Page 65 of Crown of Wings and Whispers

“So,” I said, trying to keep a pall from settling over our perfect night, “she took them back to Bridie’s, where they could hide.”

“And just in time. Orion stole all the books, the relics, The Covenant itself. But he didn’t getThe Queevna. And with nothing left to protect, the enchantment was no longer necessary.”

“So they’re the ones who outed me?”

His fingers drew circles on my bare shoulder, possibly the only energy he had left. “They recognized you as DeNoy, when you and Wickham went back to the archives the second time, when you met them as bookmarks, as you say. And when Daphne asked them about the DeNoy, they told her about you.

“Archer said all the while he and my sister were searching for you, she was obsessed, mindlessly so. All she had to do, to prove what you were, was to find yourcloch realta.In all her years hunting for DeNoy, I don’t know that she ever found one living. Generations of those who came before her never found one. They’d been hunted relentlessly millennia ago. Archer said all she had were relics she’d taken from museums that proved they had once been.

“She never once mentioned dragons. At least, Archer never mentioned them to me, and I assure you, he would have had he known.” He rubbed his hand over the spot where he’d drawn the circles as if he could erase the conversation. “So I didn’t know, when I decided to take you as ransom for Wickham.”

I poked him in the ribs. “When you found out, you didn’t think to drop me a note?”

“I considered it. But I believed your ignorance kept you safe. And I wondered if maybe you’d lost your stone and might never know what you were. So I waited, ready to come to the rescue if circumstances changed.”

For a while, I drew those same circles on his chest while we listened to the crackling of the fire. “Seems like months ago, not days.”

Griffon turned his head and strained to see something across the room. “Just about morning. Nearly five o’clock.”

I looked at the perfectly black window and felt no guilt about snuggling deeper into our thick bed of blankets. The fire crackled and whispered, luring me back to sleep.

“So?”

I forced my eyes open again. “What?”

“Was it the most wonderful day of your life?”

I was glad he couldn’t see my blush. “Easily. But…”

“But what?”

“Tomorrow doesn’t have to start if we don’t get out of bed.”

* * *

Persi…

Except for Lennon, everyone who had witnessed Rinky and Felicity’s ceremonies now gathered in a solitary cove of blue water and white sand that was already toasting in the morning sun. Not a chance they were in England.

There were gifts and pastries and treats and a new little mermaid gown hanging on one of the poles holding up the small white tent protecting the food from the sun. But, unlike the last party thrown for Fallon, she was the only child allowed to attend.

Everything was in place by the time Wickham, Annag, and the guest of honor arrived in a blink. Fallon's face lit up immediately at the sight of the pretty little cove. She kicked off her shoes and stockings, hiked up her dress, and rushed into the water until the timid waves reached her knees. She closed her eyes and smiled up at the sun for a moment before turning to face everyone.

"Good morning, Mistress Mermaid," Persi called.

"Good morning, Queen of Light," the girl called back, causing everyone to gasp. No one had ever mentioned Persi's power to the child. And it was an odd title to just pull out of the blue.

Annag waved for her granddaughter to come to her, then she knelt and took her hands but kept her voice light. "Why the Queen of Light?"

Fallon refused to answer, but Persi assumed the child had overheard some conversations. The girl’s attention caught on the dress, and for a moment, her face lit again. But just as quickly, that light was gone and she turned to look into Annag's eyes. "I don't want it."

"You don't want the dress?"

Fallon nodded.

"Are you so sure it's for you?"

She nodded again, and the water in the cove began to churn. She found Wickham and gave him a dirty look. "He wants to take the ocean from me."

---