Chapter 60

AURORA

I admit, I was a little on edge when I first saw the crowd. But as I started to meet everyone, my nerves began to settle. They were all so warm and welcoming, even when Rin wasn’t by my side.

It seemed like they all knew about my inability to speak, and they were patient with reading my tablet and understanding my body language. I was thankful for their easy acceptance. After all, being Rin’s beta was a big deal.

“This sure is a lively gathering,” Lana commented as we walked together later. She’d found me chatting with a few of the Faeries and had asked me to join her. She wanted me to meet someone.

I nodded, scanning the crowd. “It sure is. Who did you want me to meet? There are so many people here,” I typed out.

Lana gave me a comforting smile. “Don’t worry. He’s an old family friend who’s been wanting to meet you for a while. He’s usually tied up with other things, so it’s not always easy for him to visit.”

We were nearing one of the gazebos on the edge of the courtyard. It was quieter there, not as many people milling about. But what really caught my attention was the figure standing in front of the gazebo with Jekia and Rin. I was taken aback at first. Was that Sage?

No, on closer inspection, I realized it wasn’t him, though he was another silver fox. He was as tall as Jekia, with silver hair tied loosely at the back and fox ears. His eyes were a striking gold and he had numerous tails. I counted nine and remembered what Rin had told me about the significance of the number of tails. This fox was older and incredibly powerful.

Then it clicked. Rin had mentioned that his father had a brother who had helped him adjust to life outside the palace when he’d run away. This must be him.

“Ah, there they are,” Jekia said as we approached them.

“Sorry we took so long. The Faeries were really enjoying Aurora’s company, so it took us a while to excuse ourselves,” Lana explained.

“True. They have a knack for judging character and are extremely friendly to those they like,” the fox agreed. I noticed his gaze on me, as if he was studying me. “And you are the one Rin was destined for. You’re as lovely as I’ve been told.”

“We don’t say things we don’t mean,” Jekia reminded him.

“Of course not, and neither do I,” the fox replied.

“We’re not the type to sweet talk, even if some of you enjoy doing it when it suits you,” Rin chimed in.

The fox took it in stride. “I can’t deny that. But I also don’t want to be rude,” He gave me a polite bow. “I am Musket, Sage’s remaining brother.”

I nodded, showing him my tablet. “I’m Aurora. I’m sorry I can’t speak out loud to you.”

“It’s fine. I heard about your inability to speak when Rin found you, and about what happened recently. I must say, you’ve become a strong beta in a very short time. Not many humans could do that,” Musket told me.

“We could chalk it up to fate, but I doubt that made much of a difference,” Jekia stated.

“I don’t think so either. I can’t remember hearing about many other humans like Aurora and Mother,” Rin added.

“No, you wouldn’t, and Jekia is right. Fate alone didn’t dictate what Lana or Aurora have become. They had to do that on their own. But it’s a relief that this has happened. Now all we need is for the other wayward son to find his own,” Musket responded.

“Are we really pushing this again for Rayne? I don’t see why we need to. Shouldn’t everything happen in its own time?” Lana argued.

“While I agree that it shouldn’t be rushed, I don’t think it would be a bad thing for him when it happens. It does tend to settle alphas down once they have their betas, although in your case it ended up being an omega,” Jekia agreed.

“I could say that I’m one of a kind, but that wouldn’t be true now that Aurora is here,” Lana said, smiling at me.

“I wonder if Rayne will end up with a human beta as well. It seems to be a pattern with us, doesn’t it?” Rin mused.

“That’s a possibility for anyone on this side. Only time will tell,” Musket reminded him. He turned back to me. “But I’m glad to see that Aurora is doing well. I have no doubt now that you two are a good match.”

“So, the mighty Musket approves of my lady?” Rin teased.

“There’s no reason for me not to when you two are so happy together,” Musket responded.

Hearing his approval felt good. Musket clearly still played a big role in Rin’s life, even if he wasn’t around often. And it seemed like he was good friends with Jekia and Lana, considering he spoke to them without using honorifics, unlike many others. But I guessed that was natural considering how close Sage had been to them.

As the day went on, I felt completely at ease mingling with our guests. It was fun getting to know them, trying their food, and dancing with them. No one seemed bothered by my lack of voice, which felt liberating. It felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

As the night began to creep in, most of the crowd had already dispersed. They didn’t want to risk crossing the forest with the wild creatures that came out after dark. They weren’t exactly warriors, even if they did carry weapons for protection. It was safer not to tempt fate.

Rin and I found ourselves alone on the steps of a gazebo, watching the sprites dance around the flowers, leaving trails of colored sparkles in their wake. They always came out at this time of the evening. They were a bit shy, but they were sweet and gentle creatures.

“It was a good day, wasn’t it?” Rin asked, his arms wrapped around me from behind.

I nodded, leaning back into him, my eyes closed. I enjoyed the company of others, but these quiet moments with Rin were precious to me. It reminded me of when we first met.

“I was surprised by the turnout too, but it was great. It shows that they were all eager to meet you. I’ve heard a lot of requests for us to visit their homes. I’m glad. It shows they’ve accepted us,” Rin continued.

His words caught my attention, and I handed him my tablet.

“You finally feel accepted too?”

Rin chuckled softly. “Yes, I do. It’s the first time in my life that I’ve felt it, but I’ve been realizing that I should have all along. We can’t change what we’re born as, but we can learn to accept it. I think that maybe we even need to find the one who helps us do it.”

“I’m glad I have, and that I’ve gotten to meet you,” I wrote. I turned slightly to touch his face, adding, “I wish I could say out loud that I love you.”

“I know you do, and I love you no matter what comes, even if you can never speak out loud to me again,” Rin promised, pressing a sweet kiss to my forehead.

“I am quite sorry to interrupt, but perhaps I can offer help with that,” Emelio’s voice suddenly broke in. We both sat up as he appeared before us, his familiar content smile on his now scarred face. He’d told me he wasn’t going to do anything about the scars, wanting to keep them as reminders to be more vigilant in his duties.

“Offer help? Does this mean they’ve finally found a way for Aurora to speak again?”

Rin’s voice was hopeful. I was hopeful too. If there was a safe way for me to regain my voice, especially to speak to Rin, I would do it.

“Yes, it would appear so, though we will have to give it a try to see if it works,” Emelio answered. He offered me a hand to help me stand, and Rin quickly followed.

“What are you going to do? Did they give you something for her to wear or implant?” Rin asked.

“No. There was a bit of concern about doing those things, so they have decided to take a bit of a different approach.” Emelio pulled a small brown leather bag from his vest pocket. A soft blue glow pulsed from within. “I realize this may seem odd, but from what was explained to me, this is the safest way to restore Aurora’s voice. However, she will have to help me do it.”

I nodded, feeling a mix of anxiety and eagerness. I was willing to try anything to be able to say those three words out loud to Rin.

Emelio gave me a reassuring pat on my shoulder. “Do not be nervous. Neither they nor I would ever do anything to harm you,” he reminded me. “Now, you have been learning to control your new abilities and condense some of it into those butterflies you can create, haven’t you?”

I nodded again.

“Good, good; though I would expect no less with your natural talent for such things. But moving on, I would like you to concentrate and create one of your butterflies, only you will give it the specific purpose of melding back into your throat.”

It was an odd request, and not something I’d tried before, but I did as he asked, closing my eyes and concentrating as I held my hands up in front of me. I could feel the warmth condense there, and the butterfly formed as I opened my eyes. It glowed a soft, light blue as it fluttered about an inch over my palms.

Emelio held the bag in front of it and untied the top. A gentle glow that had been inside of it floated out like a pearl-sized orb of light, going straight to the butterfly and absorbing into it. The butterfly glowed brighter as it did, and I felt a gentle surge of warmth wash over my hands.

“Let it float into you now,” Emelio urged me.

I did as he said, willing the butterfly to do so. It fluttered up, landing on my throat. I could feel that same warmth wrap around my neck as it melded into me.

“It seems to have merged well. Now, why not try to speak?” Emelio suggested.

I nodded, touching my throat. “Y-yes.”

My voice was soft, but I think that was more due to my hesitation. After weeks of silence, I had my voice back. I could hear my own voice from my mouth. I no longer needed to write things down.

Rin was overjoyed, picking me up and hugging me. “It worked! It actually worked!”

Emelio was just as happy as Rin and I looked over at him. It was interesting to see him express such emotion. He was usually so calm and collected.

“There were high hopes, and I am quite ecstatic over this as well. I wanted to keep my promise to you, my dear, and I am thankful that they made it so that I was able to,” he told me.

“Thank you so much. I appreciate it, and I’m going to use it to speak up for myself and others now,” I promised.

Rin was just as grateful. “Thank you for pushing this, and for always helping us. You have no idea how grateful we are to have you too.”

“Maybe, but I’m thankful to be here. Jekia is a good leader and your dad was a great fox. I’m looking forward to serving this family for many more moons, and I know I’ll keep enjoying it,” Emelio said, reassuring him.

He gave us another polite bow before vanishing in a puff of smoke. Rin smiled, letting out a soft chuckle. “He’s really something. I’m glad he’s sticking around. I think we can learn as much from him as we did from our dad.”

“Probably. Emelio seems pretty wise, but I guess he’d have to be if he’s a Mage created to serve a ruler,” I added.

“Probably,” Rin agreed. He pulled me into a tight hug. “I’m so thankful you can talk again, not just for me, but because it gives you back your freedom.”

I hugged him back just as tightly. “I’m so glad to have it back. Now I can finally say out loud that I love you.”

“I love you too; more than you’ll ever know,” Rin whispered back. He pulled away and held my left hand, gently tracing his fingers over the ring he’d given me. The stone lit up as he did, the foxfire inside it sparking. “No matter what happens, I’ll never leave you, and I hope you’ll never leave me. I would have made this promise even if you could never talk again.”

“I know, and I’ll never leave you. I might not have ever imagined meeting you before I came to this world, but I’m glad fate brought us together,” I told him.

Rin smiled, cradling my face and kissing me. It was a tender kiss that felt like a promise of a lifetime of love.

“My sweet Amore,” he whispered, our eyes closed and faces close. “I’m so thankful to call you my beta, but even more to call you my wife.”

I giggled. “And I’m thankful to call you my husband, even though I never thought I’d say my husband is part fox, part human.”

“I like to think I’m unique.” Rin laughed.

“You are,” I assured him before giving him another kiss, “and I’m forever yours.”