Exton

Later the next evening, many souls had gathered in the clearing for Grace's funeral service. Everyone from the tavern was there as well as many shifters and people from Exton. Rowan had given a moving service with Treagers and Silks assistance. When Rowan was finished she asked that anyone who wished to speak about Grace or wanted to share a memory with the group to please do so. There were many stories and tears shed, but just as many smiles and laughs. Grace had touched many lives and those that knew her loved her well.

Everyone had been asked to bring a flower of any kind to the service. These had been gathered into a basket as guests entered the clearing. While Rowan and the others had been speaking Star, with the help of Mya and Rachel, had been taking the pedals off and placing them into another basket to be scattered with Graces ashes. The stems and leaves had been carefully placed to one side and the demifae would make sure these were taken into the woods so the birds and small creatures could use them for nesting.

After everyone was finished sharing their memories Star stepped towards a large vase of roses on the altar. She carefully removed two large white blooms tied with pink ribbons and gave one to Tori and one to Torrent. The smaller pink roses were for the children, Chloe, Tara, Tomas, Gracie, Mera and Stars unborn child.

As Tori and Torrent came forward to take the urn and the basket of petals Rowan gives a final blessing and invites everyone to the tavern for Graces wake. “In her own words she asked that we leave our tears here and go have one hell of a party....” and Rowan smiles, remembering the conversation. What she didnt add here was that it was all paid for. The food, drink and music, all of it. Grace had left a certain amount with Ob and Pandora for it and Mortuis had told Ob to let him know of any lack in funding at the end of the night, it would be taken care of. Everyone was making sure that Graces last wishes would be followed exactly as she wanted.

Rowan helps Star put things away. Traeger leans close at one point and asks, “You are going to the Tavern arent you?”

Rowan smiles, “Oh yes. Monty tells me he has a fine bottle of Old Irish whiskey with my name on it for the occasion.”

Then she turns and moves into the crowd offering a hug here, a word of comfort there. A few of the shifter girls are still crying but smile through their tears as Rowan speaks with them.

Raina approaches the table and gives Stars hair a tug. “Hey! Hows my nephew doing today? And my favorite sister in law...”

Star laughs and swats at Raina, “We are fine... stop teasing...”

As Star looks up she sees the girl from the tavern, the one with a cloak. She is speaking with a shifter girl and as her eyes meet Stars she smiles softly. Star returns the smile as she wonders what the girls name is. The girl turns to leave and as she does the wind catches the hood of her cloak, pushing it back off her head. When she reaches up to pull it back Raina notices the small hands, chapped and red. What the hell does he make her do?

Dmitri has also noticed the hands. And the mass of light brown curls framing an intelligent beautiful face and hazel-gold eyes....