Page 115 of Forged By Heart and Claws
The soft strains of stringed instruments filtered through the paper-barked trees. Vad raised an eyebrow.
Vyraetos cleared his throat. “Well, I suspect that is the reason young Thalen has invited us here.”
“Who all did he invite?” I asked. What was he up to?
“A fair number of us, I’d guess,” Rhielle said from behind me.
I glanced over my shoulder in time to see Rhielle and Veralt walking toward us with Quen, Elias, and Myantha. Quen wore a grin that suggested she knew something I didn't, and Elias looked quietly pleased, while Myantha just studied everything with calm curiosity.
"What exactly is Thalen planning?" I glanced back at Vad.
He shook his head, but I caught the faintest hint of amusement threading through our bond. "With Thalen, it could be anything from a full theatrical production to a simple gathering. He has a flair for the dramatic."
“That might be an understatement,” Rhielle said.
Veralt chuckled, his voice a low rumble. He patted her hand, the height difference between them making the tender gesture all the more striking. “You love dramatics.”
She clicked her tongue at him. “I suppose that might explain why I love you.” Reaching up, she lifted onto her tiptoes and adjusted his eye patch.
The Night Butterfly Circle had been set up with small tables bearing delicate pastries and fresh fruit as well as trifle, crystal glasses of dark wine, and a variety of small treats and sugar cubes. A string quartet played on one side by a couple of the slender trees.
Silus and Elara were already there, sitting at one of the small tables with Many-Greats, Ember, and Ryker, chatting. When we arrived, they smiled at us. Ember waved us over. “Your friend insisted that we be here. Apparently, you being my family makes us his family too…or something like that.”
Thalen appeared from behind one of the larger trees, his silver curls catching the moonlight as he swept forward with his arms wide. He wore a shiny silver robe that was embroidered with all the Guardian Beasts, neatly pressed, fitted trousers, and black leather boots. "There you are! I was beginning to think you'd gotten lost in romantic contemplation."
"We were investigating," Vad said dryly, though warmth pulsed through our bond.
"Investigating, brooding, same thing with you. The only reason you do less of it now is you have someone far better to focus on." Thalen winked at me and clapped his hands together. "Right then. I know we've all been through absolute hell these past few weeks. Murder accusations, betrayals, battles, near-death experiences… You know, the usual royal court entertainment."
Quen snorted. "You have a twisted sense of humor, as usual." Elias pulled a chair out for her, and she sat, then patted the cushion next to hers.
"Which is why you adore me." Thalen grinned at her before his expression softened. "But truly, I thought we could all use a moment to simply breathe. And to remember that, when it comes to dramatic declarations, I am, in fact, the actual winner. No one can outdo me, even if some decided to propose in the Ceremonial Hall.
Silus raised an eyebrow mid-sip and lowered his goblet. “Are you telling me you’re doing this to try to show me up?”
“Oh, not trying. I’m succeeding.” Thalen lifted a hand. “One of my goals in life is to show you and Vad up. Don’t think it makes one bit of difference to me that you’re both kings now, or will be after the formalities are concluded. You see, Fate granted me all the charm and grace, but did not make me a king because she knew it would be too devastating for others to handle. But I am grateful to you both for providing the necessary challenge to encourage me to improve my game. Now then. Let’s get started.”
He placed two fingers in his mouth and whistled three high notes and one lower one. The string quartet began a gentle song, rich with emotion and yet soft enough not to overpower conversation. A gentle rustling andclip-clopssounded from the path we’d taken here.
I leaned to the side, wondering what the hell he was up to. My eyes widened when I saw a unicorn foal trot forward, holding a small bouquet of flowers wrapped in pink silk in its mouth.
Myantha beamed as it approached.
I covered my mouth, my heart swelling. How had Thalen managed this?
Vad shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips. The unicorn foal dropped the bouquet in Myantha’s lap. She picked it up and looked at Thalen with questioning eyes.
Bowing, Thalen gestured to her. “You can open it, my darling.”
Myantha's fingers trembled as she unwrapped the pink silk. The fabric fell away to reveal a small cluster of white moon lilies. Nestled among them, catching the moonlight like captured starfire, was a ring.
The musicians swelled into a fuller, more dramatic melody as Thalen moved forward and dropped to one knee in front of her chair. His amber eyes gleamed with mischief and genuine affection both.
"Myantha." His voice carried over the garden with theatrical precision.
She squirmed as he spoke, her cheeks reddening.
"From the moment I met you, I knew you were extraordinary. You, who hates being the center of attention, prefers quiet corners, wears comfortable clothes, and enjoys honest conversation over pageantry. Who saw through every bit of charm I threw your way and made me work for every single smile. You made me realize what I wanted in my own life and what I needed if I was ever to have any hope of happiness. And I wanted to know if you?—”
