Page 69 of The Purrfect Rival (Enchanted Falls #1)
SIXTY-NINE
T he Foxworthy parlor—exclusive domain of fox clan for generations—now contained representatives from every shifter clan in Enchanted Falls. Lysander and Jinli sat side-by-side on the floral settee, fox and lion elders in civil conversation. Fenris examined family photographs with genuine interest. Ursula sampled foxberry cakes with appreciative murmurs.
Rust appeared instantly at her side, his hand finding the small of her back. His body radiated heat against her, grounding her in his strength.
The room quieted, all eyes turning toward them. Jinli rose with leonine grace.
“Archivist Foxworthy,” she greeted. “Your recovery brings relief to all clans.”
Kalyna automatically attempted the formal lion bow Rust had taught her—chin down, right arm across chest, left extended at precisely forty-five degrees. A ripple of approval passed through the lion contingent.
Jinli’s eyes widened before her lips curved into a smile. With careful deliberation, she executed a fox greeting in return—a complex series of gestures involving three distinct bow depths and a final palm flourish. Despite her unfamiliarity with the movements, she performed them with surprising elegance.
“Apparently, I’ve been practicing lion customs for nothing,” Kalyna whispered to Rust.
“Terribly unfair,” he murmured back, his breath tickling her ear. “It took me three tries to master your ridiculous triple-bow.”
“Only three? I’m impressed.”
Their quiet exchange drew indulgent smiles from nearby council members—a far cry from the disapproving glares such familiarity would have earned weeks ago.
Lysander cleared his throat. “Now that both principals are present, we may proceed with official acknowledgment of recent events.”
What followed was unprecedented. Instead of separate clan testimonies, representatives spoke in turn about the ritual site’s transformation, the purified heirloom, and the sight of fox and lion magic working in harmony.
“The prophecy of red and gold united,” Elder Willow concluded, “was never a warning, but a promise. What was divided can be whole again.”
The council unveiled their decisions—joint magical research, relaxed territory boundaries, and expanded leadership including Kalyna and Rust as official clan liaisons.
“Your bond bridges centuries of separation,” Jinli explained. “It represents a new path forward.”
“We’d intended a formal ceremony,” Lysander added, looking mildly put out. “With proper protocol.”
“Fox protocol or lion protocol?” Echo appeared in the doorway, grinning. “Because those are very different things.”
Lysander’s mouth tightened, but Jinli surprised everyone by laughing—rich and melodious.
“Indeed they are,” she agreed. “Which is precisely why we need guides who understand both.”
Echo approached Kalyna, his usual mischief subdued beneath genuine remorse. “Kal, I need to say?—”
“Later,” she interrupted gently, seeing the weight in his eyes. “We’ll talk privately.”
As the elders departed, Kalyna watched interactions that would have been unthinkable before—Fenris and Lysander discussing texts, Ursula inviting Jinli to sample honey mead, Draven accepting Winston’s offer to view telescopes.
“It’s really happening,” she murmured as Rust’s arm slipped around her waist, drawing her against his side where she fit perfectly.
“Not without friction,” he cautioned, pressing a kiss to her temple. “But it’s a start.”
His scent enveloped her—cedar and spice, now as familiar as her own. Her fox stirred contentedly at his closeness, recognizing its mate. Through her heightened sensitivity, she detected tension in his shoulders.
“What aren’t you telling me?” she asked, tilting her face up to his.
His expression remained neutral, but she caught the brief flicker in his eyes. She’d surprised him with her perception.
“Later,” he echoed her response to Echo. “When you’re stronger.”
She narrowed her eyes. “That’s fox evasion from a lion. Suspicious.”
A smile tugged on his lips. “Perhaps you’re rubbing off on me.”
“Terrifying thought.”