Book Two: KOTLC One-shots and More

Winnowing Gala: part 1 (Keefe POV)

The day of Keefe's Winnowing Gala had arrived. He and Fitz were at Everglen, watching as Della directed the gnomes on where to put up the decorations around the Reception Hall. Mostly Fitz was hoping to sneak some desserts off the tables, until Della told him the desserts wouldn't be coming out until closer to time.

"And by then," she said sternly," you'll be long gone. Tonight isn't about you."

"Don't worry, Fitzy," Keefe assured him as Della ushered them back outside. "I'll hold back some cake for you."

Fitz grinned. "You'd better. You can bring it to me in the morning and tell me all about your Gala."

"I can do that," Keefe agreed.

"And don't let all your crazy fangirls drive Sophie crazy tonight," he added. "She'll be the prettiest one there, they're bound to be jealous."

Keefe completely agreed—not that he could say as much.

"She'll be fine," he answered instead. "I think Marella is coming, so having an Inflictor and a Pyrokinetic hanging out together should be enough to keep the crazy girls at a safe distance."

Fitz snorted. "True. They can both be pretty scary if they want to be."

Eventually, Fitz leapt back to Foxfire to spend the afternoon with Sophie, and Keefe wandered the Everglen grounds alone for a while, deep in thought, before heading inside to get ready.

Della had gone shopping immediately after Keefe accepted their offer to host his Gala. The next time he'd seen her, she had presented him with about a dozen different wardrobe options for him to choose from.

He didn't complain. He loved knowing how much thought she was putting into this.

Besides. If he'd been a girl, he'd probably have had to try on way more clothes.

His carefully tailored pants, elaborately embroidered tunic and jerkin went nicely with the ice blue cape she'd had dyed specifically to match his eyes. And tonight, he was being even more meticulous than normal with his hair routine.

He knew he should be eager to impress people tonight. Knew he should be excited at the prospect of dozens of girls, all there to essentially vie for his attention. But if he were being honest with himself, he knew that mostly he was just excited to see Sophie.

It wasn't like he didn't see her all the time. Their friendship was as strong as ever and they spent a lot of time together, but never in this setting.

He wondered if she'd wear red.

He wondered if she'd dance with him.

He also wondered if she'd be wishing she were dancing with Fitz instead.

When it was almost time to begin, he made his way to the Reception Hall where Alden and Della were waiting.

Della actually teared up as he approached them. "Look at you!" She exclaimed. "Our favorite little troublemaker, and here you are all grown up and about to have your Winnowing Gala."

Keefe, who rarely hugged anyone other than Foster, smiled and wrapped his arms around Della. "Thank you," he whispered. "For everything."

It felt like a poor repayment for all they'd done for him through the years, but she seemed pleased all the same.

The first of the girls began to arrive—girls he recognized from Foxfire but didn't really know—so he pulled away from Della and greeted them with a quick hello as Alden and Della formally welcomed them to Keefe's Gala.

"Oh, Keefe," Della said when she turned to look at him again. "I think your cape looks a little crooked after I hugged you so tightly."

"That's okay, my cape can match my smile," Keefe told her with a smirk. But she reached out and adjusted his cape anyway, straightening it.