation like you probably thought with what you heard."

She slowly nodded. "Mommy was telling Daddy that she cries every time she thinks of coming here and the pain it must cause you. She feels it after she talked to your mommy."

"Yeah, it hurts. You're mom's a nice person like that."

"Sorry you're jealous," she whispered, probably realizing she'd stepped in it.

I smiled at her. "You don't have to apologize." I reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear. "Just appreciate your mom is still alive and give her more hugs, okay?"

"Thank you, Princess." She hurried over to Sasha, and the large dragon still seemed horrified and unable to speak.

"Sasha, it's fine," I told her when I saw she was blinking back tears. "Seriously. Her hearing's awesome or…" I studied Kagen a moment. "Kagen, did you hear me say I was jealous your mom was worried about you more than upsetting me?" I waited until she nodded. "Did your dad respond to what your mom said about mine?"

She frowned.

"She's a telepath like you and Aunt Tanesha," Hudson whispered, catching on first.

I slowly nodded, studying Kagen still. "Maybe. She said she was sorry I was jealous. I didn't say it." I met Sasha's eyes. "But I did think it. You were worried more about the trouble Kagen could be in instead of it being embarrassing to you. I thought..." I shrugged. Yeah, jealous about covered it.

"Except no one can ever get anything off of you," Lucca cut in. "Tanesha says you're impossible to get much from."

"The princess just said ‘jealous,' and it sort of echoed when Mommy looked upset," Kagen defended. "It hurts my head sometimes."

I snorted. "I bet." I cleared my throat and rubbed my arm, shooting Sasha and Xavier an apologetic look. I didn't mean to be amused by their daughter's discomfort.

"Am I special like Aunt Tanesha?" Kagen asked excitedly, catching up with what Hudson said.

Xavier squatted down and kissed her nose. "You have always been special, my darling daughter. Each of our children is special and perfect." He waited until she nodded. "But yes, you might be a telepath. We will speak with your aunt." He shot me a look but wasn't surprised.

Which I was surprised about.

He sighed and picked her up, standing with her. "There have been a few times the last month where she said something and I had a moment to think if I'd said something out loud or not. But you assume you did, and everything is so busy that…" He shrugged.

Fair enough.

"Can we make that rune you invented into a charm?" I asked Julian. I cleared my throat and looked at the Vogels. "Not to overstep, but… I remember those headaches."

They shared a look and Sasha gave me a kind look. "Yes, but you were going to be the most powerful telepath ever, Tamsin."

I raised an eyebrow at her. "And as Lucca said, even your sister can't get anything from me. I'm fairly certain your daughter heard an echo of what I thought off my own barrier. At eight. That's powerful." I gestured between them. "You're both fucking powerful. I've seen your son race up the side of mountains better than fairies. That's powerful."

"She means without our wings," Neldor defended. He was staring down Iolas and Taeral who looked like they swallowed down something sour.

"He does it better than I do without my power," Lageos said easily with a shrug. "Juan is impressive, but Hudson is a beast and takes it seriously. His coordination is top-tier. You'd fall without your damn wings, Iolas. And you pick the wrong holds, Taeral. Hudson doesn't make that mistake. I'd put money on him doing better than any dragon alive."

The gobsmacked look on Hudson's face was amusing.

I simply winked at him before looking at his parents again. "And I know how much you love your children. You practically have cartoon hearts around you when you look at any of them."

Lageos stepped up to take the heat off of me. "But any good parent should work to understand them as well. Taeral can have his sister work with you both and use runes to see what your daughter will go through. I couldn't understand what Meira went through with visions, but I could with Tamsin's telepathy. Sitting somewhere busy and not being able to turn it off was horrible."

"That's smart," Xavier accepted. "Thank you. Once we confirm she has the gift."

Meaning he didn't want to declare it early or in that setting. Fair enough.

I winked at Kagen. I could let it go for now… But I would still butt in later. Not to be mean or that I didn't trust the Vogels to be good parents. I did.

I just knew the hell that was having telepathy.

Irma and the kitchen chefs at the castle outdid themselves for the meal. She had jumped in right away and made it clear that for my first dinner party hosted in my home of any importance, it would shine.

Or she would end people. The threats she had laid out if anyone fucked with the event were honestly scary. She'd made it clear that she had Lageos on her side and they would dump bodies in the ocean to be eaten.

Okay then.

She came out with a few of the fairy chefs with the first course, all of them bowing to Lageos, Neldor, and me before the guests. "Given the importance of tonight's celebration and at the urging of our beloved ruler to show her sincerity, the menu is the royal thirty-six courses."

"That's unexpected," Mrs. Von Thann whispered before she could stop herself, dipping her head to me.

I decided to handle this so poor Irma wasn't the one to do it. "We all need a break and more relaxing. That doesn't mean I would ever disrespect an important celebration or tradition. Plus, you are the honored guests at my first official dinner party at my castle." I glanced around at the others. "For those of you not familiar with Faerie's practices, there are a few you need to know."

Neldor cleared his throat and I nodded for him to go ahead. "Basically, we don't waste food. There is no offense taken if a course or dish isn't to your taste, unlike other cultures. We all have different tastes. Most would think refusing a plate while dining with a royal to be the ultimate offense.

"We believe in the opposite, and wasting the hard work by pushing food around the plate is disrespectful. There are people who will gladly eat any plate you do not want or don't feel comfortable trying. It's seen as a perk of having the guard duty at any event at the castle. Guardians take it home to their families who would never have a chance to try it otherwise."

"Also, sharing plates is acceptable," I added, nodding when people seemed surprised. "You've seen how informally we eat even at meetings with the commanders. That's common. It's not all that informal. We're garbage disposals. The lines get a bit blurred."

"How would you recommend us handle those traditions with younger children, Your Highness?" Mr. Von Thann hedged, looking a bit nervous.

I looked at Neldor, Iolas, and Taeral. They had more experience than I did.

Iolas nodded that he had it. "We normally seat the younger children between or next to the parents. As the oldest, I used to sit next to the youngest if my parents were going to be invested in the discussions. I would give my sibling a taste off my plate, and if they didn't like it, I would hand their plate back to the server and eat my own food."

"That's normal," Taeral agreed. "But by the age of your children, they know the dishes or maybe a few here and there if they suddenly are in a fancier setting. Most know not to dive in unless they're sure what they're eating."

"It's also important we teach our children that because of other foods in the human world that can hurt us," I added, trying to explain probably how the habit and tradition started.

"That makes perfect sense," Sasha accepted. They ended up changing up the seating arrangements a bit, and the younger kids seemed happy that the dinner would be more like a tasting game instead of something fancy and rigid they had to sit through.

A typical twelve-course menu normally went: an hors d'oeuvre, amuse-bouche, soup, appetizer, salad, fish, first main course, palate cleanser, second main course, cheese course, dessert, and mignardise. A formal thirty-six-course menu wasn't simply three of each or three twelve-course menus back to back. That would be… Well, probably not silly, but it would be weird to most.

And most people wouldn't want three different soups. Probably not three types of fish… Depending on the fish, but we didn't have normal fish like in the human world. So we were having a fish comparable to salmon, a crustation like lobster, and a type of shark steak. The kind of shark that Hudson had eaten as River.

I thought he'd like that for his graduation dinner.

And we had more palate cleansers and spread out. It was all well done and supes ate a lot anyways. Some of the courses were nothing more than a large fancy spoonful of something cool.

Irma did a great job explaining all of this. "Printing the menu might seem crass in some settings but in Faerie, it's considered a keepsake, especially when dining at the royal palaces. I believe humans do it at weddings to put in scrapbooks, but many would frame their menus from when they ate at the palace with the heirs or queens and hang them on their walls."

The servers handed them out in a protective wrapping in case anyone spilled or there was an issue. It was tasteful, not like a baseball card holder. Sort of like an insert for a frame that needed to be snapped in.

It was well received, especially when Sasha and Xavier clearly knew this part. Good.

Irma and I agreed to have five courses of full plates of hors d'oeuvres and I was glad for that. The kids—or even adults—could take one bite-sized something to try, and if they didn't like it, no harm. The rest of the plate could be handed off or given back for someone to take home to their loved ones.

I knew a lot of people would probably think it was a distasteful way to handle food, but I honestly liked it. I thought it was charming. Not wasting food and making sure someone got to enjoy it was the priority.

Wasn't that how life should be?

What shocked me was when Julian was the first person to send something back. He was sitting to my right and he sampled something after we all had our plates and then caught the gaze of a server. He shook his head and they came and collected the plate. Julian thanked them and reached for his water, giving me a subtle wink.

"You did that on purpose to show the others it was fine,"I said in our minds.

"Yes, but I also cannot eat thirty-six courses and not explode, my sweet mate. So I have to be selective. It was lovely to try, but given what else is on this menu that I'm excited for, let someone have a cute moment sharing with a partner like we do."

"This is why I love you so much."I smiled when he couldn't hide his shock. I meant it. He always thought about the little things like that when he paid attention.

"This is amazing, cream puff," Lucca moaned after trying the second plate.

Everyone froze, but he didn't notice at first, happily eating another bite.

"Twit," I sighed, rubbing my fingers over my forehead. I ignored when he did a double take and winced, focusing on his family. It was probably better to just get this out of the way. "Lucca and I have decided—we've—"

"I've asked Tams out on a few dates to see if we're ready or want to maybe have a relationship," Lucca said, standing and staring down his family… Namely, his younger brother, Jason. "We are not telling people or making that public. If you do, you are dead to me. This is about us, not the family, sloth, fairies, or both fucking worlds."

"And I support you in that stance," Mrs. Von Thann said firmly. "The men of this family have behaved abhorrently regarding this match. If it happens again, those of us who have not will be leaving the family. We're clear on that."

I couldn't hide my shock when Lucca's two sisters whom I'd never even met before firmly nodded their heads as well. Wow.

"Thank you," Lucca whispered, looking touched. "Really. So far, it's been…" He looked at me.

I smiled. "I think we're doing fine. We became much better friends and care enough about each other to make sure we're always being good friends first. You make it easy on me and I try to make it easy on you."

"Yeah, you do," he accepted, winking at me before sitting down.

"On the topic of making things easier or maybe consistent without any misunderstandings," I hedged, not sure if he wanted to talk about this with others around.

"You want me to sell my condo," Julian muttered.

"Yes—what? No," I hurried to say, hating how he busted me by catching me off guard.

"Oh, your nose grew there, Pinocchio," Iolas drawled.

I shot him the look he deserved. "I wasn't ready for that." I sighed and shot Neldor a look.

His eyes flashed shock. "You want to discuss this? Now?"

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, because we have so much free time to—I can't think of any time this next week we could discuss it. In between shoveling food in our mouths? And while they're all here?"

"Juan's not," he reminded me.

"Juan's thrilled over his position and having a life of his own not under his parents' thumb," I drawled. "He told me to just let him know where he's sleeping that's protected." I felt bad when Xavier and Sasha looked uncomfortable because we were talking about their allies… And also, they agreed with us that the Guis were assholes to their children.

"Well, you can't keep us in the dark now, Tams," Lucca said with a nervous chuckle.

But Neldor gave me a look to let him handle it.

Gladly.

However, I was getting a bit uncomfortable with how often I was fine with letting him do that.