Fairy Gifts: A Between the Worlds Anthology
Page 19
Hannah and Joan were still talking but Allie’s mind had wandered a bit, her eyes focusing past the trio by the tree and on the tree itself. It glowed even with the lights on in the room and the fire in the fireplace, and suddenly Allie thought she understood why Jess had come to love it so much. It was beautiful and there was something calming about it. Glancing over she saw that Jess was looking at the same thing as his mother talked to Samara, his face soft and open. She reached out to his mind, knowing Bleidd could hear as well, “Jess? Are you happy?”
His eyes shifted to her, the corner of his mouth quirking up in a lopsided grin. “I do not think I have ever been happier in all my life Allie.”
“Oh just wait Commander,” Bleidd interjected drily, although Allie could feel his amusement dancing beneath the surface. “There’s another human tradition associated with weddings, called the ‘wedding night’. I think you will enjoy that one very much.”
Allie fought desperately not to roll her eyes and settled for squeezing Bleidd’s hand as hard as she could instead. “I think that’s the part you’ll enjoy the most, you mean.”
He smiled at her and then nodded at Hannah, responding to something she’d just said to him that Allie had missed entirely, “Actually this was unusual by elven standards as well. I think we could safely say that this wedding was neither truly elven or human, but something unique.”
“I like unique,” Hannah said, nodding approvingly.
“So do I” Bleidd said, and Allie knew he meant that in a very specific way and this time she did roll her eyes and smile.
A moment later Jess walked over and seeing him Hannah grabbed her sister’s hand and dragged her over to the food table, “Come on Joanie, time for more snacks.”
“Huh?” the younger woman said, and then, “Oh.”
As soon as Jess reached her Allie pulled them both into an embrace, wrapping her arms around their torsos and burying her head in the shelter of their chests. For a moment she simply let herself rest like that, pulling in the almost intoxicating happiness they were feeling, and remembering for the first time in a long time that the strength of elven emotions could be dangerous in their intensity. Finally she looked up into their faces, so close to her own, and whispered, “Happy Solstice my loves.”
* * *
[1] Gadreene – Elvish word meaning puppy