Page 30 of Starfall

Rowen frowned. “You are right. Robert is an only child, and Ty only has brothers.”

“Ah. Got it. Men trying to impress other men. Classy. Juvenile as well.”

Rowen nodded. “Nailed it.”

She sipped at the cider and smiled. “It looks like Winter likes to have all the seasons represented.”

“He does. This is going to be quite the party. Will you dance with me later?” Rowen smiled hopefully.

“Sure.” She sipped. “Enough of this cider and I will dance with the tent.”

He chuckled and looked up. “The guests are arriving, and shockingly enough, my family is all on time.”

She inclined her head. “Have fun greeting them.”

“Not necessary. They are coming to us.”

The people who bore a startling resemblance to Rowen greeted Hunter and Orla before brushing past and heading for them. Emery stepped toward Rowen. “There are a lot of them?”

He slid an arm around her waist. “Fourteen at a glance. More will come later.”

“Okay.” She breathed slowly.

He chuckled. “They aren’t going to hurt you.”

“No, but I might get hugged. There were threats earlier.”

Rowen pulled her a little closer. “I’ve got you.”

She leaned against him as Gabi managed to lead the pack, cane and all. Gabi was grinning. “Emery, you look amazing.”

“Thank you.” Emery saw the hug coming and leaned into it. “You clean up well yourself. Does that cane have sparkles? It’s very dashing.”

“It does, and it’s a sword cane.”

“Nice.”

Rowen chuckled. “Emery, these are my parents, Lenora and Davil. Mom, Dad, this is Emery. We have been friends for a while but have begun a relationship of sorts.”

Emery snorted. “Of sorts.”

Emery started to extend her hand when Lenora hugged her. She smelled sweet and soft and comfortable like a mom should. The ripple of magic across Emery’s skin wasn’t her doing. She was being analyzed.

Lenora leaned back with her eyes wide. “Why do I think there is so much more I can’t see?”

“Because there is.” Emery smiled.

“Good answer.”

The sisters and two brothers swarmed around her, introducing themselves and shaking her hands. They all looked at her face and then over at Rowen, who was talking with his parents.

The cousins came next, and Merwin walked up to her with a smile. “Levelle did a good job on your makeup and hair, though I would have gone a bit more elaborate.”

“Good to know. The whole thing caught me by surprise, and I haven’t had to dress this body up before.”

“Well, you did very well. Your waist is astonishingly tiny for someone your size.”

“Okay, I am not sure if that is a compliment.”

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