“When Neelo arrives,” Carys said, looking around the table, “we’ll have the five crowns of Okrith under one roof.”

“And who is the fifth?” Aneryn asked.

“It’s me, isn’t it, blue?” Talhan said, leaning back in his chair and swigging from his goblet.

“Perhaps,” Aneryn demurred.

Carys leaned her elbows on the table. “Do you know who will win the crown?”

Aneryn tipped her head to the side. “Perhaps,” she said again.

Talhan snickered. “That’s a no, then.”

“Maybe,” Aneryn said, peeking over her cards at them. “Or maybe I just don’t want to disappoint all of you.”

Renwick’s cheeks dimpled as the Eagles and Carys frowned. “This is the problem with the Fates,” he said. “She could tell you all of your futures and you’d either argue with her as if she weaves the threads herself, or you’d get mad at her if that future doesn’t come to pass.”

“The better question would be: What future do you want her to whisper?” Rua’s eyes lifted to Bri. “I think the answer to that would be far more telling.”

Bri grabbed for her goblet, letting the maroon liquid burn down her throat. She tossed in her losing cards and dropped her hand under the table again, uncaring if everyone noticed as she threaded her fingers through Lina’s, holding Lina’s hand in her lap. She already knew what future she wanted the Fates to whisper.

Chapter 37

Chapter Thirty-Seven

The floral scent of the Spring Equinox ball welcomed the guests before they even stepped through the wide archway. Above, night-blooming flowers twined through open windows and climbed along the vaulted ceilings. A riot of brilliant spring colors adorned the hall—garlands of pink and yellow, brilliant bouquets of red and blue, and a rainbow of petals cascading down the aisle to the dance floor.

The heady scent was intoxicating—mixed with the smell of honeyed wine and fresh fruit pastries. Light music danced along the stone, mingling with the banter of party guests. A long wooden table stretched across the dais where half of Bri’s friends already sat, peering over the crowd. Bri spotted Aneryn dancing with the green witch Laris, the two of them laughing as they missed the steps to the dance. It warmed her to see an easy smile on Aneryn’s face. The witches had once shunned her, but the green witch holding her hands didn’t seem to care.

Rua stepped down from the dais to greet Bri. She wore a beautiful red and gold tunic with long belled sleeves and her dark hair was twisted half back and held in place with shimmering sapphire clips. Instead of her usual crown, gilded flowers perched atop her head. Bri smirked, thinking of Remy’s wedding and how much Rua had hated her outfit. Now, she looked in complete control—equally fierce and beautiful.