Page 91 of Fated or Knot

I gasped. Though I’d been halfway expecting the news, given the rooms, I thought she was going to make me earn it. There were no tests? Just straight to the training? My wings fanned in place, practically vibrating.

Fal touched the small of my back, meeting my gaze with a slow smile full of Unseelie mischief.

“She said yes,” I whispered to him, gleeful and teary all at once.

“Itoldyou,” he said in a sing-song. “I knew she’d adore you.”

“I already did,” the queen confirmed. “Hold still. We’re going to figure out hugs even with this cast situation.” She hugged me around the middle while Fal repositioned his hand so I didn’t lose my balance.

“Thanks, Mom,” I said. When I mated into Pack Sorles, I’d be expected to call her that. I had double the reason to now. As for her males, though, I’d have to figure it out. “And… Dad?”

Thalas flashed a serene smile. “Aye, I would like that, if that’s what you prefer to call me. Your situation is unusual, Metalark. I wouldn’t be surprised if you ‘run into’ the rest of my pack early and reacquire your godchild status.”

“That would be breaking protocol,” Fal pointed out. “Which, not that anyone has asked yet, we followed. Lark is untouched.”

“I am,” I agreed. And more than a little chagrined that neither of older fae seemed to care.

The queen patted him on the arm. “Good job.” She then bid us farewell for the evening, passing hugs all around, though she had to chase Marius with a, “Hold still, my wild boy. You’re not too tough to get a hug from your mama.”

I watched them go, muffling a giggle behind my hand. He eventually relented and gathered her up, fins and all, for a big hug. Stars, I hadn’t even turned his way when she’d told us of her approval. Had he at least cracked a smile? I guess I wouldn’t know now.

Behind me, Thalas whispered to Fal in Serian, “She’s really untouched?”

“It nearly killed us, but yes.”

Thalas snickered, while I tried not to twitch and give away that I was eavesdropping.

“Great to see how much you all care about protocol,” Fal grumbled.

The other male only laughed harder. “No, you don’t understand. Elion owes me so many full moons. I can’t wait to see his face when he hears the news.”

27

LARK

Dinnerwaslife-changing. Everything they served me tasted incredible. I had a moment with the herb-and-breadcrumb-stuffed chicken, wondering how they got it under the skin. Fal and Tormund ate with me, while Marius left unannounced at some point.

“All he eats is raw meat and sadness anyway,” Tormund had muttered.

They left me for the evening with reluctance, but I wanted a bath so badly at that point. Jani and Lon helped me to the rain room, which they called a “shower.” They happily told me it was a human invention, which meant no magic went into summoning the warm water that washed down on me. Yet it felt truly magical.

I dried off and practically begged my handmaidens to go and rest. They’d done everything to help me get around and redressed in sleeping clothes short of getting in the shower with me.

“It’s an honor to be picked as a handmaiden,” Lon told me with a fluttery giggle.

“Especially when a princess needs extra hands. We could stay by your nest in case you need anything tonight?” Jani offered.

“Please, go take time for yourselves,” I said again.

They walked me all the way to my nest before promising to be back in the morning with breakfast. They turned off the essence lamps as they went, leaving me with one, a ball of light that floated right over my shoulder as I made my way to my new bed.

Before I inspected the items, I opened the note left for me.

Dearest Metalark,

Welcome back to the family! Please accept this nestwarming gift from us.

Ambriel gave you her favorite stuffed kelpie. She knows he’ll guard you in your sleep.

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