Page 303 of Lady of Starfire

“I do not understand,” Scarlett said, Sorin tucking her tighter into this side.

“None of us do,” Ashtine answered. “But we will. In time. As with all things.”

Ashtine turned then, heading back into the depths of the Citadel, and Scarlett and Sorin stepped outside. He Traveled them straight to the den at the Fiera Palace where their family was waiting. They all looked up at their arrival, sad smiles filling their faces as they waited for her to say something.

“I’ve had a shitty day,” she finally said. “I expect everyone to let me win at cards and billiards tonight.”

Cyrus scoffed. “How will that be any different than every other night, Darling?”

“You do notletme win.”

“And we’re not going to start now,” he retorted, raising his glass of alcohol in a cheers motion.

“That’s fine, Darling,” she sighed, sauntering over to the billiards table. “I’ll kick your ass either way. I could use some new shoes.”

Cyrus let out a chuckle as he pushed to his feet from the sofa, making his way to the table.

She caught Sorin’s eye across the room and gave him a soft smile.

The world may look a little different, but she was finally home.

The Brightest Stars

Two Months Later

“You are fidgeting,” Sorin said from where he sat beside her on a small sofa.

“I am not,” Scarlett answered.

He reached over, placing a hand on her bouncing knee, and she sent him a bland look.

“Why are you nervous about this?” he asked.

“I am not nervous. I am excited.”

“I am aware, Love. You have been flitting around the palace since Juliette sent word that the babes were coming.”

“I have not been flitting anywhere.”

“Mhmm,” he hummed, resting his temple against his fist.

Truth was, she was nervous. She knew Fae pregnancies were harder and more complicated. They didn’t last as long as mortal ones, but all that power growing along with a babe took its toll. The actual birth, though, was even more intense.

And Ashtine was doing it twice.

Scarlett had been fretting around the palace. Sorin had told her they did not need to go right away. That it would be hours, possibly a day or two before the babes would be here and Ashtine and Briar would be ready for visitors. She’d tried to keep busy, but the day had dragged on. She hadn’t slept, and it had indeed been the next morning before a flurry of snowflakes had appeared near Sorin. He’d plucked a message from it, a wide grin filling his face. Scarlett had Traveled them to the Black Halls before he’d even said a word.

She knew Sorin was just as excited. She could feel it down their twin flame bond. Briar was like a brother to him. The twins would not be presented to the rest of the Courts and the realm for another week, but these first days? They were just for those the Fae King and Queen wanted to visit. Family and close friends. The rest of the Fire Court would come another day. Briar and Ashtine’s Inner Courts tomorrow or the following day perhaps.

The doors opened, and Sorin was on his feet before Scarlett.

Now who’s excited?she quipped down the bond.

But Sorin was already striding forward to embrace Briar, before the Fae King was turning to her. She threw her arms around him as she whispered, “Congratulations, Briar.”

“Thank you, Sunshine,” he murmured, giving her an extra squeeze. “Are you ready to meet them?”

“Yes,” she said, releasing him to follow him into the suite.

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