Giant John sighed in mock exasperation and rolled his eyes.
Truth was, the Queen’s Rider’s hand-fasting reminded Giddi of his own, when he’d been head of the Wizard Council and Mazyka had been his trainee. Although it had been years since Mazyka had been lost through the world gate, his fierce, aching heart had never stopped loving her.
§
Kierion raised his arm so Adelina could twirl under it. As well as being pretty and vivacious, she was as graceful as a swan. He could hardly believe his luck. He’d been sitting there, trying not to stare, because, wow, she looked gorgeous—with her hair up in a knot and a scarlet dress that swirled as she danced, showing off her dark, dark eyes. And tan skin. He cleared his throat, glancing away as she smiled up at him. She’d asked him to dance. He could hardly say no, could he? Not that he’d wanted to say no …
He looked down and met her sparkling eyes. She looked much better than when he’d rescued her in Death Valley. Too good. Kierion sighed. She was still so young.
Adelina twirled again. Kierion pulled her back into his arms. She was so tiny, so compact, yet full of energy. She snuggled her head against his chest.
Shards, Kierion’s bones were melting.
Adelina murmured. He bent his head down to hear her better. “It’s my name day next week and I’ll be sixteen summers,” she said. “Would you spend the day with me?”
Kierion felt a jolt in his gut. Sixteen? He’d thought she was turning fifteen. He swallowed, lost for words.
She laughed at his nervousness, eyes dancing.
“Sure, I’d love to.” Maybe she wasn’t too young for him after all.
§
Tomaaz tightened his grip around Lovina’s waist, pulling her toward him to kiss her as they danced. As their kiss deepened, she pulled away, cheeks warm. She just couldn’t. “Not in front of—”
“Not in front of who?” he grinned, winking.
“Everyone.” Lovina’s cheeks grew hotter.
“Don’t worry,” he said, kissing her again. “They’re all too busy watching Ezaara and Roberto.”
So Lovina kissed him back, enjoying every moment.
§
A horn blew, startling Lars from the story he was telling. Who in the Egg’s name—
He should’ve known. Kierion was on stage—with two mages—Riona behind them. Now that Kierion had everyone’s attention, what was he going to say? Despite his cynicism, Lars waited with bated breath. That lad was always full of surprises.
“I know many of you have welcomed our mages with open arms, like sons and daughters returning from battle,” Kierion said, eliciting a ripple of laughter. “Yes, we’ve been pining to have them here at the hold for years …” More laughter. “So now we should take advantage of this opportunity.” His voice dropped. The cavern was silent as people strained to hear. Even the musicians stopped playing.
“That’s why I’m letting you in on a secret.” He leaned forward conspiratorially, using an exaggerated stage whisper. “Mages can kill tharuks.”
Kierion, Fenni and Jael whooped and raced to Riona. Kierion leaped up first, the two mages behind him. Riona sprang into the air, flexing her wings. Fenni and Jael leaned out on either side of Kierion as he mimed shooting an arrow from a bow. The wizards weren’t miming, though. Real mage flame shot from their fingers, striking stone high on the cavern walls.
Amid cheers and hollers, Kierion slowed Riona down and landed. “Anyone who wants to kill tharuks with mages, meet us for training before breakfast. With a hundred mages here, we’ll take as many riders as we can get.”
Both blade thrusters and arrow flingers were among those cheering, pushing their way forward as they clambered to talk with Kierion and the two young mages.
“Another new training regime.” Master Jerrick leaned over the table. “We did say he was sharding amazing, didn’t we, Lars?”
§
The music swelled, filling the cavern. Guided by wizards, mage lights zipped between the dancers, in time to the music. Ezaara smiled at Roberto as he whirled her around the cavern. “Your eyes reflect the mage light.”
“Mage light is nothing compared to the magic we’ll have together.” Roberto’s whisper was like the brush of a feather against her ear.
A thrill ran through her, making goosebumps break out on her skin. “I look forward to it.”
Roberto kissed her hair, laughing.
Adelina, dancing with Kierion, sidled alongside them. “Your dress, Ezaara, and the ribbons,” she hissed.
Oh, right. Ezaara had nearly forgotten. She winked at Adelina. “Got it.”
Roberto frowned as they danced away. “Kierion? I mean, really?”
“They suit each other—he’s cute and funny, and she’s so bubbly.”
“Cute? So, that’s cute?” Roberto melded, making Ezaara giggle.
The music wound down, and Lars made an announcement. “Roberto and Ezaara will be leaving us for a week for their hand-fasting holiday. They’ll be traveling tonight, so I suggest we all join them in their last dance. But first, Queen Zaarusha, will you do the honors?”
Zaarusha flew down from a ledge and landed on the cavern floor in front of the stage, near Roberto and Ezaara. She stretched out a talon and cut the ribbons binding their hands. Roberto caught the pieces, tucking them in his pocket.
The gittern player strummed an upbeat piece, and they danced, wheeling, Ezaara’s dress spinning in a colorful whirlwind about her legs. She tugged on her ribbons, loosening them.
“I knew you had matching slippers, but your legs are covered too,” said Roberto. “What are you wearing?”
“This,” she replied, pulling the ribbons, slipping her dress off and flinging it at Roberto.
He caught it, slinging it over his shoulder.
Dressed in her colorful riders’ garb, Ezaara ran up onto the stage and vaulted onto Zaarusha’s back, laughing. Roberto leaped up behind her and waved to the crowd, who cheered, stomped and whistled as Zaarusha flew out of the cavern
