“At least you were able to return the small island to those villagers,” Ainsley observed, then shook her head, her red hair braided elegantly down her back.
“Yes, and it’s protected now,” Mahkah advised. “The natives have been warned not to venture too far off the shore to stay protected inside the barrier. Quiet is working to reinforce the work I did since he’s better at it than me.”
“Maybe Quiet will know about the barrier that the Rogue Riders are using,” Sophia offered.
“And maybe one of you can understand a word he says,” Evan replied.
“He might,” Hiker stated. “But again, I need to research this matter. Something tells me our barriers and the ones the Rogue Riders are using are very different.” He glanced sideways at Wilder. “Did you learn anything else about the demon dragonriders?”
He nodded. “They have an unhealthy fear of their leader. None of them chew with their mouth shut. They bully and pillage to get every single thing they have. And they profit off the criminal world.”
Hiker pressed his lips together, appearing slightly deterred. “I’m not sure any of that is new information.”
“Well, then we’ll have to keep an eye on them and learn more,” Sophia stated.
“You aren’t doing anything until you’re fully healed,” Hiker ordered while pointing at her, then Wilder. “The same goes for both of you.”
“I can do some reconnaissance since I didn’t get myself hurt when I was saving the day,” Evan offered.
“Oh, were you there?” Ainsley appeared quite serious. “I thought you’d been playing video games in your room all week.”
Evan scoffed. “I saved the freaking day. Sophia was crying nonstop, and I was like, ‘Princess, I’ll create a massive diversion. All you have to do it let Wilder out of his cage.’”
Sophia laughed. “That’s almost exactly how it happened.”
“Thanks for teaching me how to make the waterspouts,” Evan said to Mama Jamba. “That’s now my newest party trick.”
“Speaking of parties,” Trin poked her head into Hiker’s office and interrupted the meeting that was almost over. “The party is on in the dining hall,”
“Party?” Hiker questioned.
“Probably to celebrate me and all my bravery and all-around awesomeness,” Evan boasted.
“Definitely that,” Trin answered. “As well as Wilder’s safe return, the others’ courage and success, and also that other thing.”
“Other thing?” Evan arched an eyebrow at her.
“Well, your divorce being final, of course,” Trin stated before she turned and trotted away.
“Your divorce, of course.” Sophia winked at her friend.
“Of course.” Evan blushed as he smiled.
Chapter Seventy-Two
The decorations in the dining hall were incredible. It appeared that Trin had really embraced her role as housekeeper. She also seemed to have an affinity for autumn, having placed pumpkins all over the large space. Orange, yellow, and red leaves were sprinkled all down the long table, and twinkling orange lights hung from the chandeliers.
“Wow. I feel like I’ve walked into a pumpkin patch,” Wilder said in astonishment as they spilled into the Castle’s decorated dining hall.
Evan playfully slapped Ainsley’s arm. “Look, this is what festive is. How many centuries and you didn’t decorate for a single holiday?”
“I always centered my efforts on an event that hasn’t come to pass,” Ainsley stated with her nose in the air.
“Oh? What was that?” Mischief twinkled in Evan’s eyes.
“Your funeral,” she chirped. “It was going to be the most lavish affair.”
He laughed. “Well, too bad for you, it’s not happening anytime soon.”
Trin hurried out from the kitchen, carrying a tray of several steaming dishes. As she set it down, Sophia could have sworn that her hair was neater than usual, the wires corralled back and to the side. Her black outfit also appeared new, and it seemed like she might be wearing makeup on the parts of her face that weren’t metal-covered.
“What’s that heavenly smell?” Wilder waved the steam toward his nose.
“Roasted duck nestled in a butternut squash risotto and served with roasted asparagus and curried sweet potatoes,” Trin answered proudly.
“I don’t mean to sound overly excited about the prospect of eating real food after my stint on the island,” Wilder began, “but I’ve never been happier to sit at this table right now.”
“I’m sitting here right now,” Ainsley said dryly from her place next to Hiker.
“Very good,” Evan said in a baby-like tone. “And I’m right here. It’s good when we’re lucid enough to know our current locations.”
The elf shook her head but smiled up at Trin. “You’re hitting your stride with things now.”
Trin curtsied slightly. “I’m trying. I thought that it was nice to celebrate every win. I know that the Rogue Riders are still out there and they still need to be taught a lesson, but there’s been a small success and for that, I thought you all deserved a treat.”
“Plus, it’s nice to celebrate the harvest season,” Mahkah added.
“And Wilder’s return.” Sophia smiled at him.
“And my divorce to that horrid woman you made me marry against my will.” Evan winked at Sophia.
“Always willing to take one for the team.” Sophia noticed how Trin lit up slightly before heading back for the kitchen.
“Save room for dessert,” the housekeeper advised when almost to the kitchen. “We’re having pumpkin tarts.”
Wilder shook his head and dug into the mashed curried sweet potatoes. He leaned forward in Evan’s direction. “Buy the ring now…”
For a rare occasion, Evan appeared a little uncomfortable.
Hiker cleared his throat, also seeming suddenly anxious. “Well, this is nice, and celebrating is a good idea.” He lifted his goblet of mead and held it high. “Let us toast to the small successes that will soon get us to the bigger ones.”
Everyone held up their goblets and clinked them amid a chorus of “cheers.” Soon they were all digging into the food, which was beyond delicious. All that could be heard for a while was the scraping of forks against plates and sipping of drinks.
“So what was the name of the guy who constructed King Arthur’s round table?” Wilder asked everyone out of the blue.
Sophia pressed her hands to her eyes, sensing where this was going.
Evan laughed. “What?”
“Sir Comference!” Wilder laughed.
Sophia pulled her hands away and giggled, then leaned her head on Wilder’s shoulder, so grateful to have him back—even if he’d returned with jokes that were as bad as Lunis’ and Lee’s.
Chapter Seventy-Three
After the autumn feast, Sophia ventured out on the Expanse and enjoyed the cool winds laced with a hint of the approaching colder weather. Soon she’d be trudging through snow to get to the Pond, but that would be all right because this was her home and she enjoyed all the seasons they got here.