"Our son's name will be Ronan." The goblins seated in front of us bang their fists against the table, causing all the plates and glasses to shake, and Dare grins like a fool.
I clear my throat. "And our daughter's name will be Raley!" Everyone stands up and shouts their excitement, clapping and turning to hug each other. I'm told it's been awhile since there was a child born of the Teags' line, but I'm pretty sure it's a mix of drink and Yuletide spirit that's causing such a reaction.
I lock gazes with Arela and nod, giving her the signal that now's the time to bring in our special treat for everyone.
She puts two fingers in her mouth and whistles loudly, drawing attention to herself before everyone's focus shifts to the thirty or so gargoyles flying into the great hall carrying presents in their grip. They chirp and flap their little wings, each of them making a beeline for who I hope is their intended recipient.
"Merry Yule, everyone. Please check the tag on the present to make sure it's yours. I'm not one hundred percent sure that they didn't mix up one or two."
Anarchy and Chaos land on each of my shoulders, both holding a small gift in their mouths. I reach up and take them from them, scratching under their chins and giving them kisses on their snouts. "Thank you, my little beasties."
They chitter at me but stay where they are, watching all the festivities, and I turn, handing both presents to Dare. "These are for you."
"I told you not to get me anything, mo grá." He narrows his eyes at me but still accepts them.
"Well, I didn't listen. So open them." I clap my hands together, excited to see his reaction. I'd only gotten him one, but after of his early present to me, I added a second one.
He rips through them, smiling when he sees the leather cuff bracelet I got him. There's a strip of silver in the center that seemed to match his usual style of leather and metal so I grabbed it before anyone else could. "This is perfect. I shall wear it always."
I nod at the other present. "Open that one." I shift from one foot to the other, impatient to see his reaction to this one.
He smiles at me and does as I say, ripping the packaging in two before seeing a small black box similar to the one he presented to me in the library. He removes the top of it and smirks.
"You copied my idea, then?"
I swat at him. Smug goblin. "Of course I did. If I'm going to wear a ring, you are too, goblin." I snag the thick band in my fingers and toss the box on the table. "I feel you in my bones too, Dare. With every breath you take, it's like you breathe life into me. Would you please wear this ring and show everyone that you're as much mine as I am yours?"
"Of course, mo grá." He holds out his left hand, and I grab it in my smaller one. I slide the wide band onto his finger before gripping his palm and bringing it up to my lips, kissing the ring. He notches his knuckle under my chin and lifts my face to his, brushing his lips over mine before deepening our kiss.
"Oy, that's how you ended up in this mess in the first place!" Kirin shouts.
We break our kiss and I grab a biscuit to throw it at him. Dare catches me before I do, waving a finger at Kirin. "Kissing is not how we made babies, I'll tell you that much."
Warmth spreads upward from my chest to my cheeks as I blush. I hit Dare with the back of my hand on his chest. "Hey! No one needs to know the details! Mind your own, Kirin, or I'll throw more than food at you!"
He holds his glass of whatever the hell he's drinking up and laughs. "Cheers to the expecting parents. Don't worry, Ever, I'll drink a glass for you."
I flip him the bird but laugh anyway. All this revelry surrounding me is infectious. I smile, leaning into Dare as I watch our families mingle. It's not how I expected my life to turn out but I can't think of anything better than this.
Thank You!
Dear Reader, Thank you so much for taking the time to read Yuletide Revelry. I hope you enjoyed reading about Ever and her crew as much as I enjoyed penning their story.
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Stay Wicked, Graceley