Page 41 of Mountain of Dragons and Sacrifice

We sat there for long minutes, watching as the sun dipped below the mountains. The deep pink, then purple rays painted the snow on the mountains long after the sun disappeared from sight.

Only once the gray of dusk spread over the mountains did I finally force myself to push away from Evander. “I guess we’d better get back.”

He nodded as he gathered up the blanket and the cushions, stuffing them back into his magical pocket.

I rubbed my arms, trying not to shiver at the loss of the blanket and his arm around me. The cold was completely to blame for why I all but jumped into his arms when he picked me up for the flight back to the eyrie.

The flight only took a few minutes, then Evander dropped through the hole by the waterfall, keeping his back to the water in a way that protected me from most of the spray.

As soon as my feet touched the ground, Evander placed a light hand on my back and steered me toward the kitchen. “Phoebe should have supper for us. Something hot, I should think.”

On cue, my stomach growled loud enough that I could hear it, even over the roar of the waterfall behind us.

Evander glanced down at me, his mouth quirking. He opened his mouth, probably to tease me. But then his stomach gave an even louder, gurgling snarl.

I snorted a laugh, then bent over as more laughs came hard and fast. After the tidal vagaries of emotions of the past few days, it felt good to laugh, even if the giggles held a hint of hysteria.

Evander chuckled, pressing a hand to his stomach. “I’m a dragon. I need food.”

“Just not maidens.”

“Definitely not maidens.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t have any snacks stashed in your pockets.” Grinning, I headed for the tunnel that led to the kitchens.

Evander fell into step beside me, though his gaze darted away almost guiltily. “An oversight on my part.”

“You had snacks, but you ate them all, didn’t you?” I tried to get my laughter under control long enough to give him a stern look. “And you didn’t save any for me?”

“I ate them while inspecting the village with Dorrian.” Evander’s smile tipped wryly.

“I hope you at least shared with Dorrian.”

“Um…”

Before I could think of another rejoinder, we reached the kitchens. Evander slowed his pace, letting me step into the kitchen and gathering area first.

No sooner did I cross the threshold than Daphne jumped toward me, waving her arms as if she was torn between hugging me and gesturing at the room. “Surprise! Congratulations on lighting the candle!”

I halted, frozen in my tracks.

The entire eating space was lit with dozens, if not hundreds of candles in sconces on the tables, in candelabras along the walls, hanging from chandeliers from the ceiling. A veritable feast had been laid out on the center table, including a cake that was three whole tiers and decorated with flowers that couldn’t possibly grow here in the Winter Courts.

Between the long tables, so many people gathered. All of the fae who lived and worked here at the eyrie, including all the rock polishers. Boss Gob and a whole host of his gnomes stood on one of the benches beside the table, their colorful hats pulled to their noses.

But most surprisingly of all, Clarissa, with her baby in her arms, and her husband Dorrian stood next to Phoebe, along with a cluster of other women ranging in age from a little younger than Phoebe to a few I recognized as past sacrifices in recent years. They must have walked from the village while Evander was showing me the sunset.

This was a party to welcome me into this new life here in the Fae Realm.

I wasn’t sure if I was going to laugh or cry.

Perhaps both.

Chapter Eleven

Where is a maiden sacrifice supposed to go from here? The dragon didn’t actually want me as a sacrifice. My village wouldn’t take me back. I was rootless. Homeless.

But not friendless. That was something, at least.

---