Bane Jokura piled his plate high with bird meat and gravy, fresh bread, island fruit, and mini-pastries that were to die for. He had his mouth full before he even found a place to sit.

He waved to Chris, the only male picnicking in a flock of fem-fairies, one of which was his beautiful new wife, nestled in his crossed legs and arms like she was his queen and he was her throne.  

Typical. . . 

Bane was about to squeeze between his sisters on Chris's blanket. But then Jasmine slouched on one arm. . .

And Carina's face came into view.

He performed a fast twirling lift into the air and returned to the buffet table. He added an extra dinner roll to his plate to make it seem like he had returned there for a sound purpose. Then he scanned the area for another place to sit.

The Pyxians were seated together for the most part and there were a few fairy clusters from the army and Ilima. But where was Kale? He hated weddings, but Bane didn't think he would have left before the food was served.

Bane finally spotted his brother, alone in a shady, distant spot on the sand. His wife was on the opposite side of the festivities. That was typical too. Unfortunately. . .

It wasn't Bane's idea of fun, but it was the right thing to do. He zoomed over to Kale and tossed him the extra dinner roll. "These Canadian fairies can cook! Taste that."

After a shrug, Kale took a bite. "It's all right," he claimed, unenthused.

Bane plopped on the sand next to him and picked from his plate a little bit of everything with his fork. "What's up with you today?" Bane muttered, his mouth full. "You're not still mad at him, are you?"

They both looked over at Chris. His wife was now feeding him a forkful of cake. She wiped the mess she made with a cloth napkin and a deep soulful kiss followed.

Kale and Bane rolled their eyes simultaneously.

"No. I wouldn't be here if I was," Kale said.

"Then what's. . . ?

He swallowed his bite of bread and didn't take another one. "I got a letter from the new Kanaloan empress this morning." Kale pulled it from his shirt pocket and held up the envelope for Bane to see. "It's her terms for 'peace.'"

"And?"

"I'll tell you later. It might ruin your appetite."

"Nothing would ever ruin my appetite, so tell me now."

"If you really want to know," Kale said, re-pocketing the envelope. "She wants control of Nohea, the dissolution of the MacRae wormholes, the disbandment of our army, and the heads of Noa Kendri and all of his blood relatives."

"She's nuts!" Bane located Noa. He was standing next to Mano. And Bane didn't like what he saw, but that wasn't because of Noa. Mano was now trying his luck with Carina and was being so over-the-top about it—loud, shirtless, handsy, flashing that perfect smile. Noa appeared to be tagging along, mostly for entertainment. "And why Noa?" And not Mano, Bane almost let slip. He never liked Mano much—he thought he was God's gift to fem-fairies and fairydom in general—and now Bane liked him even less.

"Don't know. Kaila didn't say. She just wants him dead."

"Hmmm, it sounds like we might have a Queen Andromeda in training. Do you think we should tell Chris?"

Chris and Cassie were surprisingly in different locations. Chris was spinning Morgan in mid-air circles to the music. When the song stopped and changed, Morgan joined hands with Ryan. Cassie then frolicked over to Chris, now emptyhanded, giving the impression she was gliding through the air with wings. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and they began to sway, basking in the ocean breeze, the melon hue of the setting sun, and the aura of their love.  

"No, not now," Kale said, "because he looks so goddamn happy." 

Chris whispered something in his bride's ear. Whatever he said, it must have been good. She gave him a kiss, another one, that nearly had him toppling over in the sand.  

Bane squinted one eye and cocked his head as he watched. He was slightly disgusted and yet intrigued and saddened. He couldn't imagine what it would feel like to have someone love him that much. And he feared he never would. "Do you think they'll ever come up for air?"

"Would you?"

"Yes! Death by kiss is a grand gesture and all, but it somehow seems a little unnecessary. Wasteful even. . ."

Kale didn't laugh. Instead, he looked proud. "That's a good answer. Don't ever fall for someone that hard. We need you strong and levelheaded . . . always. And let's hope Chris gets through this crazy phase of his and returns from his honeymoon ready to lead. We're gonna need him tough again."

"Yeah . . . tough," Bane agreed flatly. He dropped his gaze for a dispirited moment of introspection. Just like me. "And hey, any word from Dad yet?"

Kimo Jokura taught them everything they knew. He gave them a purpose, a home, and an identity. And rules to live by, one of which he didn't himself uphold. Check in regularly. . .

"No, not yet. We might be on our own."

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cassie was gazing into her husband's eyes while they spun in slow circles. Her keen senses were wading through his thoughts, coming and going, deep and turbulent like the tide. But he was too lost to notice. His lips were pressed together, though not in a smile. For the first time that day, his happiness seemed absent. And she knew why. "You're thinking about your family."

"I am, but I should probably stop." He wiped a tear from his eye, sighed, and glanced skyward. "I hope they're happy for us . . . wherever they are."

"Chris. . ." She placed her hand on his cheek and waited for his full attention. "You are a leader, father, and husband, and you put so much heart into each and every one of us. Your family, if they are truly worthy of your concern, ought to appreciate that in any state they are in."

"Thanks. That's nice to hear. I just wish it were true."

"It is true or I wouldn't be wearing this." She placed her left hand on her right collarbone to show him the symbol of their love and fidelity. Then she moved it to his shoulder and took a better look for herself.

"Do you like it?"

"I love it, more than I can say with words. There's something about this sapphire that's really. . ." She wriggled her ring finger around in the fading rays of sunlight. "Mesmerizing. I can't help it. I keep staring at it."

"Well, there's a story behind it. I would tell you now, but. . ." Chris peered around, apparently dissatisfied with the number of guests within hearing range. "I'd rather wait until we're alone."

"Should I be worried?"

Chris hesitated for a moment. "No, I don't think so. I just want to tell you and only you for now." 

"Oh. All right. I understand."

"I must say, though. This secret has been eating away at me all week. I'm glad I'll finally get to tell you."

"Now you've thoroughly piqued my interest."

She took one last look at the ring's shine and sparkle. Then her hand disappeared behind his neck and she pulled herself against him. He was firm, calming, warm, and never failed to stir when she left no room for air.

And they danced that way, yearning to be alone and closer still. . .

"Hmmm," Chris said, interrupting the serenity of the moment. "I'm starting to detect a pattern—stare, look away, stare, look away."

Cassie's head lifted. "Who? Where?"

"Bane and . . . Carina. He's got it bad and he won't even talk to her." 

Chris spun them to an angle where she could also see.

Carina was such an exquisite dancer and it came so naturally to her. Even while she was playing with her nephews, her arms, legs, wings, and dress moved with such rhythm and grace. And she seemed entirely unaware of her most attentive observer. Bane had perfected the art of deflecting his eyes whenever she was facing his direction.

"She doesn't harbor any resentment about the eye incident," Cassie informed him. "I know. She told me."

"Someone should tell him that. Because if he waits much longer. . ."

Just as the words came from Chris's mouth, they watched Mano tap Carina on the shoulder . . . and it wasn't the first time. Although Carina accepted his flirtation with attention and a grin, by no means did she look irreversibly enamored. Nonetheless, she agreed to dance with Mano. And Bane looked upon their interaction with so such mutiny in his eyes, it was just unhealthy.

Chris threw his head back and began his plea to the heavens. "Oh, for the love of all things holy!" He released Cassie's waist. "I'll be right back."

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bane made eye contact and smiled. Chris was apparently on a mission, trudging through the sand, swiftly closing the gap between them. Then, without any explanation, Chris lifted Bane to his feet by the collar.

"What are you doing?" Bane asked, forced to stumble along.

Chris was dragging him, and when that wasn't working out so well, he resorted to pushing him from behind. "Doing you a favor."

"Where are we . . . ?  What are we. . . ?" Bane figured out where they were going and began piling on the resistance. "Chris, I'm going to kick your. . ." He didn't get to finish his threat because he was suddenly standing next to Carina.

"Mano!" Chris tugged him away from his conquest by the bare shoulder. "Watch duty. Now." Chris bobbed his head toward the lookout point they had set up, high above the beach.

Mano's expression confirmed his disapproval, but his voice did not. He flew off to join the shift of other warriors on duty, as ordered, no argument. Besides Kale and Kimo, Chris was the only other one who could utter three words and get someone like Mano to do his bidding.      

"Carina, you know Bane . . . or should," Chris said cheerfully with his arm around Bane's shoulders. "He's been avoiding you for reasons that aren't very good. But he really wants to dance with you."

Bane had to catch his balance when Chris slapped him hard on the back. He forced a smile once Chris left him there to fend for himself. "Hi."

"Hello?" Carina replied, her confusion and discomfort hitting him like another stick to the eye. Honestly, he would have preferred the stick.

What was Chris thinking?

Bane looked desperately to him for support. But Chris didn't notice. His eyes were shut. He was in a slow, sweet sway with his wife once again.

"Nice day."

Bane placed his hands tentatively above Carina's hips and she rested her fingertips on his shoulders. She kept her palms slightly elevated as if grasping on would somehow be inappropriate. But they did begin something that resembled dancing. "Yes, it is."

"Are you having a good time?"

She nodded.

Bane couldn't think of anything else to say. And that wasn't like him. It was no wonder she had no interest. In her presence, he practically forgot who he was.

He gulped, tongue-tied. His mouth went dry. His palms got sweaty. He was panicking and experiencing hot flashes when Carina unexpectedly said, "I feel like I should apologize for the eye." She bit her lip remorsefully as she waited for him to respond. "Isn't it the reason you've been avoiding me? You're still angry. . . ."

"I'm not . . . I haven't been. . ." Bane prayed something witty would come to him. Then, something finally did. "It's no big deal. I only need one eye anyway."

At that, she gasped, missing the humor entirely. 

"I'm kidding! It's fine now. You kids from Pyxis don't joke much, do you?"

Her expression softened into a smile. "If you ever lived in Pyxis, you'd understand why."

Good answer. Maybe it wasn't that funny, but he was nervous and laughed anyway.

She blushed in response and lowered her gaze. At least she wouldn't see him staring. Her eyes were a shade of green unrepresented in the natural world and truly unique to her. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry too. . ." He waited for her to look up. "For what happened that day. It was uncalled for and won't happen again."

"Yes, I know," she said simply.

The music then stopped, catching him by surprise. The musicians were already packing up. The darkening sky and thinning crowd also suggested the wedding banquet was ending.

Carina removed her hands from Bane's shoulders and took a step back. She gave him a single wave. "Thanks for the dance."

"Sure. Anytime," he said without a shred of humor or sarcasm. In fact, his tone was so sincere, there was no chance for misinterpretation.

Bane watched as Carina met up with her family. Then he buzzed off to find Chris with speedy exuberance. Bane had to thank him, profusely. 

It was the best wedding ever.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thirty chapters down, one more to go (presented in three parts)!