I wipe at my own eyes. "Too late. I'm already teary."
We sit and talk about baby names and how we're going to steal clothing from everyone and just which gargoyle she thinks will fit for each person I've got a gift for. She tells me what she's gotten everyone and I tell her about my presents too and the moment is happy. It's carefree and light and everything I need after a stressful few months and more surprises than are probably healthy in one person’s lifetime.
Dare wanders back into the library sometime later with a cup of hot cocoa for me and I reach for it excitedly.
"Gimme!"
"Say please, mo grá." He holds it away from my reach and I roll my eyes playfully.
"Pretty please can I have the chocolatey goodness you're so meanly keeping from me?"
He laughs, dropping a kiss to the top of my head and handing over the warm mug. I hum joyfully and take a sip. "Yummy. Thank you."
"Anything for you, Ever." Dare sits next to me, his posture stiff, and I watch him closely, not sure what has him tense.
"Is something wrong? Did something happen?"
"No, of course not." He moves his hand from behind his back and holds it out, palm facing upward, a small gift with a bow resting in the center.
I put my mug down on the table in front of us and reach for the present. "What's this? It's not Yule yet."
"I know, but I couldn't wait any longer to give this to you." He nods at the small package resting in my lap. "Open it."
I untie the bow, gently unwrapping it even though I want to tear through it like a wild beast. It's a small box. Too small to be a weapon. "What is it?" I ask, curious if he'll give me a hint.
"Open it and see." He rests his hand on my knee and I do as he says, opening the box.
I gasp. "Oh, my gods. Dare." Nestled inside the box is a white-gold ring. The band is thin but sturdy when I pick it up and the surface is smooth. Small diamonds form a sort of scattered pattern on the top, resting flat rather than sticking up. It's breathtaking in its simplicity. It's both beautiful and practical. I'll be able to wear it all the time rather than having to take it off when I'm fighting. "It's perfect, Dare." Tears form in my eyes and I look between this big, rough goblin I love and the ring I've got pinched between two fingers.
"Ever, I know that we cannot hear each other's thoughts, but I can feel you so deeply in my chest. I know that you are destined to be my mate, despite the lack of obvious signs. I can feel it in my bones. Would you do me the honor of wearing my ring and showing the world that you belong to me?"
I nod, tears dropping on my cheeks, and I lean forward, wrapping my arms around him. "Yes. Of course I will." I let him go, holding the ring out to him. He takes it from my fingers, the small metal circle looking even tinier in his large fingers. I hold out my left hand, and he slides the ring onto my fourth finger. It's a perfect fit.
I grip his face between my hands and plant a kiss on his lips. It's soft and sweet and full of promise and love. "I love you, Dare." I say the words between breaths and kisses, my heart overflowing with wonder and delight.
"And I love you, mo grá. More than words can explain."
4
A lot of tears, more love than I thought imaginable, and a wee bit of sneaking around, and Yule is here. The energy in the castle buzzes with excitement and everyone has put on their best clothes. For the women, that means their best dresses, and the men, their un-ripped shirts and pants and some fancy buckles. For me, that means a pair of leggings and a long, flowy top that Kiara gave to me a day early so I could wear it. It's a deep red, and the arms end in wide openings near my hands, silver thread creating a beautiful pattern at the edges. It frames my stomach perfectly and makes me feel like I'm not some sort of waddling duck ready to pop at any minute.
I'm sitting next to Dare in the main hall at the longest table I've ever seen here, and my face hurts from the smile that I can't seem to dim. This is my family. And we're safe and happy and everyone has a place and is loved.
I look down the line as Axel and Kirin bicker with each other, playfully threatening to stab each other with the cutlery, and I shake my head. Eryn is seated next to Dagan, who's frowning at her as she speaks to him, and I pause. Eryn's face is pinched in anger and they both whisper heatedly at each other. Hmm, I wonder what that's about. Dagan says something, turning to face Eryn, and her cheeks turn red. Her mouth opens before she snaps it shut and turns her attention away from Dagan, to Kiara on her left.
Dagan's eyes practically glow with rage at her dismissal, but he closes his eyes and takes a few breaths, the action seeming to calm him a bit. I store that little tiff for later so I can ask Eryn about it. I know they've been on watch a lot lately, but if they're not getting along, maybe we can switch it up so they're not so upset with each other.
"Why are you frowning, Ever?" Dare whispers the words in my ear and I shiver at the sound of his voice.
"Eryn and Dagan are fighting. I was thinking that maybe we should switch up the watch shifts so they aren't so aggravated with each other?"
"Dagan hasn't said anything to me." Dare eyes his brother.
"Eryn hasn't mentioned anything to me either." Which is odd. Normally if something is bugging her, she'd tell me. "I guess we'll leave it alone for now. I don't want to meddle."
Dare chuckles. "Yes, you do. If you'd like, I'll speak to Dagan."
"No, that's okay. Let's just see what happens." Despite the fact that I'm dying to ask Eryn a million questions, she won’t tell me anything until she's ready to. That's just how she works.
"When would you like to tell everyone our news?" Dare asks, taking my hand in his.
"Now is fine. Help me up." I stand, pushing the heavy chair out behind me so I don't bump the table with my belly, and I clear my throat. No one hears me. I look to Dare with a do-something stare and he chuckles at my impatience.
He grabs his glass of cider and taps his fork against it, the sound ringing out through the hall. Heads turn our way all at once and I'm hard-pressed to not step backwards and hide from all of the attention. Gods, that's nerve-racking.
"Can we have your attention please? Ever and I would like to share some news with everyone."
Cheers ring out and I wave my hand, hushing them. "So, as most of you here know, we found out we'll be having not one baby but two. A boy and a girl." I smile as everyone whoops and hollers, clapping and whistling. Excitable bunch today. "Dare and I have decided on names for them."
"Tell us! Oh, this ought to be good," and various other statements of excitement echo off the walls of the hall and I smile up at Dare.