Page 56 of I Am the Storm

He kisses me and smiles. "You're truly a remarkable woman, Eve. I didn't expect you in my life."

And then he leaves, and I realize he never did promise he'll stay. I can only hope my words take root within him. This family needs to heal. And none of them can do that if Cole leaves.

* * *

The next daythere is a flurry of activity as we all ready for the party. Elijah comes to my room with a long silver box. I open it and find a gorgeous red velvet dress perfectly sized for me. "Wow! Thank you."

"It compliments your complexion," he says, and then kisses my cheek and leaves quickly, as if slightly embarrassed.

Lily comes to my aid, helping me dress and style my hair. I study myself in the mirror and twirl around, smiling. It's a melancholic smile, with the looming threat of trial the next day, but I'm determined to enjoy the time we have tonight, with dear friends and family.

I wonder if Adam will show up again, or if I've seen my brother for the last time. I have no way of contacting him. No way of getting a message to him. No way of knowing if he's dead or alive. Can he even die? I have no way of knowing that, either.

Lily curls my hair and folds it into an updo, with soft ringlets let down around my face, and red holly tucked into the braid.

I stain my lips red and line my eyes with kohl, and then Lily and I walk down, arm and arm. She's dressed in green, and together we look quite festive.

I'm relieved to see Cole by the front door with his brothers as they greet guests.

Ifi and Elal arrive first, and the two Ifrits greet us quickly then make a beeline straight to the baby. Matilda hands her over and the two of them nearly set the house on fire with their excitement. I'm about to warn them to be careful with Alina, when she throws a fireball and one of them catches it and tosses it back to her.

Liam laughs and Matilda clucks her tongue. "We really need to come up with a spell to ward off fire damage, with all you fire elements running around." She looks meaningfully at Liam and me, and the Ifrits both raise their eyebrows. Ifi thrusts his hip out and shakes his finger at me. "Girl, you are holding out. You got fire power now?"

I laugh and hold up my palm, producing a single, perfect flame in it. Then I aim at the candles lining the mantle over the fireplace and light all five of them at once. Not a single one melts on contact.

Liam claps, a huge smile on his face. "You've been practicing."

I nod. "Yes."

A knock on the door draws everyone's attention and Kana the Kitsune enters in her beautiful woman form. Her long, glossy black hair flows unbridled down the back of her floor-length, silver evening gown. As soon as she sees me, she checks that I'm wearing the amulet she gave me, and nods when she sees the crystal pendant with the fox carved into its face hanging at my collarbone.

Elijah offers his elbow and escorts her into the ballroom where we've set up tables of food and drink. It turns out the ghosts of the castle included some musicians, so we enjoy a haunted concert, as a cello, piano, bass, viola, and violin all begin to play as if on their own.

Akuro and Okura arrive next with their bundle of joy, and the Ifrits squeal in delight at another baby. The two couples head into the ballroom with the babies to let them play together.

Lily hasn't joined in the festivities and I notice she keeps glancing at the door. I find out why a few minutes later when Kaya arrives, wearing a gold dress that compliments Lily’s. They both smile beatifically when they see each other, and they move into the corner to talk, holding hands the whole time.

I'm grinning from ear to ear like an idiot when Liam walks over to me and slips his arm around my waist. "You look happy, love," he says, kissing my cheek.

"I like seeing Lily happy," I say, nodding to her and Kaya.

Liam raises an eyebrow. "She does indeed look happy." He smiles. "Good for her."

He turns back to me, his face becoming more serious. "Can I talk to you? Alone?"

"Sure," I say, following him out of the ballroom and into the library. "What's up?"

He closes the door behind us and pulls out a parchment, handing it to me. "I want you to have this, in case…well, just in case."

My stomach drops as I realize what he's doing, and I squeeze the parchment in my fist, resisting the urge to give it back to him. Tears sting my eyes. "We are going to win. You're going to be fine."

"Maybe," he says. "But, maybe not. There's a strong chance I don't come out of this well. If that happens, I need to ask you the biggest favor I've ever asked anyone."

I try to swallow, but my mouth and throat have suddenly dried out. "What?"

"Take care of Alina. Adopt her. Be her mother. If I know she has you, I can face whatever is coming."

Now the tears flow, and I pull Liam into a hug, clinging to him as if the fierceness of my love is enough to save him. "You know I'll always take care of that little girl," I say. "Always."