Page 168 of Lana Pecherczyk

Blake rolled her eyes. “One stroke of your ego and look at you.”

“Stroke me more, Sparkles.” He gathered her into his arms, eyes alight with affection.

She laughed despite herself. “River, you’re me mate. The bravest, funniest, sexiest damn?—”

His lips crashed down on hers, tongue driving in. The sudden, hot male taste short-circuited her brain. River gripped her face and deepened the kiss. When he finally relaxed and pulled away, she was left dazed and speechless.

“After I sort this out,” he murmured, idly toying with her hair and holding it to the sun, “remind me about the surprise I have for you.”

“A surprise?”

He nodded, grinning in that disarming way of his. “Been working on it all afternoon. Consider yourself booked until midnight.”

“Midnight?”

“When I have to work. Shadow Market.” Mood broken, he scowled at the sky. “Ash’s psycho ma is here.”

“Well, that’s good, right?” she said. “He’ll need you with him.”

River nodded, took her hand, and pulled her after him as he strode back into the fray.

When they arrived, the crowd had grown. Neighboring families gathered to watch the drama unfold. Lark stood rigid between them, tears brimming in her eyes. Tommas held his father back from pressing a dagger to Talo’s throat. Rocco goaded Salvatore on. Ash sat on a chair outside the nesting caravan, expression blank until he caught sight of his adopted brother. Something like approval flickered across his features.

River gave him a curt nod, then barged toward the warring families. He flickedPeacemakerat his hip, the shiny reflections drawing every eye.

“Enough!” His bellow shook leaves from nearby trees. Crows took flight. Once he held everyone’s attention, he continued. “The match between Lark and Tommas will proceed. As aGuardian of the Twelve, I invoke the right of making up the fucking rules myself. These two love each other. The Donna approves of their match. So I repeat, itwillproceed.” He looked at Lark. “Congratulations, sis.” Glared at Tommas. “You break her heart, and I’ll rip yours from your ass. Got it?”

Tommas nodded slowly. No one spoke. No one else moved until Carlotta folded her arms. Her wingmate shrugged his son off. Talo pulled Ravi under his wing. Lark and Tommas gravitated toward each other, hesitant, but with barely contained excitement in their expressions.

River watched, hand onPeacemaker, daring anyone to challenge him—especially his mother—until the couple reunited. Then he waited a full minute after Tommas grinned and yanked Lark to his side.

Blake was about to breathe a sigh of relief when Salvatore pointed at the boundary line and barked, “He’s still six inches over.”

Arguments erupted anew, each side squawking as though nothing had happened.

The shouts compounded in Blake’s ears, ringing and blaring. The sun’s glare brightened through swaying leaves. Her skin felt too hot. Her clothes clung. Everything annoying bubbled up inside her until it exploded from her mouth.

“Shut the fuck up!” she screamed, pulling at her hair. “All of you cunts, just shutup!”

Mouths opened and closed.

“Look at yourselves,” she said. “Fighting over posts and bloody boundary lines while your children suffer. Youhavethem. You’re allalive. Don’t lose sight of what matters here.”

River tugged her close. Ash unfolded from his seat and strolled to their side. “She’s right. Listen to her.”

Salvatore grumbled, “I think we’ll let the tribunal sort this out.”

“No,” Blake said. “Find another way. This isn’t about the boundary line. It’s about all the grievances you two kettles leave unsaid. Find a way to settle this amongst yourselves, or it will never end.”

The words hung in the air like smoke.

Her stomach dropped as the silence stretched. Every face turned toward her—not just the feuding families, but the gathering crowd of neighbors who’d come to watch the drama. Ancient eyes. Powerful wings. Centuries of crow politics and blood feuds.

And she’d just told them all what to do.

Chapter

Fifty-One