Page 10 of Wren's Solstice

I raise my glass and drink, my gaze roving over the throng of dancing revelers, their many-colored gowns moving elegantly around the floor like a living winter rainbow.

The hours while away in good cheer and conversation, with the fae enjoying the music, wine, food, and festivities.Just before midnight, the queen reappears, flanked by the strikingly beautiful fae women Kyren mentioned earlier.

She summons refilled chalices for all, then silences the hall, her husband joining her.“My dearest, most debaucherous fae,” she calls out, her voice rising above all.“It is with great joy that I would like to announce a very happy occasion.Our most talented Royal Bard, Thade, has found himself a pretty bird and I have blessed their union.”She raises her glass with an ear-to-ear grin.“To Thade and Wren!”

The entire Court cheers, raising their glasses to echo the queen’s toast.Beside me, Wren slips into my side, and I wrap my arm around her, before drawing her up to her toes in a deep and passionate kiss.The Court roars in celebration and applause fills the grand throne room, the glittering chandeliers shivering above.

“Now,” the king says when the sound dies down, “let the true revelry begin!”With that, he turns to his queen and kisses her, hands roaming and groping that which is his.The rest of the Court erupts into carnal chaos.Shirts and dresses fly, shreds of fabric fill the air, falling to the icy dance floor like rainbow leaves in the breeze.Naked bodies writhe, lips lock, and every available surface becomes just another place to fornicate and fuck.

Wren gasps at the spectacle before her, then looks to her new friends who have joined the chaos with their own lovers, lost in their ecstasy.“I...”she begins, staying close.

I can feel her trembling under my arm and smile gently.“If you’re not ready for this,” I say, “we can finish the night somewhere a little more private.”

Relief washes over my pretty bird’s face and she embraces me gratefully.“Yes, please,” she whispers against me.“This is all ...a bit much.”

Sweeping my beautiful mate up in my arms as her mortality fades forever, I carry her from the grand throne room and its debauchery.“Perhaps next Solstice,” I say, unbothered.

“Perhaps,” she answers, her head resting against my shoulder.“Where are we going?”she asks, when it becomes apparent that I’m not taking her back to our rooms.

“To a secret, rooftop garden,” I say.“There’s a decanter of Cold Fire, and a blanket with our names on it.”

Wren’s eyes glitter with tears.“You knew it’d be too much for me,” she says.“And you planned all this?”

I hold her tight, kissing her hair as I climb the last flight of stairs.“I love you, Wren.It’s my duty to make you happy for the rest of your immortal life, remember?Besides, tonight is your first Winter Solstice, and I wanted to share it with you and only you.”I lower my mate to her feet and present to her my little festive picnic setup, the stars sparkling overhead, the glorious moon shining bright—a myriad of rare and beautiful flowers overflowing their pots to cover the balustrade and decorative arches.

“Oh, Thade,” she breathes, crushing herself into me, her hands roaming my chest, her heart in her throat.“It’s breathtaking.”

Then our lips collide in a kiss of promise and eternity as a shooting star falls through the night—our union blessed by Fate itself.

The End

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