Page 54

“Maybe Maeve changed her mind about what weather to serve,” he said.

“That would be just like her,” I grumbled under my breath. In full voice, I added, “But thanks to you, she’s been foiled again.”

“Hmm.”

“No. Really. Thank you for saving the day.”

That got a real smile. “You’re easy to please, love.”

“I have it on good authority that’s not true. You know how I know? Because you’re the only person who says so.”

“Doesn’t make it untrue.”

“It kind of does.”

He motioned toward Finn’s Ferocious Ferrets. “There they are.”

“The ferrets?”

“No, Rita.” He chuckled. “Kagan and Esme.”

In the days leading up to the party, Evie was showing signs of becoming a consummate diplomat in her approach to managing Maeve.

Taking Serafina’s advice, my daughter was coping by strict adherence to a simple standard.

If it’s not a ten, let it go. The thing is, inviting all the residents of Hallow Hill was a ten with Evie.

Maeve wasn’t a fan of many of my neighbors.

Too bad. My daughter loved them and was loved in return, with the single exception of John David.

According to both Evie and Maeve, the vampire didn’t count.

He was an honorary citizen of Hallow Hill, but technically not a resident.

So, the mother and paternal grandmother agreed he could be omitted from the guest list.

“Nothing doing!” I said. “If John David isn’t invited, I’m not coming either,” I said.

“MOM! How could you say that?”

“Because in some ways, John David is the glue that holds Hallow Hill together socially.”

“I thought that was Molly’s. Or Legendary Lunch.”

“Molly’s plays a big part. Sure. But the parties! I don’t think you understand how much my neighbors look forward to the seasonal soirees.”

“Why? Awful things happen.”

“Like what?”

“You want a list. Okay. Very first party. How could you dismiss being the victim of such an elaborate prank? You thought you were surrounded by people who were fine with the vampire killing a guest.”

“Well…”

“How about the stray Vampira who was addicted to eating everybody in sight? Didn’t she worm her way in through a domestic help agency?”

“Well, that was…”

“Let’s not forget the king of disruption disguised as a werewolf named Vuk.”

“But…”

“Most recently? Somebody had the bad taste to go into labor just when the dancing was supposed to begin at the Yule party. Unbelievably, that was topped by the kidnapping of your best friend.”

“Gosh.”

“Yeah. Gosh.”

“Are you saying my friends and neighbors look forward to these parties because they’re like black comedy?”

“Uh.” She was shaking her head. “No. I wasn’t saying that at all. I’m saying that John David’s parties are fraught with questionable incidents.”

I sighed. “I’d like to deny that.”

“But you can’t.”

“No. I can’t deny the ‘questionable incidents’ part. But I also can’t be shaken off my position. It would crush John David to not be invited.”

“So what?”

“ EVIE! I don’t like this unkind side of you.”

At least she had manners enough to look ashamed. After a very lengthy sigh, she asked, “Are you going to vouch for him?”

“If I need to.”

“Alright. That might be the limb I’m hanging myself from. If he bites anybody at the party...”

“He won’t. He’s a good… um…” I stopped just short of calling John David a good vampire. Since I wasn’t sure there was such a thing, I thought better of putting that out there.

After an I-don’t-know-about-that waggle of her head, she said, “What the hell. If he tried to bite somebody, Diarmuid’s dogs would chase him across the universe and show him what a good biting is all about.”

“So that means you will make sure he gets an invitation that looks and sounds the same as everybody else’s?”

“You are so distrustful!”

“It’s a fair observation. I think, since becoming magistrate, I’ve become more trusting in some ways and more skeptical in others.”

Evie’s demeanor slowly switched to serious. “I see that.”

“You too, I think.”

“I see that, too.” With a little nod, she added, “Yes. To answer your question. He’ll get an authentic invitation even if I have to personally hand-deliver both it and him. I had no idea you’d feel so strongly about including that damn vampire. “

“Thank you for understanding.”

“Didn’t say I either understand or agree. I’m just saying I will do this for you. Because you’re my mom. And, the next time there’s a question between us, I’ll win because it’s my turn.”

“That’s how we’re doing things now?”

“Seems fair. Right?”

“No, Evie. Taking turns is one thing. Fairness is another. If I won a hundred arguments a day for the rest of my life, you’d still owe me. Because I’m your mom .” Pause. “Ask any credible judge.”

“For the purpose of this discussion, just forget your side gig as magistrate.”

“Side gig!?! Pray tell, what for heaven’s sake do you think is my main gig?”

“You’re the owner of a charming, magical/mundane antique store.”

I rolled my eyes. Whatever. Kids get strange ideas about parents sometimes. “Huh. Somebody forgot to tell Maggie.”

My girl giggled like a seven-year-old. Love that.

The party was every bit as mad and crazy as Maeve herself.

She was definitely in her element as she bustled about giving orders and leaving no question about who was in charge at her, ahem, ostensibly-for-Rhiannon party.

Her ridiculous costume could only be described as Glenda the Good Witch meets prom.

She was in baby girl pink from head to toe with miles of tulle in her cake-topper skirt.

In addition to service crew such as cooks, stewards, and servers, there were dozens of entertainers made up of every kind of creature imaginable.

They juggled or tumbled or ate fire or sang or played instruments inside in almost every hallway and outside on every patch of grass.

Against the backdrop of flags, banners, and balloons, the assembly was a riot of color and activity.

All six non-Irish queens were in attendance, each with an entourage of staff, family, and elite nobility.

And each of them came with a gift. Evie and Diarmuid sat on thrones on a platform six steps up from the floor.

Thorn stood behind Evie and gazed on the proceedings resentfully.

The tiny dragon stood on Thorn’s back trying to use his talons to remove the metal ribbon that tied his snout shut.

First, Squeaky couldn’t stand being silenced to the point where a psychotic break might be eminent.

Second, he’d been “programmed” with an undermining mission to carry out at this very party.

So far he’d been unable to follow the directions he’d been given by Vidar because his mind was entirely occupied with getting free of the cursed ribbon.

Evie appeared supremely regal as she held Rhiannon in her lap.

The princess remained awake and bright-eyed for the entire gift-giving ritual.

Really, my granddaughter behaved like an angel.

There was a part of me that found that a gross injustice given the way her mom had always chosen to act up in public when she was that age.

Of course, I wasn’t serious about wishing maternal embarrassment for my only child.

And, since my eyes had been opened to the magical world, I was gradually inching closer and closer to believing in fate.

On the steps leading up to the dais, the Harlequin trio of royal dogs sat on their haunches, front legs stretched in front of them, ears straight up and on the lookout for potential misdeeds.

They were so striking, wearing gloriously splashy coats as art, not to mention the heist-worthy collars, that they were the talk of the fae gathering.

Everyone wondered how Diarmuid had scored such a prize and speculated that they’d been a gift from the gods in appreciation for his work as Prince of the Wild Hunt.

None but the inner circle of the inner circle would ever know the answer to that question.

Each fae dignitary, or family grouping, was called forward by a professional announcer who resembled a giant sloth in top hat and tails. Guests bowed to Evie and Diarmuid, spoke well wishes for the happiness of prosperity of the princess, then presented their gift.

Vidar’s teeth clenched when he arrived and assessed the state of play regarding the dragon. He was angry enough about being thwarted for his jaws to stay locked in that clench. He’d made a promise to his lover that he’d deliver her heart’s desire. How dare they interfere?

He spotted Ilmr, who was doing her best to be surreptitious in her quest to find him in the crowd. He started that direction, but didn’t get far before seeing Niall skulking about a carnival tent pole, beer stein in hand. Changing direction, he walked over to Niall.

When the prince looked up, he smiled. “Vidar!” He almost sounded excited. With a wave of the stein intended to encompass the whole of the circus playing out Maeve-style, he said, “Mum’s outdone herself this time.”

“Since I have no historical comparison, I’ll take your word for it.”

“Aye. Take my word for it.”

“Did you bring a gift?” Vidar asked.

Niall said, “No,” without a hint of shame, which was entirely consistent with the fact tat he felt none.

Pointing at the pile of gifts, large and getting larger by the minute, Niall said, “The brat has no need of another trinket from me. ‘Tis no’ as if such a gesture would have a bearin’ on my reputation. ”

“Probably not.”

“Who invited you?” Niall asked.

“You did.” Vidar knew he could claim Niall had asked him to come when drunk and Niall would never know the difference.

“Oh. Aye. I remember now.” Pause. “And glad yer here, o’course.”

“Right. Well. Want to have some fun?”

Niall perked up, just as Vidar hoped he would. “What’s the game?”

“The game is this. You see that little dragon?”

“How could I miss it? My mum gave the little bugger to my niece as a welcome-to-the-world present or some such shite.”