Page 7

R egis held Ira s hand as they watched the afternoon rehearsal. The costumes are so pretty.

Ira was bouncing. They are. Yemeen s are very pretty. When are Pandora s coming up?

Soon. Are you excited?

Yes! Ira burst into giggles.

The crew was putting the rows and rows of chairs out. It looked to be a large event. The desserts were in the hands of the serving staff, who were arranging the buffet for the break, and now it was time to get ready for the actual show. It started in ninety minutes.

Yemeen came out and mimicked his bow while Haley screamed and cheered.

Kay stuck her head out from behind the curtains, spotted them, and gave Regis a thumbs-up.

Regis smiled and held her breath as Rex slid in next to her.

Ira was just about vibrating in place, and then.

.. Keres and Dante walked the catwalk dressed as a zodiac sign that Regis couldn t place.

The flowing silk and elaborate designs drew the eye, and the makeup was simply a black line over Keres eyes and a white one across Dante s.

Ira was clapping wildly, and as Regis looked around, she saw that the others were all staring. Regis covered her mouth. Okay, so zodiac-wearing elves were not a thing on the ground, especially when the female was visibly pregnant.

The stellar silks flowed around Keres as she moved, and Dante twirled her at the end of the runway before they headed back to the main stage.

Honey and Alen did the next walk, followed by Poppy and Myro, Win and Wellyn, Myrtle and Teyval, Honey and Alen, Gia and Ornolf.

Ira was clapping for all of them and super excited when Keres and Achilles appeared wearing a different sign.

They moved differently. They glided; they danced and swirled together as if they knew what the other was thinking.

Regis watched the show and saw Yemeen talking to one of the others, pointing at the stage. The organizer pointed at her, and she focused on the stage.

Ma am?

Yes?

Where did you find those models?

She smiled slowly and took on her Elite form. Oh, they are family.

Yemeen blinked and looked past her. It seemed Rex was doing the same. Where can I hire you?

Well, I am a pastry chef; she s a stuntwoman.

I am willing to beg.

She snorted, reached into her pocket, and pulled out a card. If you need one of us, we are available; you just have to ask at the right time.

Ira was watching the rehearsal with wide eyes, and when Asel came out with Vemel, she squealed and cheered.

Yemeen looked at the two. Good god. Ford is going to shit himself. I haven t ever seen someone bluer than he is. They are gorgeous.

Regis smiled. And they are both dancers.

Yemeen groaned. You are kidding.

Nope. Mind you, when he s standard colours, he s a model. His name is Vemel.

Oh, man.

Regis chuckled.

When Pandora came out, they rose and clapped wildly, and Ira was hooting her approval. Pandora paused, grabbed Kay, and hauled her out while Kay looked pale.

Pandora hauled her to the end of the runway, took a bow, and the other six guys came out from the back, as well as all the other males who hadn t had a turn with their mates. It was a very crowded runway.

Yemeen walked up to Pandora, and she grinned, introducing him to Vemel and Asel. Themak was nearby, grinning.

The crowd was going to be the last display of the night, and Pandora quickly ushered them to the back so they could wrap up in silky robes so as not to blow the surprise for the audience.

Pandora had done a wonderful job. Each design identified the zodiac and highlighted characteristics in cut and movement.

Regis watched the robed models moving around and smiling. The quick changes for the ladies were safe in the back. Pandora had wrapped enough energy around them to deter a tank.

The models were congratulating Pandora on her designs, and Ira ran up to hug her.

Pandora hugged her and lifted her high, introducing her to the dark elves that she hadn t met yet.

Ira smiled and shook hands, greeting them by name.

Regis smiled. Her little girl had her talent for knowing the elves around her.

The golden princess was going to have a large court to keep her safe as she grew.

Rex smiled. This is her first time meeting them.

Regis nodded and saw Denith and Toros approaching. Yes, and she is making quite an impression.

Ira s hand pointed toward Regis, and she got to her feet. Rex got up next to her and muttered, Showtime.

They joined the crowd as the venue completed the setup around them.

Denith smiled as he joined them. So, this is your daughter?

Yes. This is Ira. Now that her dad is loose, I hope to introduce them.

Denith paused. Who is her father?

Regis said softly, Sirrush.

The softly spoken name froze all the alphas in their tracks.

Denith blinked. So, you were serious.

I don t fuck giant chained-up dragons often, so yes. She murmured it softly.

Denith spoke softly, How did you get past the guards?

Rex cleared her throat. I volunteered as tribute.

He looked at her, started to grin, and then burst into giggles. Both of them?

Both of them. Rex was grim.

Denith looked around. Where are they?

Regis sighed. No idea. Don t know what they are calling themselves now either.

He looked at her seriously. He s around. He will be here.

She looked at him and sighed as Myrtle held Ira, chatting about inviting her for lunch to Denith s restaurant.

Regis grinned. If Myrtle keeps going, you are going to have a restaurant full of elf omegas.

He grinned. It will freak out my staff, but I am not complaining.

She laughed. Being the omega hotspot isn t a bad thing, I suppose.

It definitely is not. His eyes flickered, and he smiled softly.

What was that?

Oh, nothing. Just a private note.

Regis spoke softly. Ira, you have to do your homework.

Elaheh appeared and said, And I am summoned. Come on, squirt. Let s slam through those equations so you can watch all the prancing with a clear conscience.

Ira squirmed to get down and took her tutor s hand. They walked to the back of the stage, where a desk and chair were waiting for her.

Denith blinked. You make her do homework on nights like this?

She s the first of her kind, and she s a princess; plus, she loves Ela, and they get along.

And she likes homework?

Surprisingly, yes. When Ela is there to fire questions at, she has so much fun.

Pandora asked, Has anyone seen Kay?

Regis looked around and saw Kay walking off with two tall men, taking animatedly. She didn t think anything of it until Vemel looked over, and his eyes widened. What the hell are they doing here?

Who?

Those two men are djinn, and they are talking to that beta like they know her.

Regis looked at the three talking and occasionally gesturing to the nearby woods. Kay slapped a hand over her face. I can t fucking go until he s here!

The shout carried, and Kay looked toward them, where a sea of black and white faces were staring at her. She stalked back and said, Fine. It s now then. Teyval, Myrtle, come with me. I need to tell a story.

Myrtle blinked and took Teyval s hand. I love a good story.

Achilles looked at them. I think I need to hear this.

Kay hauled them off to the woods, chairs and the two djinn just appeared, and everyone sat for a chat.

Regis looked to Vemel. Do you know what this is about?

He frowned. No, I don t. I am intensely curious, though. Teyval looks like he s laying an egg, and if Achilles covers his mouth any harder, he s going to cave his skull in. Myrtle looks like she s having fun.

Regis looked to Myrtle. Her eyes were wide and sparkling, and her fingers itched as if she wanted to be writing or typing. Yeah, she s nearly humming with energy.

Regis watched until Pandora said, We need to get Achilles and Teyval back. The show is about to start.

Achilles reached out to touch Kay, but she smiled, and he didn t make contact. All three of them bowed to Kay and slowly returned to the stage area. Achilles, Teyval, and Myrtle all looked like they had a shock.

Regis asked, Myrtle, are you okay?

Oh, it explains so much. She said I could write it. I don t know where to start. Myrtle looked around blindly, and Denith came to take her to their seats.

Regis looked at the filling venue. Ira came to her and said, We have to sit. It s important.

Regis nodded, and Elaheh sat with them as the fashion show for donations for the school expansion started.

Each designer had a theme. Horror, circus, science fiction, and the zodiac. Pandora s offering would have gotten a lot more attention if there hadn t been over seventy elves in the audience.

When Pandora grabbed Kay and hugged her for the final bow, there was applause, cheering from the children, then there was a light in the sky, and it was rapidly getting larger.

Regis got to her feet and pushed Ira behind her. She was going to take a step toward the incoming light, but a warm hand grabbed her wrist.

She looked up and saw a familiar smile. Hello, love. Just wait here. This isn t your fight.

Regis looked into his eyes and lunged into a hug. He wrapped his arms around her and stroked her back. It is good to see you, love.

She looked up, and her tears covered her cheeks. What s your name?

Avor. Avor Rush. He cupped her cheeks and kissed her.

There was a gentle tugging at her arm, and she suddenly remembered where she was. She reluctantly leaned away. Oh, Avor, this is our daughter. Amiraith. We call her Ira.

He kept his hand on her waist as he crouched and smiled at Ira, eye to eye. Hello, Ira.

Ira smiled. You re my dad. Do you have wings?

Yes. Four shapes and three have wings.

Ira stuck her small hand out. Pleased to meet you.

Regis swallowed as his hand wrapped around Ira s entire wrist to shake her hand. He smiled and blinked away tears. Pleased to meet you. I dreamed about you and your mom.

And my sister?

Regis froze. What?

My sister. I had a sister the first time. Ira smiled. I knew her when I saw her the first time. She glows the same.