Page 33 of Dark Shaman: The Lost Treasure (The Children Of The Gods #98)

Amanda felt content as she watched her extended family enjoy themselves. This was what life was about—these moments of joy and connection.

"How are you progressing with Khiann's figurine?" Toven asked Esag.

The guy's expression grew thoughtful. "I've carved an endless parade of figurines depicting Khiann in every possible pose and mood, and they are good but not good enough. I'm still not satisfied. Something's missing, some essential quality I can't quite capture."

"Have you had any prophetic dreams lately?" Amanda asked.

"No, nothing yet."

Annani's face showed a flicker of worry before she smoothed it away. "These things take time."

"Dreams like that are very rare for me," Esag added quickly. "I've only had a few throughout my long life, and none were as vivid as the one about Wonder falling into the chasm while trying to save lives."

"Maybe the guilt you felt about Wonder was what triggered that dream," Syssi suggested. "Strong emotions can be catalysts for psychic experiences."

"Perhaps," Esag agreed, though he looked unconvinced.

"How's Tim doing?" Alena asked. "I understand that he's still in a coma."

Andrew put his fork down and wiped his mouth with a napkin. "He woke up the day after his induction, seemed fine, then slipped into a coma that same evening. Bridget says he's doing great, as evidenced by his growth. He's already gained almost an inch in height, and it has been only a few days."

"That's fast." Orion sounded impressed. "Not that I have anything to compare it to, but it just seems like a lot for a short time."

"Everything about his transition is unusual," Andrew said. "But then, no two transitions are alike. Everyone rewrites the rules."

Kian reached for his glass of water. "I feel guilty for putting off Tim's induction for so long. I didn't really believe he could be a Dormant."

"We were all skeptical." Syssi placed a hand on his arm. "Tim's talent was extraordinary, but there were no other indications."

Amanda was about to say that they had discriminated against Tim because of his prickly personality, when Okidu walked up to her, wearing the period costume she'd ordered for him. He was dressed as an eighteenth-century French servant, complete with a powdered wig and a pair of silk breeches.

" Madame ," he said with a perfect bow. "The tea service is ready for the mesdemoiselles ."

Amanda clapped her hands. "Right on time. We are done eating, and now it's time for tea and desserts."

She gathered Evie from Dalhu's lap and led a procession of little girls to the raised platform she'd had constructed for the event. A child-sized table was set with delicate china and cookies shaped like crowns. Each place setting had a name card in elaborate script.

"This is adorable." Syssi helped Allegra into her chair. "It's such a great idea."

"I aim to please." Amanda settled Evie into the ornate chair at the head of the table. "Okidu will be serving you, mesdemoiselles . Remember to say please and thank you."

Okidu floated around the table, pouring apple juice from a silver teapot into tiny cups. The girls were enchanted, even Phoenix forgetting her mature pretensions in the face of such magical treatment.

"And now the cake!" Amanda announced as Gerard appeared with Laleh and Donya as his assistants.

The creation that was carried out drew gasps from children and adults alike.

Three tiers of pink and white fondant roses supported a miniature castle, complete with turrets and flags.

But the crowning glory was the princess doll on top, her dress made of spun sugar and her tiny tiara actually sparkling with edible glitter.

"Pwiness!" Evie exclaimed, reaching for the doll.

"First, we sing." Amanda lit the single candle. "Everyone!"

Voices rose in harmony, singing the birthday song, while Evie bounced in her chair with excitement. When they reached the end, Amanda and Dalhu helped their daughter blow out the candle, earning a round of applause.

"Do you want to take the princess off so we can cut the cake?" Amanda asked.

Evie carefully extracted the doll, examining it with wonder before turning in her chair and offering it to Allegra.

"For me?" Allegra asked, eyes wide.

"Pwiness!" Evie insisted, pushing the doll toward her cousin.

Amanda's heart melted. Her baby, only one year old, was already showing such generosity.

Allegra looked torn, clearly wanting the doll but understanding it wasn't hers. "You should keep her, Evie. She's yours."

But Evie was insistent, practically climbing out of her chair to give Allegra the doll. Finally, Allegra accepted, but immediately got up and wrapped Evie in a careful hug.

"Thank you, Evie."

"She gets her generosity from her mother," Dalhu said quietly beside her.

Amanda snorted. "Her mother would have kept the doll."

As Gerard began cutting the cake and serving generous slices to the increasingly sugar-high children, Amanda looked around at her family, and her eyes misted with tears.

Her mother was holding court at the main table, her brother and his mate were watching their daughter with such pride, her sister with her baby boy, and the rest of her extended family, all here to celebrate this milestone.

"Mommy!" Evie called, now thoroughly covered in frosting. "Cake!"

"Yes, baby," Amanda laughed, grabbing more wet wipes. "Lots and lots of cake."

This was what she'd wanted when she'd planned this party.

Not just the decorations or the fancy dresses or even the cake, though those were all wonderful.

She'd wanted to give her daughter a memory of being surrounded by love, of being celebrated and cherished by a community that would always be there for her.

Her baby was one year old, healthy, happy, and loved.

Everything else was just icing on the cake.