Hello all,

These are the last chapters of this story. I have plans to begin writing a TOG and ACOTAR cross over, set with the next generation of our favorites (and of course lots of our favs). I would love to hear your thoughts on this story and on requests for the next ventures. I'm looking for a beta-reader or maybe more of a partner for this coming story, because I think it'll be long and intense, too much for me to do alone, while taking so many credits.

Thank you so much for all of your support and love. I truly want to thank you all, especially those who have commented and reviewed often. This story bugged and bugged me until I wrote it all out. I'm glad that so many have enjoyed it.

As always,

Happy reading, Court

Chapter 38: Summer Vibes

Feyre:

There was a massive engagement party for Karlene and Tarquin. For our wedding Rhys and I had invited most of the High Lords, and all of Velaris. Summer was more neutral than Night Court. That was clear since Karly and Tarquin seemed to have invited the whole of Pythian. As if they needed to share their love and happiness with everyone, as Rhysand and I had needed to the year after the war.

The party was on the beach. It stretched down further than I could see. Tables laden with food dotted down the beach, and people from all over milling about. I wondered if the party stretched the whole border of Summer.

Karlene had dressed herself in a gorgeous dress. The pale blue swaths of gossamer were embroidered with flowers real and beaded. The layers were flowy and light, perfect for summer heat. The sleeves and waist were tied with a gorgeous pink satin ribbon. Her hair was let down loose, something she had only done after moving to Summer Court. She looked as elegant as the waters, as flowing as the waves. Tarquin was a fan of symbolism.

We all wore intensely festive things. Apparently Karlene had a large wardrobe because she lent me a dress with a light flowy black bottom, but a full, riotous garden seemed to be sewn into the top of the dress. Bright colors were not something I wore often, it seemed almost wrong for the High Lady of Night. It was a gorgeous dress and I was in Summer, plus Karlene pulled dresses out for each of us, giving us all Summer Court clothes that fit her floral theme.

Elain's dress was a layered silk of every shade of pink and peach. Ruffled layers fell and stacked in tiers until she looked like a princess in a story. Azriel kept watching her, as he had with Mor when I first met him. Nesta wore one of Karlene's dresses that seemed more laid back. Full white flowers were sewn all over the light-colored gossamer and lace, almost a wedding dress.

Mor chose the only red dress, it was very short compared to the rest, with a large red bow and sheer top. Red and sexy, as Mor always dressed. Cressida wore a bright dress that matched Mor's for vibrancy. Cressida's dress had flowers in bright greens, reds, pinks, and oranges that looked like they were growing up from the top of the dress, the bottom was the brightest orange silk.

Karlene's clothes were art, not just fashion or a way to stay cool, or even a way to highlight her body. Fashion as an art form, all of them looked so gorgeous in the atmosphere of Summer.

Food was piled everywhere. Flowers arranged at the ends of the tables. Everything was in peak bloom and lightness. The abundance of Summer was never more clear. The unofficial host of the party, Helion, announced it was time for Karlene and Tarquin to dance together. The crowds from down the beach shoved in to get better views.

The tune started, a quick melody filled with different twisting and twining pieces that brought out the love and happiness that made me tear up just a bit.

It was perfect for them. They danced and twirled, normally they laughed their way through the dance floor, content to make jokes all night and dance freely, tonight they had eyes only for each other. As if they could see the whole world in only the eyes of the other. They stayed in normal formation, holding each other close.

Towards the end, Tarquin dipped Karlene slowly. Karly arched backward, her hair touching the sand. Tarquin kissed up her throat until she let out a giggle that bubbled over the sound of the music. The magic of two people so giddily in love was more powerful healing than whatever magic the Cauldron had given Karlene.

They finished their dance to riotous applause and set off to dance with everyone possible. The volume of the music grew as more and more people found partners to twirl and spin, sharing the love and light that Karly and Tarquin emanated before us all.

As the night progressed, it was apparent that Tamlin had come to the party as well. He approached only once, kept to other side of the party until he made his way to me. After a short conversation with me, he left all together. He came and congratulated me on my happiness, on my child. He pushed his way to Tarquin, whom he congratulated, then winnowed away. Further down the beach, or back to Spring most likely.

Rhysand was helping our son totter around the beach. Tamlin was kind to make a point of not being aggressive, but there was still discomfort there. I didn't need anything he could give me, not even his forgiveness, not when there was so much happiness right here. With my mate, my son, and my family.

The whole night, there was only love. As the night went on, Karlene laughed and giggled her way through the well-wishers, never letting go of Tarquin's hand. I wished every night could be as exciting and happy.

Likely we would be visiting them as often as they did us. Tarquin was a phenomenal party thrower.

At the end of the night, a fireworks show decorated the sky for an hour. Colors and shapes brought into the sky in giant bursts of colored fire. People gazed up at the sky, holding their loved ones close. Rhysand had our son sleeping over one of his shoulders, as we watched the sparkling of the sky, a different beauty of the night.