Page 82 of The Demon's Discovery
A trio of women approached, each with a devious smile and a fistful of ribbon. “Have a seat, gentlemen,” they ordered, dragging Magnus over as well when they spotted him on the fringes, chatting with one of the other soldiers.
“What’s this?” Rylan asked.
“Ceremonial plaits,” one of them replied, trading around ribbon colors until they were all satisfied.
“I have my own, if you like?” I offered, pulling a set of silver ribbons out of my pocket.
“Ah! Beautiful. Those are perfect.” The woman snatched them from me and set to work.
“What’s the ceremony?” Magnus frowned.
“Traditional clan welcome,” the woman working on his hair muttered, giving no further response.
We each got a single close braid along each side of our head, a colored ribbon threaded through and used to tie the two together at the back.
“Jorna,” Magnus said calmly, but she wasn’t having any of his questioning.
“All done!” She patted the top of his head like he was a child and the three of them roved off as quickly as they’d come.
We’d barely stood when I saw her. From the way my brother held his breath, I could tell he’d spotted his mate as well. Magnus rumbled low in his throat.
They moved as a pack, our women and their cousins, each luminous in their finery. I’d mused not all that long ago about getting Greta into such decoration and dress, and seeing her so made up and bedecked had my pulse racing. It was everything I knew it would be and more.
“Here you are,” Lovette said, going on her toes to kiss her father’s cheek. “I told you we’d deliver them safely.”
Magnus took Grace’s hand and spun her around, and Rylan simply wasted no time pulling Calla to his chest and kissing her soundly.
“You are truly lovely,” I said, throat tight as I took her in. I bowed, offering her my hand. She put her fingers into mine, and I lifted them to my mouth as I straightened. “Radiant.”
“They did your hair too?” She laughed, brushing along the braids above my ears.
“There’s no arguing with the aunties,” Imogen said.
“Look,” Calla tilted her head and gestured. “We all match.”
She wasn’t wrong. Greta had been put in silver to match my vest and ribbons, Calla in red to complement the red trim Rylan had on his black clothes, and Grace’s green dress matched the emerald shade of Magnus’s shirt.
A hush fell over the gathering as a short, stout woman built much like Ophelia climbed up on a table and banged two metal cups together.
“Kin, friends, and honored guests! We, the stone kin of Cyntere, welcome you to our humble conclave.” There was a cheer, and I saw both Grace and Greta blush at the sudden rush of attention this put on them. I tucked Greta closer into my side, offering silent strength. “Today, we celebrate! Two of our own have been returned to us, and a third joins for the first time.Such gifts must be honored.” A raucous noise went up, and this time, even Calla ducked her head. Grace looked to Magnus, but he just beamed down at her. “Welcome to you, now and always. Let us begin!”
She bowed and stepped down, and we were all pushed closer to the flames by the crush of bodies. Musicians began to play from near the meetinghouse, and as I turned Greta around in a strange kind of waltz, I realized we were being ushered toward the massive tree that stood at the entrance of the square.
Everyone danced their way there either coupled up or skipping and spinning alongside us. Many of the women had long ribbons tied around their wrists, so as they raised their arms they fluttered on the breeze when they moved.
“Magnus, what exactly is the traditional welcome?” Rylan asked, but Magnus and Grace were ushered to the side by the crowd.
“Welcome home, Calla Noctua and Greta Aurichal. Welcome, Grace Jardin!” the short woman intoned, a broad smile on her face as she took up another stump much closer to the massive tree.
As we got closer, I found an owl and a raven perched in the lowest branches. Archimedes, Rylan’s massive black owl, fluffed proudly, and Belmont made that knocking sound in his throat, turning his good eye on Greta. Morticia, the stone kin cat, sat on one as well, swishing her tail back and forth as she watched, seemingly bored with the whole occasion.
“Your parents would all be so happy that this day has come. Rylan Stolas and Vassago Feland, we welcome you as well and thank you for all you have done for the stone kin.” I bowed, unsure what else to do as we were arranged as pairs in front of the woman. “Hello, Magnus,” she said in a bored tone, raising a round of laughter through the crowd.
“This is a special day indeed, as these new members of our clan have all also found other parts of their souls on this plane. It is agiftto be soul bound, even once in a lifetime, but to find one’s true mate is rare indeed. We can only hope that such a rare and special event taking place between you is a portent of good things to come! Now, I ask all six of you here before me, do you accept what the fates have given you? Will you treasure your mate, dedicate your mind, body, and spirit to them, until the fates so choose?”
Greta looked up at me, the same tension I felt reflected in her eyes, but I could also see her answer there. “Yes, I will,” I said, gripping her cheek with my palm.
“Yes,” Greta said. I was sure the others echoed the same, but I didn’t look away from her to see.
