Their tiny hands tickle and prod until they steal the entire bag, running off in victory. Falling on my butt, I hear Lyon snickering and look up to see him strolling toward me.
“A little warning would have been nice,” I tell him.
“Nah, I liked the look of horror on your face when you realized you were next.” He laughs. I raise an eyebrow at him just as Shadow and Gnash brush against my sides. I nod toward Lyon, and all three wolves rush at him. One minute he is standing, the next he is on the ground being mauled by their fierce flicking tongues.
“You’re right,” I tell him, standing over him. “That was quite satisfying, seeing the horror on your face when you realized my wolves were coming for you.” I laugh. Lyon tries to trip me, but I take off running back to the square. He’s hot on my heels, and just as we reach the kids, he catches me.
His arms coil around me, and he growls, burying his face in my neck. His stubble tickles, and I cringe, which makes him do it again. He leads me toward the fires, and I finally see what the children are so hyped about. “I got attacked over marshmallows?” I laugh.
As we settle around the fire, I can’t help but feel content and at peace with everything. The warmth from the fire and the people surrounding us makes it hard for me to imagine ever wanting to leave.
Lyon laughs with some of the men, joking about the fish they caught earlier in the day, while others play music on their instruments, their voices blending in harmony.
As the night draws on, some children have curled up in blankets near their parents, while others play games under the dark sky. I find myself lost in thought, staring into the fire until a hand on my knee brings me back to reality.
“We should try to rest while we can,” Lyon tells me, and my brows furrow.
“What do you mean?”
Lyon smiles. “You’ll see, but come on, let’s go rest. I feel a food coma coming on.” He offers me his hand.
“Shouldn’t we help pack up?”
“No need,” Lyon says, not adding anything else as I see parents carrying sleeping kids toward the huge community hall, which I’ve heard is used for celebrations. “Not everyone wants to walk home with their little ones, so some will sleep in the vast hall. The parents take turns minding the kids.”
Turns out, Lyon was right about the food coma. The more I walk, the fuller and heavier I feel. “I shouldn’t have eaten so much,” I tell him, feeling woozy.
“Wouldn’t have anything to do with the ten smores the kids made you?”
“It would have been rude to say no, and they were so good!” I groan the last word, remembering the sweet gooey goodness. Lyon laughs, leading me inside the castle, and the moment we reach his room, I fall face-first onto the fur blankets.
All three wolves decide to become extra padding, and they move around me, cocooning me in their warmth while Lyon starts the fire in the hearth. When he returns, they move again, allowing him room before curling up around us. It doesn’t take long before I succumb to sleep.
Yet sleep doesn’t remain.
The sudden racket of loud banging jolts me awake. My heart pounds as if ready to break free from my chest. I look toward Lyon, alarm etching my face, but he seems unperturbed. With his eyes still closed, his lips pull into a gentle smile. “Did you hear that?” I ask. His eyes open, peering up at me in amusement.
“Just fireworks, Zirah,” he reassures me, the curve of his mouth growing.
The idea of such a display pulls at my curiosity, and the childlike excitement that bubbles within me is undeniable. “Can we see?” I whisper eagerly. He smiles.
“Anyone would think you’ve never seen fireworks before.” He laughs.
“I haven’t. I’ve seen a flare set off when I was kid, does that count?” I chuckle as he shakes his head. “Believe me, fireworks are the last thing you’re worried about in a cave. The only celebrations we had were the loud sighs of relief after a storm when we realized the cave didn’t collapse and kill us all in our sleep.”
“Oh, you’ll love this then.” He sits up, and I rush to slide my feet into my boots, we quickly get ready, and Lyon leads me downstairs and out of the castle.
He takes my hand, leading me through winding lanes and lively bazaars, the city illuminated under a cascade of colors and light. It feels like a scene out of a magical tale, the air filled with laughter and music, the streets teeming with life and joy. Vendors holler, a few remaining children run about, and there’s an infectious energy that sweeps me off my feet.
“What are they celebrating?” I question, unable to keep the awe from my voice.
Lyon turns to me, his eyes soft under the moonlight. “Their queen . . . You,” he tells me, and I gasp.
We sway to the music, our bodies moving in harmony, and the night turns into a blur of laughter and joy as we wander around watching the fireworks and everyone celebrating.
People dance around the bonfire, and Lyon pulls me back toward the city center by my hand, leading me into the crowd. His body moves effortlessly with the music, and I follow suit, feeling free and unburdened.
We dance until we are breathless, until our feet ache, and our bodies are exhausted. We eventually retire to the castle, only instead of going back to the room, Lyon takes me to the rooftop. Sprawled under the canvas of twinkling stars, we watch more fireworks light up the skies, the smell of smoke and celebration in the air. In this moment, I feel an overwhelming sense of calm and contentment wash over me.
