Chapter 71
Norok along with Talia were the first to arrive with Genu’s riders. It was the largest army I’d ever seen in my life. They looked like a swarm of dragons, covering the surrounding fields of the Obsidian Castle, filling the inns and any taverns that had space.
The people were grateful for the trade and to meet their king’s extended family. Genu, however, didn’t seem at all pleased when Nicholas didn’t wish to punish Norok for harming his queen.
“He is still a king, cousin dearest, and a brother to Ornella. I would sooner hurt myself than hurt her again.”
Nicholas tapped his wedding band against the wood of his council table while I sat next to him, my fingers locked in his other hand. He’d barely left my side for three days straight, as things went rather rapidly getting my coronation date set. It was something that apparently couldn’t wait, along with relieving his soldiers from the borders.
As well as hold the trials for Dorian and Nora. Well, what was left of Dorian as he’d been plagued with nightmares. I was grateful when he’d lost his voice, so his screams no longer echoed in the halls. His mind was completely gone by this point. He would never hurt another young girl again. Nora was still in a sleep-like state, one of which April took great pleasure in inflicting.
“I am just thinking it would be foolish to not show your hand. He is at your mercy now, as are his people.”
“Those people are still my people,” I said loudly.
“Excuse me, highness, but where were they when you were captured? Tortured? Your guard here says the prince did what he had to for you to escape. But the way I see it and heard from many of his men, he stood there and allowed everything to happen.”
Genu crossed her arms as her eyebrows met together, that same cold stone look crossed her face that I’d seen Vanessa give many times before. I knew what she was talking about to be correct. Norok didn’t deserve any of my pity or my mercy, but he was still my brother and king of Crystal City—a title I did not wish to have for myself.
I was pleasantly happy as Nicholas’s wife and queen. This was where I truly belonged.
“When he and Ornella’s sister arrive, we will greet them as the royals they are. We will hear from the prince himself as to what and why everything happened. But for now, we will discuss the nature of punishment for my old captain of the guard, Lady Nora.”
April admitted a snarl from the end of the table, her eyes bloodshot and red from diving deep into the magic and mind of Nora. To hear her plots, her plans and why she killed their parents.
Nicholas had yet to discuss with me the full extent of what happened during my absence. I knew, eventually, he would. He would tell me everything and I would tell him everything, but for now, we would stay in this quiet peaceful bubble.
“I say we just hang her in the city square, so everyone can see the traitor she always was,” Vanessa voiced her opinion behind a growl as she flipped her dagger up and down in the air.
“Traitors don’t deserve a trial, it’s in our laws,” April said. “Nicholas, do not give her even an ounce of mercy. I have seen in her mind, and she enjoyed every second when she murdered our parents. She does not deserve any kindness or pity.”
Nicholas’s fingers tightened around mine at April”s words. Releasing my fingers as he realised what he was doing. He shook his head and sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration.
“April, organise it for three days’ time. I will watch from the tower. By all means, my three beautiful sisters, you may do what you wish with her until then.”
All three of them smiled in unison. The same dark, sinister smile I’d seen placed along Nicholas’s lips before. They were family in more ways than one. After joining their magics together, the three had yet to sever the bond, enjoying the magic abilities that came with it. I wondered how much magic could corrupt a person.
“That is all for today. Everyone is dismissed. Do not disturb my wife and I, as we have a lot more catching up to do.”
A blush played on my cheeks as he helped me from my seat, leading me out towards the courtyard, the gardens, and then finally the summerhouse. In the time everything had happened, many of the flowers of spring were starting to bloom one final time as summer flowers replaced their colourful beauty.
“You know, my father built this place for my mother to show his undying love for her. She’d hide out here a lot during my childhood, tending to the flowers, helping the staff, or just sitting here enjoying the tranquil sounds,” he told me as he gently guided me towards a set of stone stairs hidden behind a large tree of wisteria.
As he guided me up each step, I looked at him tenderly and lovingly. When we reached the very top, there seemed to be a small balcony that overlooked the hills.I could see in the distance you could make out the fate line of the sea as it met the horizon.
Stars glittered the sky as the sun returned to its slumber and the moon greeted us with her light.
“I used to look at this place with sadness, loss and heartbreak.”
Turning towards me, he took both my hands and pulled me to stand in the middle of the balcony, to join him. I stared around at the surrounding shades of purples. Lilacs, moon flowers, peonies and wisteria decorated every corner I looked in. They were the same lilacs and wisteria as my wedding flowers as well as the white and light yellow roses hidden amongst the purples. Each flower told a different story, held a different moment in time in this place.
“I cannot take back what I did on that bridge, but here, I commissioned this space for you. For us.”
Getting down on his knees, he continued to hold my hands tightly within his.
“I know you said a king does not beg, but I am no king without you. I am no one without you at my side. I wish I’d realised that sooner before the day I firmly pushed you away, when I should have fought in your corner,” he paused, looking at me as tears threatened my eyes, “I felt you die. That moment the water filled your lungs and it tried to take you from me. I felt all of your pain and suffering. The heartache I had caused you.”
As tears streamed down my face, destroying the perfect bit of make-up Isla managed to dot on my cheeks, I looked at him, at my stable boy who filled my heart with such glee.
“I came undone when I learnt you were taken from me. I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep, I could barely breathe. Then that moment our connection was severed, I thought you’d died all over again. I am grateful, more than you will ever know, that I can now be here, in front of you, loving you and wishing, hoping you will love me, too. Even through all my darkness and demons. I have loved you from that very moment in the forest. I have loved you since that day at the waterfall where I caught you reading. I have loved you since you would chase me through that field, or force ridiculous flower crowns on my head. I have loved only you, my Annwyl.”
I was lost for words. My heart thundered loudly in my chest as if it were ready to explode outwards. He’d taken my breath away, I’d expected us to have a moment here where he’d admitted he was stupid for pushing me away, we’d make up and go about our day. I didn’t expect proclamations of love. I didn’t expect him to create a space within his mother’s flower gardens just for us.
“I’d have loved you’d you even if you were still a simple stableboy who chased me through those fields.”
Without a single beat, I leaned down and kissed him softly on the lips. With his arm wrapped firmly around my waist, he stood, lifting me up off the ground and into his arms. Where I planned to stay for the rest of our lives, through darkness, shadows, demons and all.