Page 40 of Regal Rising

“I do. I am very popular in certain markets. Come. Let’s meet your great, great infinitum grandfather.”

Vemel looked to Avor. “I am assuming that that is what you wanted?”

“Yes, Vemel. Thank you. I am still dazed at the variety of power that I can sense in this space.”

“Oh, your guys?”

“No, the females. They are astonishing. The alphas are impressive, but the women are warriors.”

“A lot of them have had to be. Hunted by the Stronghold, rejected by their families, many of them have found peace and companionship in the book club and just being with those who have developed the same way. If you want scary, look at Win and Poppy, Keres as well. Vemel’s mate Asel can wield Themak’s fire.”

Food trucks began pulling up, along with motorcycles and cars, families who were drawn to this moment for the impromptu family gathering.

Regis said softly, “I never imagined this. I just hoped that they would be able to get out of the shadows and see each other.”

Avor hugged her. “I am stunned. Is that chocolate?”

“Ruby owns a chocolate shop. Apparently, she was motivated to bring some.”

“Can we?”

“Of course. This isn’t my show; it’s ours.”

He lifted her, kissed her, then set her down and walked toward the food that was assembling under the watchful eyes of dozens of elves.

The crowd stepped aside as they approached, and Ruby smiled. “Regis, I have been wanting to do a collab with your shop. I love your cream puffs.”

They hugged face-to-face for the first time. “Ira loves Patchwork Pixie. We are hoping the movie won’t be too scary. I hear Teyval is the troll prince, and Myrtle ended up being the pixie.”

Ruby laughed. “Yeah. I was starting to show, and there was no way I was going to spend that much time on set. Myrtle wrote the screenplay, so it was right that she be in there instead of me. It gave a lot of the ladies a boost. They were able to work in the public world, and the dark elves got to get their flirt on.”

Regis smiled. “I can hardly wait to see it.”

“I think they are starting to run the ads now that all of the special effects are accounted for.” Ruby smiled and rubbed her belly. “It is a guess as to what is going to make its debut first.”

Marshall walked up, and Regis grinned as he cuddled his mate and touched her belly.

Avor sighed. “That is a memory I still have.”

Regis smiled. “Floral crowns every morning. I felt bloated and pretty.”

He looked at her wistfully. “I remember.”

Regis looked over to where Ford and his siblings had gathered to talk to Kay and Vaayu.

Ruby asked, “Who is that?”

“It’s the golden dragon and the emperor of the djinn. Myrtle has the story. Teyval has the details. It is a lovely story with many children and a fight for freedom that exposed a family so big no backyard barbeque can hold them all.”

Ruby smiled. “Can I invite my uncle, my mom, and Dad? Emmy’s around here somewhere.”

Regis grinned. “This place is an open house for now. Anyone can come and go.”

“Cool.” She pulled out her phone and started dialling. She paused and said into the phone, “They say you can come. See ya.” She smiled and looked at Regis. “My dad is a light elf. Just letting you know.”

Regis nodded. “Win has a light elf in her grouping; of course, he’s grey.” Something struck her, and she looked around. “Where are Win and Alexi?”

Ruby looked around, and Avor turned his head. “There. Why?”

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