Page 12 of Owned By Four Alphas

Elian’s chuckle turned into a full-blown laugh. “At a couple of sniffy dragons? Hardly. Kaelen thinks any god-worship is foolish, and I believe the only Order worth involving myself in is an Order of your beauty.”

“Elian,” she hissed, digging an elbow into his side. He huffed out a laugh and pressed a swift kiss to her lips.

A small commotion drew her attention, and she looked over to see a group of older Fae males laughing raucously at one of them having spilled his wine. Beside him, a very young Fae female desperately tried to help the male mop it up.

Elian smirked. “Good to see that old Lord Hagas of the Sharpstone Court is as clumsy as ever.”

“The lord of another court?”

“Yes, from the Third Realm, I believe. Not much land or power. I’m not surprised he’s come sniffing here.”

Selena winced as the old male, his hair gray and wiry, pushed the young girl’s hands away in anger. “His poor daughter! She’s only trying to help!”

There was a pause from Elian, and she turned to him expectantly. He had an easy grin on his face, with a familiar twinkle of mischief in his bright green eyes, “Yes, poor girl indeed. I believe she only came of age ten years ago. That’s barely a few days to a human. Still recent enough that you might want to congratulate her in your speech! It would be good to show another court such courtesy, I believe. Her name is Sarya.”

“Sarya of Court Sharpstone, daughter of Lord Hagas,” Selena repeated, committing the names to memory.

Elian squeezed her shoulder.

Just then, the gong sounded, loud and clear and ringing through the hall.

Nausea gripped her stomach.

“Showtime,” Elian grinned as everyone made their way to their seats at the enormous wooden tables lining the hall. Kaelen and Ronan walked over to join her and Elian at the high table, a noticeable tension thick between them. Kaelen placed himselfnext to Selena, whereas Ronan pointedly moved to sit beside Elian.

“Where’s Malek?” was Kaelen’s only greeting, and Selena’s jaw clenched. She hadn’t expected much more from him following their argument, but she was still undeniably angry.

“I’m here.” Malek materialized out of the shadows in the seat beside Kaelen, and Selena sent him a grateful smile. He returned it, even if the tense set of his shoulders spoke to his discomfort.

“Good luck, little dove,” Elian murmured as Selena slowly rose to her feet. The hall fell silent.

For a split second, her ears roared and her throat constricted as hundreds of eyes turned towards her. Her hands were clammy, her legs shaking, her breathing fast—”

Elian coughed, and instantly tranquility poured over her skin like water, a cool balm against the sharp panic.

She took a deep breath in. Then out. She promised herself she would yell at Elian later for failing to mention his magic could do that.

She opened her mouth to speak.

“Welcome, everyone. On behalf of our pack, I would like to say how delightful it is to see so many of you here celebrating with us today. I confess, I am still learning about this particular festival of the Fae, but if the drinks are poured as strongly as they were at Midwinter, I am certain that in a few hours’ time you will all be just as clueless as I am!”

There was a wave of appreciative laughs. She exhaled. Perhaps she wouldn’t yell too harshly at Elian. He had, after all, spent the whole day helping her.

“It has been many festivals since I pledged myself to the First Realm. With each passing milestone, I grow more and more awed at the strength, power, and tradition of its people. I know that these times are uncertain, that the past few hundred years have brought conflict and chaos. I never met my father. I often wonder what he would say if he was standing here addressing you, instead of me.”

A murmur rippled over the crowd, and her father’s face flashed before her eyes as she had seen him in her dream. Somber and strong. Sad, yet hopeful. She swallowed a lump in her throat.

“Perhaps he would talk about the importance of unity and peace. Perhaps he would seek to reassure you all that we will defend ourselves against any enemy. Perhaps he would merely say how much he misses you all. I’m afraid I cannot say for certain. I am, after all, not my father. But I think that it is fitting thatIcan stand before you all on this, the celebration of winter’s end, and tell you all that spring is coming. The snows will melt, the flowers will bloom, and new life will flourish. And I can promise you all that I will do everything in my power to see you all flourish with it.”

She lifted a glass of clear water, raising it above her head.

“And so I make a toast to you, and to the coming of spring. May it bring joy and happiness to all.”

“Here, here!” shouted some of the Fae, already swaying and drunk, and the hall erupted into cheers and the clinking of silver goblets overflowing with wine.

“Before the feast begins,” she shouted, heart emboldened and skin tingling with warmth, “I want to say a particular thank you to those who have traveled so far to celebrate with us today.To the wolves who will no doubt regale you all with war stories. To the dragons who will share their winter mead.”

There was chatter and laughter, interjections and whooping. Selena couldn’t stop a giggle from erupting. Beside her, Elian leaned forward in his seat.

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