Page 34 of A Court of Fire and Frost

Cherie looks dubious before nodding. I wrap my arms around her, squeezing tightly.

"Congratulations," I say earnestly.

"Thank you, brother."

“Ready to leave?” Lucinda re-enters the room and seems relieved that Cherie and I aren’t yelling at each other.

“Yes, Mom,” we say in unison. Like a couple of younglings. Cherie grins and nudges me with her shoulder.

“Excellent, the carriage is here.”

* * *

The ‘carriage’is actually one of the newest electric cars, but who am I to argue?

The Winnowing Forest is the ideal place for Summer Solstice celebrations. The large, spacious fields filled with canopy trees and breathtaking flowers in every color provide comfort and privacy if needed. It will only last for a week before it is destroyed.

We pull into the parking lot, and a large toad-like man ushers us to our space. I get a better look as we pull in and realize that he is, in fact, a toad.

“No place like Summer Court,” I murmur.

“What was that, dear? Oh! Look! That is where you will get married!” Lucinda squeals.

Cherie and I follow her gaze to the enormous, blush-pink peonies that have been flipped upside down. They have been enchanted to stay in that position, their huge stems pointing up to the sky to function as Marriage Huts. My jaw drops. Nearly two dozen peonies are lined up with two petals swooping to either side of their walls, creating an entrance.

Only a Summer Fae couple can get married at these celebrations. The party that ensues will be dedicated to all of them.

Faeries don't get married in front of other people like the Were or Humans. Since Fae can’t lie, there is no reason for more than two people to witness their vows. And even then, the witnesses are more of a formality. A legality, in this modern time.

I assume Lucinda has encouraged this match between my sister and someone I have never met. She will likely be the witness from our side of the family.

The doors on our high-tech car open upwards, and we make our way out of the vehicle.

Lucinda immediately sees someone she wants to talk to, and Cherie takes my arm.

My brows raise. “Don’t you need to go find your betrothed? You’ll need to get to the marriage huts soon.”

She lays her head on my shoulder. “We will find him together.”

We walk in silence for several moments. “Nate, I know I should’ve told you. But to be honest, I wasn’t sure what you were going to say. I didn’t know what you would think of me. Marrying a male, and all.”

I stop in my tracks. “What? Cherie, I love you. Really love you. It doesn’t matter who you marry, I just want you to be happy.” I face her. “Truly happy. Not for anyone else but you.”

The unspoken words pass between us. She knows I worry she’ll end up like Lucinda.

“Really?” Her eyes glisten with unshed tears.

“Really.”

“Then, Nate, would you come and be my witness? I know Mom was supposed to do it, but she’s so happy that I’m getting married that I doubt she will care.”

My throat closes, and I suck in a breath. “Cher, I’ve been an ass. I don’t deserve this kindness, but I would be honored.”

She grins and kisses me on the cheek. "You have been an ass, haven't you?"

We both laugh.

Another hour passes before we go into the Marriage Hut. My sister and mother go off for a conversation, leaving me alone with my sister's soon-to-be husband.

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