I caught his hand and squeezed. "I don't think I need to know. I'm also fighting my urge to say the T-word!"
"You're welcome," he told me. "Just tell me you got Aspen a present?"
"Not one I'm giving her in front of everyone, but tell Torian I did not forget, ok?"
"Good," he said, gripping my hand in return. "And the carvings in the leather? I tried to put as many wildlings on them as I could remember. Crows, of course, and there might also be a jevadu, but you'll have to look close to see it." He smiled and stepped back just as Ms. Rhodes ignited Aspen's cake.
There was no other word to describe the impressive display of fae magic as Aspen's cake glowed. Sparklers, glitter, and yes, little candles with flames were all shooting off the top of the thing.
So I raised my voice and sang, "Happy birthday to you...."
Everyone else immediately joined in. "Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Aspen, happy birthday to you!"
Then Torian sang out alone, "And many more!"
Which made everyone laugh. Aspen looked up, met my eyes, and then leaned in to blow out all of the candles and magical effects with a great big breath.
The area went dark.
"Did you make a wish?" Poppy asked.
Aspen scoffed. "That's such an Earth thing to do!" Then she grinned. "Soof courseI did!"
"And I've got Dewleaf blossom sherbet!" Liam announced. "Aspen, cut the cake."
Bracken immediately offered her one hell of a knife, but it was ceramic. Grinning deviously, Aspen took the blade, looked her uncle over, then cut the cake to reveal a pastel blue color on the inside. Paired with the arctic white icing and the pink-and-green floral decorations, the whole thing was perfect. Pieces were handed out, flower sherbet was divvied up, and we all moved to hover around the next big surprise.
"Keir?" I asked. "If you'd do the honors?"
He cleared his throat and clapped his hands together. Then, just to keep up the dramatic show, he even rubbed them like some evil magician preparing his spell before pulling a matchbook from his sleeve, striking a match, and flicking it onto a pile of pre-stacked wood.
It caught immediately. As the warm glow flared up to match the setting sun, I looked over to see Torian twitching his fingers slightly. Clearly, Keir had gotten a little magical help, but the strange thing was how it made me respect Torian a little more. He wasn't just keeping to the letter of our agreement, but he'd completely embraced the spirit of it as well.
Next came presents, and it seemed everyone had one. The paper was tossed onto the fire to burn, and most of the courtiers had picked something safe. One box was opened to reveal a royal purple plant, but it was tiny.
"Mine had an offshoot," Nevaeh explained. "I know it's a summer plant, but..."
"I love it!" Aspen declared. "I hadn't been able to find a Gremlin's Charm; not many made it over."
Nevaeh shrugged. "My aunt had a few, so I snagged one for my room. And now you can grow more!"
"Rain!" Aspen said. "These are amazing for PMS, anxiety, and depression. Come look, and they're purple initially, but when the leaves turn green, you know they're ready."
I shifted through the crowd so I was beside her. "Oh, that's very purple," I said, lifting a hand. "Can I pet it?"
"Yes!" Aspen squeaked, sounding like she was too happy to contain her excitement. "Oh, this is the best birthday ever!"
"Well, you have more presents," I said, taking the plant from her. "We should've brought a table."
Torian chuckled. "Ms. Rhodes, can I have a pass this time?"
"No permanent gates, Torian."
"I can work with that," he agreed, picking two trees beside us and raising his arms.
Green light etched the edges, then the whole thing flared white. Wilder immediately began gathering up Aspen's gifts.
"Where does the gate go?" he asked.
