“Well, that’s obvious.”
“If it were, you wouldn’t have brought it up.” She smirked my way, pulling a kid’s plate in the shape of a raccoon with pre-portioned sections on it. As she arranged meats, cheese, and fruits that she had been chopping across both boards, Ayrie explained, “I have to make a separate one for Bryson, or it will be awholething. He’s just as picky as his father, I swear.”
I chuckled. Ayrie’s voice was softer as she continued. “I know you didn’t grow up in this world, so let me tell you something about it. Humans struggle with believing the universe would give them genuine love. They always think there’s a catch. But, fated mates? Theyareyour true person, or people, created by the Universe for you and only you. They are your perfect match. That connection is so perfect that it is respected by supernatural kind. That relationship is ancient magic from the time of the Ancient Beasts and the creation of Archaics. The bond is sacred. It’s the highest law in our world. Finding a fated mate or mates is what we all want and strive for, but it isn’t without its struggles.”
She met my eyes that were just like hers. “The Universe doesn’t hand you a fated mate without a test, but the connection is the thing that helps you pass it. You’ve been given that gift. Her family may be a problem, butshe’snot. You’ve found a home with people who love you. Don’t ignore that. Listen to your gut.Know that your fated mate bond and instincts will guide you above all else.”
My throat tightened. My eyes burned again. “Fuck, I had no idea how much I missed you.”
Ayrie grinned. “Girl,same! I needed my cousin so bad! Who else am I going to bitch to about Xander and all his tomfoolery?! I didn’t have anyone before you came back! Well, except for Mama, but she doesn’t count.”
My eyebrows shot up. “Xander?! Mr. Always Beat You On the Playground at Races By Pulling Your Plaits To Win?!ThatXander?!”
“You donotremember that! Seriously?!” Ayrie cackled.
“Seriously toyou! You used tohatehim! He’s a coyote-shifter, right? And, youmarriedhim?”
Ayrie threw her head back and laughed. “Yes, girl! I don’t know how it happened, but he’s my fated or something. I think both of us being hard-headed was the Universe’s test for our bond. We’ve been married for nine years now! Gods, we havesomuch catching up to do! How long are y’all staying?”
“I think we were only going to stay long enough to tell the enchantment the news.”
“Okay,hell no, sis.Youhaveto stay longer! I have so much to show and tell you! Bryson needs to know his aunties! Please, at least stay a few days!Please!Pretty please with all the snow cone syrups on top of a triple cone!”
I laughed at her theatrics, yet my heart swelled. That was our old plea when we were kids.
I knew before I even asked the others that we would all be happy to stay.
Flower Crown
BYRD
While the barrier’s magic shielded the enchantment from outside threats and hid the dragons away, I was starting to think it also cast a delusion spell to protect you from stress.
It had been two days now since we had first arrived, and in that short time, I had already forgotten multiple times that we had come here to warn everyone about Lilah and Cooper. I was too busy enjoying and loving my time with my family and friends. We had only been there for an hour before the barrier had been altered so Quinn and her cousins didn’t feel the side effects anymore. As I watched them find relief from the weight of the enchantment, I noticed the tension in my own shoulders ease. I hadn’t even realized how worried I was until I saw their energy, color, and strength return fully and completely.
Still, we slept in that first day. No one set alarms. No one double-checked the gear or pulled out the atlas to plan our next move. We just stayed curled up in warm beds that Ayrie had made in the guest bedrooms and basement. It was just like when I was a kid and we came to visit for the holidays. Quinn and I even stayed in the same bedroom as my parents. Maybe it was the nostalgia, but when I closed my eyes, I swore I could still smell Mom’s apple perfume and Pops’ citrus and herb bodywash lingering in the air. I breathed deeply, feeling the strange, wonderful peace engulf me after the chaos of today. So much had happened, and there was so much still waiting ahead of us.
Yet, it was a brief sigh.
The second day, we ventured out into the city. Talli stayed behind to continue coordinating with the dragon-shifters to further fortify the enchantment’s barrier. But, the rest of us—Quinn, her cousins, Simone, Maisie, Everett, Teddy, Ayrie, Xander, and Bryson—decided to have a bit of a human day and be just tourists. After inspecting the damage from the day before, Quinn had the totaled SUV towed away, and we decided to take the train to explore Chicago. Everett and Teddy split off early to have their own date day ahead of what Everett and I had planned for tonight. Meanwhile, the rest of us toured the city, shopped around, and grabbed coffee from three different places just to debate which one had the best holiday-themed drinks and baked goods. Quinn hadverystrong opinions on the matter. When Quinn and I pointed out the Bean for us to take selfies in front of, Maisie made a joke about how, of course, the lesbians knew where it was, and Quinn and I took a picture of us flicking it, making everyone laugh.
That night, Ayrie pulled some strings and got us reservations at a rooftop restaurant with a panoramic view of the Chicago skyline. It was fancy with its floor-to-ceiling glass windows, glowing candles as the only source of lighting, menus without prices, and a pianist at a grand piano. It was the kind of place that you needed money, magic, or serious connections to get even one table for two on New Year’s Eve. Luckily, Ayrie had all three, plus some extra persuasion from Quinn.
The whole thing was orchestrated to a T. Everett and Teddy sat at the best table in the whole place, where they could see almost all of the city, but where Teddy couldn’t see us tucked away at a long table on the far side. We were chit-chatting andenjoying our drinks while Everett treated this like a regular date. Teddy was made none the wiser.
While we were on our second round of drinks, the pianist transitioned smoothly to a slower, instrumental version of “That’s What I Want” by Lil Nas X. Uncle Everett made eye contact with me as soon as the opening chords played. His nerves were etched heavily along every line of his face as if there was a universe where Thompson would ever say no. I smiled and nodded encouragingly. He beamed.
We all watched as Everett got down on one knee.
Teddy said yes right on the stroke of midnight.
The sky lit up with fireworks, exploding with sparks of gold, ruby, emerald, and sapphire.
Teddy kissed Everett.
It was allflawless.
We stood, clapping and cheering from our table, before we rushed to their table. Teddy turned to us with wide eyes and the sudden realization that we’d all been watching the whole time. As overwhelmed as he was, he was radiating joy.
