“I want everything to be perfect for Stacy’s sake. She deserves it.”
Kiera could agree with that.
“And I don’t want anything…breaking.”
Kiera laughed. “Then why in the world would you get out the crystal? I think Stacy will be fine with pizza and paper plates.”
“We must do our very best to represent this estate to its finest quality,” Rowan intoned as if reciting from a book. One he had written, probably.
Miles had spent the afternoon selecting the best roses from the garden and arranging them in vases around the house. Vases Rowan had polished twice last night, of course. Kiera had spent the day preparing food. All except dessert, which she’d been told would be provided by Khan’s cook, Esme.
She snatched a cloth off the table. “At least let me help you, then.”
She had come here because she was curious about what Rowan was up to but also because she could no longer stand the tension between them. She didn’t know what to say now that she was standing at his side, polishing the handle of a teapot she doubted anyone would use tonight.
Thankfully, he spoke first. His tone was softer than moments ago. “I’m sorry for not telling you about Wraith and the favor I called in. I thought it would only make you upset. I see now that it was worse for you to find out without me telling you.”
Kiera was silent for a few heartbeats. “I understand why you did it. I only wish you had told me beforehand. For a moment, I thought you were calling her because you…missed her. I know now it was all for Amy.”
Rowan nudged her with his elbow. “Regardless of whatever happened with us and Wraith, you’re my number one.”
Kiera grinned. “Not Miles?”
“He’s number two, and he knows it.”
This earned a chuckle from Kiera. She sobered after as she set the teapot on the tablecloth. “I know a lot of shit was said back then by both of us. I know we fucked up our friendship, or whatever it was. I want to leave it in the past, though. I’m tired of holding grudges, especially against people who are truly good at heart.”
Rowan met her gaze and nodded. “I would very much like to start over with you, Kiera.”
The emotion in his voice made her heart ache.
He laid a hand over hers. “Remember what I promised you all those years ago? That one day, I would help you find your way back to your homeland, and we’d take down your idiot father together?”
Kiera’s amber eyes shone. “I don’t think I want that anymore. Vengeance doesn’t feel as good as you think. Besides, I have a home here, and it’s a hell of a lot better than anything I would have gotten in the fae world.”
Rowan cleared his throat as if struggling to find words that did not betray the deep emotion rising in him. “That’s good to hear.”
Kiera kissed her old friend’s cheek, then pointed to the plate he was rubbing with a cloth. “You missed a spot.”
Rowan clinked a knife on his glass to get everyone’s attention. Stacy gave him a grateful look as the onlookers turned toward her standing on the back patio. Her guests mingled around the fountain, through the grove of fir trees, and among rose bushes. Miles had outdone himself. Everyone had. Stacy was blown away by the depth of preparation her friends had done today.
She wore a deep emerald dress and a broad smile. The setting sun cast her and the guests in a golden glow. “I want to thank everyone for coming here tonight. I’ve never had a housewarming party before, and I don’t think I could have had a better one than this.
“I appreciate your support through recent events. Moving here was an easy decision, but leaving my old firm was not. I am now looking to transition into my own legal practice.” Her green eyes sparkled, matching her dress. “I wouldn’t leave the law forever, you know.”
A scattering of laughter and applause followed before Stacy continued. “I am committed to justice and supporting the underprivileged. That did not change when I left the city. I will fight every day to help those in need, you can be certain of that. I couldn’t have reached this point without everyone here. You have all taught me something valuable.”
It would be easier with Lenny and Victor out of the way, she hoped, though she was well aware many formidable foes were still out there and could rise against her. I know I can defeat them now, she thought. I have the allies I need.
She gazed into the faces of former bosses and colleagues who’d guided her through her career. She spotted Amy and Ethan, who had become her dearest friends. Then there were the members of her current estate and those she had grown up around. “There is one more thing,” she announced. “I am not quite who you all think I am.”
The small crowd went still. Puzzlement shone in the faces of her former coworkers and city friends. Esme, Reginald, and Torin glanced at each another. Stacy looked at Amy to see her friend beaming with pride.
She hesitated, then at a nod of encouragement from Rowan, stated, “I have gone by the name Stacy Drake since attending college because I wanted to hide from my legacy and find my own way. I’m done hiding, and I have found my way. Therefore, I think it’s time to tell you that my real name is Anastasia Drakethorn, though I hope to God none of you start calling me Anastasia. I’m still Stacy.”
A chorus of whispers filled with awe and speculation passed through her audience. Some expressed shock, others admiration. A few wore skeptical looks. “Stacy is a Drakethorn?” she heard one man murmur. “Aren’t they damn near mythological?”
Stacy spoke up again. “I have found my own way now, and it happens to be that what I want and who I am are the same thing. So, let’s raise a toast to the future.” Her gaze drifted over the heads of the crowd until she found Ethan standing at the back. He offered her a smile of pride and lifted his glass.
Stacy warmed at the gesture. She’d have some explaining to do and would have to navigate it without talking about magic with many of these people. She was ready, though. I have been for a while, she thought. Now it’s time to be my true, full self.
Her gaze at last moved to a figure standing at the back of the garden, several paces away from the crowd. Khan winked at her from the shadows, his eyes glowing golden, not in wrath but in pride. Stacy only hoped her father wouldn’t turn into a dragon to prove the Drakethorns were not “damn near mythological.”
Following the toast and some mingling in the crowd, Stacy retreated to the privacy of the library war room inside the house. Her gaze stole to the door leading into her mother’s secret room. It was hard to believe she’d discovered it only days ago. What would she think of all this? she wondered as she traced the locket around her neck.
She remembered something Rowan had told her earlier today. Catherine would have loved all this regardless of the stress of putting it together. Stacy had the sense that only Rowan had been stressed.
She pictured her mother as she strode to the window and overlooked the back portion of her estate. The guests danced under twinkling lights strung through the trees. Many of them clustered together in deep conversation. About me, no doubt, she guessed.
The thought of her mother reaffirmed her commitment to the ideals Catherine had laid out and used to build this home. It carved a clear path forward. Stacy felt a mixture of pride and responsibility. “I will make you proud,” she whispered to her mother’s spirit.
“Mind if I join you?” a cool-toned voice called from the doorway.
Stacy turned to see Kiera gliding in, two glasses of wine in hand. She gave one to Stacy, who cast her an appreciative glance.
“Just wanted a moment to reflect,” Stacy admitted.
