Twelve

Chapter Twelve

The Feast of Beltane came more quickly than Lachlan had expected. He stood wearing his pale green suit, wanting nothing more than to get this done. At the same time, he wanted the event to last as long as possible. It was probably the last time he’d ever see Emma. How did mortals deal with such powerful conflicting emotions?

Strangely, Finn was nowhere to be seen, though his work was evident everywhere. Lachlan was once more in the banquet hall where they had held the Feast of Ostara. He stood on a raised platform at the far end of the room, almost in the exact spot where Emma had been made the Queen of the Springtime Fae when the Holly King infused her with half of the magic of the Wheel of the Year.

Lilac trees had grown into the wood paneling of the room, merging with the structure of the building itself. Their branches flowed along the ceiling, covering it in a carpet of green leaves. Magic coursed through the floors, the walls, the ceiling, even the crystal of the chandelier hanging above him.

Hayden had accidentally unleashed her own power on Ostara while trying to protect her friend. At the time, Lachlan had been dumbfounded at the strength of her magic. Now, he completely understood.

When you loved someone, anything was possible. If only Emma loved him, too.

“My liege.”

Lachlan turned to see Finn standing behind him. Finn bowed low, one hand over his chest, then stood.

“I wondered when you were going to show up,” Lachlan said.

“There’s been a lot to attend to.”

Lachlan nodded. “It’ll be easier for you once Hayden has control of her magic and can help.”

Finn’s lips fluttered into a brief smirk. That was odd. Lachlan had never seen such an expression from him before.

“She’s made great strides, my king.”

“Lachlan. We’re in the mortal realm.”

“Right. Lachlan.”

“I don’t know why you wanted to have the feast here,” Lachlan said. “The Feast of Beltane is for our court only. It’s supposed to take place in our realm.”

“About that… The actual Feast of Beltane is taking place in our realm for those in our court, as usual. This is a somewhat different celebration.”

Lachlan turned as a glowing white portal opened behind him. A wintery blast of arctic air swept past him as the Yuletide Court stepped into the room. First Lord Snow and his mate, who was ironically named Spring. The huge man was the personification of his name, wearing a formal white uniform with rows of gold buttons running in two diagonal lines across his massive chest. The red trim around his collar matched the red glow from his eyes.

Lady Spring had her arm hooked with his. She wore a golden dress that seemed to capture the rays of the sun, its sparkling light gleaming within the citrine gems that studded the combs in her blonde hair. The pair smiled at him, Snow bowing and Spring curtseying before they headed toward the table they had occupied during the Feast of Ostara.

Another couple followed, this pair both dressed all in white. Both had golden eyes that glowed with magic. The man had dark hair and the woman bright red, each of them wearing a white fur cap. The White Stag and the White Doe, now the Lord and Lady of the North Wind. They wore slacks, with form-fitting jackets with two rows of gold buttons running vertically along their fronts. Both bowed toward him, then followed after Lord Snow and Lady Spring.

Finally, the Winter Queen stepped through, dressed in a shimmering gown that was such a light blue, it was almost colorless. She wore her crown, the platinum spikes rising around her pale blonde hair reminiscent of a star. The man at her side wore a suit of bright red with a single row of gold buttons running up his jacket and a black belt with a shining gold buckle. Though his mouth was obscured by his full white beard, Lachlan could see that Lord Kringle was smiling by the way his eyes crinkled at the corners. The Winter Queen inclined her head slightly in Lachlan’s direction before a broad smile brightened her face.

What the hell were they so happy about? And why were they dressed in their Fae attire instead of dressing for the mortal realm? Lachlan’s heart began to pound as a feeling of unease grew within him.

They made their way to their table while another portal opened just as theirs closed. This one was bright orange, its heat driving away the chill from the Yuletide Court. The rich song of cicadas echoed in the banquet hall as two men stepped through, their visages as disgruntled as those of the Yuletide Fae’s had been happy. Both men were tall, with dark brown hair and malachite-green eyes. They wore dark green tunics over eggshell-white shirts with loose sleeves and brown hunting leathers tucked into riding boots.

Lords Verdant and Game…

“Please tell me Beast knows that the Huntsman is coming to the Feast of Beltane this year,” Lachlan murmured to Finn.

The Lord of Summer Game and the Lord of Awakening Beasts, Finn’s counterpart in Lachlan’s court, had been rivals for as long as the Wheel of the Year had been turning. Beast considered hunting for sport outside of the cycles of nature and considered the Huntsman—Lord Game—his sworn enemy. The Huntsman only ever seemed amused by Beast’s rage.

“They both know to behave,” Finn murmured back.

A woman stepped through the portal behind them, dressed much the same, aside from the red cloak that was fastened at one shoulder and draped behind her. Her red hair was plaited into braids, some piled upon her head and some cascading down her back. Her emerald eyes sparked with malice as she glared at Lachlan, openly seething. She stepped forward as their portal closed, then turned and strode toward their table.

Lachlan nodded toward her while whispering, “Can you tell me why the Court of the Summer Fae all look like they want to rip my head off?”

A final portal opened before Finn could respond. At least by now Lachlan wasn’t surprised by it. Its light was a deep purple with streaks of black. Another set of men stepped through, both tall and lean, with hair dark as a night sky. Black leather armor encased their forms, the chest plates emblazoned with a holly leaf in silver, the symbol of the Holly King. Lords Change and Solace looked profoundly uneasy as they glanced around the banquet hall. They bowed deeply toward Lachlan, then stepped aside as the Holly King emerged.

Lachlan wasn’t sure what he expected, but it wasn’t this. The Holly King was also dressed as if for battle, though he’d been wise enough not to come to the feast armed. His armor was more ornate than that of his Lords, with bits of obsidian metal worked throughout. A silver holly leaf held a dark purple cloak in place at his right shoulder. His lime-green hair was pulled back with a tie and his features were drawn in barely contained fury. He glared up at Lachlan from beneath a furrowed brow. The trio headed toward their table as their portal snapped shut behind them.

Lachlan angled his body so no one in the room could see his face, then leaned closer to Finn and muttered in a low tone, “You need to tell me what the hell is going on right now.”

Finn actually had the gall to smile. He reached up and rested his hands on Lachlan’s shoulders and gave them a squeeze. What in the realms was going on? Finn was never so familiar with Lachlan—with anyone, aside from Hayden. Were they overthrowing him? Lachlan couldn’t believe Finn would do such a thing, but he couldn’t think of a single reason that all of the highest members of the courts of the Wheel of the Year would be at the Feast of Beltane.

The double doors at the end of the room swung open. Lachlan wheeled around, ready for anything. At least, he thought he had been. Nothing could have prepared him for what he saw.

Beast entered the chamber with Hayden on his arm. And he was wearing a suit. A full suit.

Lachlan had never seen the Lord of Awakening Beasts wearing so many clothes. He still wore his leather pants, but also wore a leather vest over a linen shirt that was tucked into them. The sleeves were rolled up past his forearms and the shirt was only laced up to his collarbones. He still looked abjectly miserable, his lip curled up in what had to be a perpetual growl. He scanned the room, his eyebrows flying up when he saw the Huntsman. Hayden made a visible effort to hold Beast back and murmured something. He flashed his teeth, which only made the Huntsman smile. Hayden murmured something else, and Beast settled down.

“She certainly has come a long way in a short time,” Lachlan said.

“You have no idea.”

Hayden was wearing a gorgeous lavender dress embroidered with spring flowers and studded with amethysts and peridots. She was the only one in the room smiling more broadly than the members of the Yuletide Court. When she and Beast reached the center of the room, he released Hayden’s arm and stalked over to the last empty table, throwing himself into a chair while he glowered at the Huntsman.

Lachlan’s attention returned to Hayden. She clasped her hands together and curtsied low. What was she up to?

“My king.” She rose and said, “I was not prepared to welcome you properly at the Feast of Ostara, but hope to make up for that now.”

She lifted her arms, and as she did, the lilacs above began to move, their branches creaking as thick clusters of pale purple flowers burst into bloom, their sweet fragrance filling the air. The flowers began to glow. Little wisps of light floated down from them, hovering in the air and adding a gentle illumination to the banquet hall. Their light caught in the crystals of the chandelier, casting rainbows on the ceiling and walls. It was beautiful, but not as beautiful as the next sight.

Hayden stepped aside as a woman appeared in the doorway at the far end of the hall. She wore a white gown that trailed behind her and a veil covered her face. Diamonds and crystals were interspersed throughout an embroidered pattern of vines so intricate it had to have been made through magic. She held a bouquet of spring flowers—daffodils, irises, and tulips in every color.

Lachlan’s heart pounded, his mind spinning with thoughts that were almost incomprehensible. Had Finn and Hayden already found him another bride? They wouldn’t have. They knew better than most that Lachlan’s queen had to be someone he could love and who could love him. He hadn’t had a chance to move past Emma. He knew he needed to move on. And yet… Part of him wondered, hoped, didn’t dare to wish, that this woman gliding toward him might be her.

“Finn…” Lachlan felt a crackle of warning in the name, his control of his own magic slipping. The lights glowed brighter, a tremor passing through the room as the lilacs spread further throughout the structure.

“It’s okay,” Finn whispered. “Trust me, Lachlan. It really is okay.”

But for that to be the case…

The woman walked up the stairs, Hayden following, and paused in front of him. His hands were shaking as he reached out to lift the veil to reveal Emma’s lovely face. She stood before him, a huge smile gracing her features and tears glittering in her eyes. Lachlan’s breath rushed out of him even as an enormous energy flooded through his body.

“Emma,” he whispered.

“I’m here,” she said, and laughed.

“You don’t have to do this.”

“I know.” Her smile faded and she stepped closer. “I want to do this. I want to be with you, Lachlan. Forever.”

He grabbed her arms and pulled her close, pressing his lips to hers in a crushing kiss. This had to be real. It had to be, because he couldn’t stand it if it were otherwise. She dropped her bouquet and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back with just as much passion. Her magic flowed through him and his through her, as it was meant to be. As it would always be.

“Um, guys…” Hayden said.

They pulled back from the kiss as the floorboards beneath them groaned. Sinewy forsythia pushed through the minute gaps between the wood, merging with them in some cases and pushing them aside in others. Bright yellow flowers burst out from their branches. More flowers popped into view among their roots, clusters of crocuses, daffodils, tulips, and irises dotting the room and turning it into a springtime paradise.

Lachlan turned back to Emma and said, “Are you sure?”

“I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.” She angled her head to the side and said, “I just need one thing from you.”

“Anything.”

She smiled and turned back toward the door, calling out, “Junebug.”

The little gray cat scampered into the room, darting between the flowers as she made her way to them. Even she had a lace collar around her neck that looked a bit like a cape. She stopped at Emma’s feet, crouching low and wiggling her bottom.

“Don’t you even think of running up this dress with those claws,” Emma said. The cat mewed plaintively, and Emma smiled, kneeling down to pick her up. “You need to undo what you did to Junebug. She’s been under spells long enough.”

“But she said—”

“She said she wanted to be with me. She doesn’t have to change what she is for that to happen.”

Lachlan smiled, then reached out and swept his hand over Junebug’s head, pulling his magic from her as he did. She gave a little shudder, then looked over at Emma. She nodded, and a moment later, Junebug shifted into her pooka form, though a much less toothy version. Once more Junebug turned her focus to Emma, her body stiff with worry. Emma smiled and hugged her tighter.

“Don’t you have something for Lachlan as well?” Emma encouraged.

The pooka smiled and reached into her collar, pulling out two rings. Emma set her down, then took the rings and straightened.

“I didn’t have a choice when I stood here before,” Emma said. “But I do now. And I choose you.” She lifted his hand and slid a large ring of pale gold, channel set with peridot, onto his ring finger, then handed him a smaller ring in a similar, if much more delicate motif, with a diamond at its center.

Lachlan could barely find his voice. He nodded, then grasped her hand and slid the ring onto her ring finger.

“I choose you as well.”

Emma smiled, then reached up and threw her arms around his neck, kissing him again. Though the emotion swelling through him was just as great, there was a peacefulness to it now that tempered his power. They broke off the kiss and turned toward the room, taking in looks that were encouraging from some and what Lachlan was now certain were envious from others.

“I present the Queen of the Springtime Fae,” Lachlan said.

Everyone in the Court of the Yuletide Fae rose with applause, those who had once been mortal cheering. The other courts stood more slowly, clapping grudgingly.

“We all must work to restore the balance of the Wheel of the Year,” Lachlan said. “Together, I believe it is possible. We stand ready to assist the Courts as best we can.”

While the Yuletide Fae merely nodded, the members of the other courts looked confused or even offended. Emma stepped closer, hooking her arm into Lachlan’s.

“I think what he means to say is, we look forward to coming to all of your weddings soon.”

A mix of scoffs and laughter rose at that. The Summer Queen openly sneered, still as angry as ever. She rose from her seat and summoned a portal in one graceful movement, stalking through it, Lord Verdant right behind her. Lord Game cast a salute to Beast before following. Once their portal closed, the Yuletide Fae opened theirs as well. They each bowed or nodded in Lachlan and Emma’s direction before leaving. The moment the Yuletide portal closed, the Holly King summoned his own, scowling as he strode toward it.

“Wait,” Lachlan called out.

The Holly King turned and stared at him.

“Our offer isn’t hollow,” Lachlan said. “We know how to balance the power of the Wheel of the Year now. We can help.”

“I don’t need your help,” the Holly King said.

Lachlan shrugged. “Then know you have our thanks.”

The Holly King narrowed his eyes, his lip curling up in disgust, then he turned and stepped through the portal. Lord Solace followed, but Lord Change lingered for a moment. He bowed low to Lachlan and Emma, then hurried through the portal. It snapped shut behind him.

“Well, that was something,” Emma said.

“It certainly was,” Finn agreed.

Hayden started hopping up and down. “Do I know how to throw an event or what? And it is so much easier with magic.”

“Maybe let’s give them a moment.” Finn hooked her arm in his and led her from the room.

Beast stood and said, “Finally.”

He tore his vest and shirt off, tossing them aside. As he passed near them, he made a clicking noise. Junebug’s ears perked up and she ran to him, scurrying up his leg to perch on his shoulder. They followed after Finn and Hayden, leaving Lachlan and Emma alone.

Lachlan lifted his left hand, holding Emma’s so he could see their rings together. They had to have been crafted by magic. Her dress, the room, all of it was done with a tool she had rejected so recently.

“There was certainly a lot of magic involved in this,” Lachlan said.

“The best kind. Love.” She stepped closer, squeezing his hand tight. “I don’t know how it happened so quickly or how it’s already so strong, but I love you, Lachlan.”

He had never heard more beautiful words. A rush of power flowed through him, spilling out into the room and making more flowers bloom. She smiled as she noticed them, leaning into his chest.

He pulled her close and said, “I love you, too.”

Emma smiled up at him. “Then this is our very own fairy tale. And one I’m sure will have a very happy ending.”

“It will have a happy everything,” he said. “For there is no greater magic than us.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

He bent his head to hers and sealed the promise of their joyful future with a kiss, the balance of spring restored.