Page 197 of Triumph of the Elderoak
“Ava,” Maeryn said from across the table. “You have a beautiful kitchen. So much space.”
“Thank you.”
“Just ask her, Firefly,” Raine urged.
“Ask me what?” Ava said.
Maeryn looked nervous for some reason. And she never looked nervous.
Raine kissed the top of Maeryn’s hand before speaking. “She wants you to bake the cake for our wedding. She just didn’t want to inconvenience you.”
Ava practically bounced in her seat with excitement. “Really? Yes! Oh yes! I’ll make the best cake you’ve ever had in your life. How long do we have? Three weeks?” she rambled. “Tell me what flavors you like, and I’ll make a bunch of small trial cakes. And you can come over and test them and?—”
“I don’t think she’s inconvenienced,” Raine said to Maeryn, looking at her with affection.
Casimir leaned over and whispered in Ava’s ear, “You’re doing that thing I like. Rambling when you get excited.”
“I’ll never stop, then.”
He pressed a kiss to her temple. “Please, don’t.”
“Brother,” Fanya chastised from her seat. “I own a bakery, and you didn’t ask me?”
Raine grimaced. “You’re an excellent baker. The best pastries in town. And…I’m sorry to say this, but Ava’s cakes are better.”
Fanya feigned offense, then laughed.
Ava sipped her wine, a quiet spectator in this beautiful, ordinary scene. The siblings continued to tease each other. Thorne and Quinn murmured to one another and blushed. Pax’s rumbling laugh echoed as he told a story about some of the new recruits in the army. Isolde called for her children to come eat, and they shrieked excitedly as they rushed over. Raine whispered something to Maeryn, both of them smiling. Jorrar kissed Kai’s forehead with tenderness. Casimir’s hand moved to Ava’s hair, gently toying with it.
Ava’s heart was full to bursting with love and gratitude as she took in this vibrant, perfectly imperfect group of people. There was no room for worry or fear any longer. In this moment, she had everything she had ever needed.
Family. Friends. Joy. Love. Peace. Healing. Belonging.
And home.
