Page 51 of The Last Wish of Bristol Keats
Even Tyghan, who was not easily impressed, had to pause and admire it. Ivy had brought the outside in. Moss and ferns lined the table, with gleaming dishes and silver nestled among them. Glass candlesticks rose halfway to the ceiling, flickering like stars above. Garlands of wildflowers fell from the backs of the chairs, and in each corner of the room, a forest of birches rose up and disappeared into the ceiling. He had vague memories of such extravagant tables when he was a child—before his parents died.
“The chef and I worked together on this,” Ivy said proudly. “Beautiful, no?”
Tyghan nodded. “Very.” He imagined Bristol’s eyes lighting up when she saw it. And if this didn’t pull the grumpiness out of Cael, nothing would. “Ivy, I’ve been thinking. About Melizan’s wedding.”
“The binding ritual? Yes, I have it on the schedule. Day after tomorrow. Fifteen minutes, correct?”
“Maybe a little longer than that. Some food and drink for whoever shows up? And could you throw in a special thing or two to make it more of a celebration?”
A wide grin lit Ivy’s face. “Wise move, Your Majesty. I’ll take care of it.”
“And when do you think there will be another wedding?” he asked.
She coyly tweaked her head to the side. “Are you trying to tell me about one I should add to the schedule?”
“No! No. I was talking about you and Cully.”
She frowned, twisting her hands in front of her, and finally sighed. “I’m pixie, he’s elven. You know my parents.”
“I do. But you’re a grown woman, Ivy. Is their permission really necessary?”
“In their world, it is, but—” She smiled, and a small laugh escaped through her lips. “No, actually. It’s not.” She turned and left to consult with the chef, her wings fluttering behind her as she went.
Julia and Hollis were the first guests to arrive, waved past the guards by Esmee, who was approving all the guests for the small dinner party. They swept into the grand salon, their fancy shoes tapping on the red marble floor. Tyghan turned at the sound of their footsteps, and Julia couldn’t help but register the surprise on his face.
“You did say it was formal?” she said, hesitantly.
“Yes. Of course,” Tyghan answered. “You both look very nice. I guess I won’t be able to demand any laps.”
“Probably not,” Julia replied, noting he was getting better at light conversation,entirely thanks to Bristol. She and Hollis both took a shameless spin, showing off their last-minute finds of the day. Julia was dressed in a black and silver striped taffeta gown that whispered in the nicest way as she walked. Hollis wore a slinky pink gown that matched her hair perfectly, and a black satin cape shimmered on her shoulders.
“Can I get you both something to drink?” Tyghan asked.
Hollis shot Julia a sideways glance.The king is serving us?Julia noticed the lack of servants, no doubt being kept to a minimum because of Cael. The fewer who knew he was back, the better. Julia kept her request simple. “Some Bordeaux, if you have it?”
“And I’ll have a Pink Lady with a twist of lime,” Hollis said. Tyghan looked at her blankly, and she laughed. “Just kidding. I’ll have the same as Julia.”
He poured and handed them their drinks, glancing toward the foyer. “The others are coming along?”
“Don’t worry, Bristol will be here,” Hollis said. “A little late, maybe—she had a long shopping list. But you’ll only be stuck with us for a few minutes.”
He smiled sheepishly and lifted his glass. “Cheers, ladies.”
Julia remembered the last time she was in Winterwood with Tyghan. He had skulked in the corner, barely able to contain his worry for Bristol after her throat had been cut. He had become fiercely protective of her since that encounter.We are completely committed to each other. Julia hoped Bristol was right. Love was fierce, but also fragile. It could be destroyed in infinite ways. She thought of her own lost loves, the sorrowful tugs that still wove through her heart. Even the strongest lion was at the mercy of a hunter.
Footsteps clamored through the foyer as Sashka, Avery, and Rose stampeded in, laughing and twirling in their splashy gowns. They said quick hellos and waved Tyghan off, helping themselves to the bar.
Tyghan glanced again at the foyer.
“Remember, Your Majesty,” Julia said softly, “Bristol is always last to show at evening festivities.”
“Am I that obvious?”
“In some matters, yes.” She motioned to the sofas. “Shall we sit while we wait for the others?”
Avery and Rose immediately began sharing stories from their day in the city: the troll they spotted on the banks just below the bridge, the winding streets they discovered, their shopping steals.
Tyghan perked up. “You stole merchandise?”
