Page 192 of Song of Her Siren

The crowd went silent, parting for them as Ash set Tari down on the ground.

Even though my sister’s hair was caked in mud and stuck to one side of her face, she smoothed wrinkles out of her gown and regally turned up her chin. “Well,” she said to the crowd. “Why are you all just standing there? The portals are closed. The demons are back in hell. It’s time to celebrate!”

Chapter Thirty-Three

Tari

Later that evening

Malvolia stood in frontof her throne, that black crown of thorns upon her head, and to her credit, she wore a long black gown that actually concealed her legs. More surprising than her attire was her smile. I couldn’t remember seeing her smile before, at least not like this, a broad grin that reflected the happy gleam in her eyes. Malvolia had invited Wolfy to sit in front of her throne. She’d even scratched him behind the ears. Who was this Fae?

A lively quartet of musicians strummed their instruments while Fae laughed, drank, and danced. So many Fae had gathered with us, from shifters and satyrs, Ravini and Sidhe, hybrids and pure-bloods, no distinction between Terrae and Noble Fae as we celebrated together.

I eyed Helian every time a servant had offered him a goblet of wine. He didn’t seem affected as he waved them away with a smile. I was glad I’d left the rabbits with a big pile of fresh hay in our bedchamber, for it was much too noisy for them here.

“A toast!” my aunt called to the crowd of Fae who’d gathered in the great hall for a celebration.

The musicians stopped thrumming their instruments as servants handed everyone wine goblets and Wolfy let out a happy bark.

I leaned against Helian’s chest while holding Ash’s and Finn’s hands. The girls released their papas’ legs, beaming when servants handed them goblets of the same juice they’d served Helian and me.

Shiri stood opposite our mother, fathers, Teddy, and Adrean with her three mates. Arabella stood to the side of them, stealing surreptitious glances at Helian, who clung to my waist, pretending as if Arabella didn’t exist.

I was glad Shiri was speaking to Helian and Ash again, but my mates had to profusely apologize to her, and then to me, for their wild idea to let Aurora teleport into the demon’s den to save me. I supposed their idea hadn’t been so wild, since Aurora had saved me from being eaten by an Indus worm. Thank the Elements we were able to close the second portal without incident and we were all safe now. Hopefully, Aurora would be able to sleep without nightmares after all she’d been through. Ember, too, for I knew she had many more “friends” speaking to her.

Once everyone had been served, Malvolia raised her goblet, and the crowd went silent. “Friends and family,” she called, her sparkling gaze sweeping the room, “thank you for joining us on this eve, which will no doubt be considered the most momentous day in history. The day my amazing nieces, the most powerful white witches to ever live, liberated us from the demons’ clutches.” She tipped her goblet toward us, her smile widening. “I hereby proclaim this day to be known as Liberation Day, to be celebrated every year for as long as an Avias rules the throne of Delfi. Three cheers for the white witches, Princess Tarianya Avias.” She paused, visibly swallowing, her misty eyes focused on Shiri. “And my heir, Princess Shirina Avias.”

Shiri paled at that. My sister didn’t want the Delfian throne, and I didn’t blame her.

The crowd broke into cheers while clinking their goblets, but then Helian released me, and everyone collectively gasped before going suspiciously silent. I panicked, spinning around, shocked to see my handsome king down on one knee, a beautiful jeweled ring in the shape of a Cotulla flower in the palm of his hand.

His eyes filled with longing as he looked up at me with a slanted smile. “Now that this war is over, will you marry me, Tari?”

The girls let out happy squeals, jumping up and down.

“Here?” I clutched my throat, still trying to process what was happening. “Now?”

---