Chapter 44 #2
“Now, I can’t promise that things are going to stay the same.
As you can see, the stars decided to send me a human as my mate.
” He smirks. “But that’s a conversation for the future.
For now, I’ll say this: we’ve been through hell these past few weeks.
And not all of us survived it.” His voice dips, weight pressing into each word.
“The rebels will answer for their crimes. Rest assured that the families of those who lost their lives saving us will be well cared for. And today, we begin a new chapter.”
The crowd nods in agreement.
“First, let’s reward those who deserve to be rewarded,” Kieran tilts his head to his Council. Beside them stands Lucas and Jordan. “Gideon—I appoint you as our new acting High Lord.”
Gideon blinks, like he’s been struck by lightning. “Me?”
“Yes, you,” Kieran says, exhaling, the faintest smile tugging his mouth. “I was wrong to pick Atticus over you. And right now, there’s no one else I trust with it.”
A king who admits fault in front of his entire Court.
My Gods.
Gideon doesn’t say anything for a beat, like he’s still trying to process it. Then his lips twitch into a smirk. “Does that come with a pay rise?”
Laughter ripples through the crowd.
Oh, Gideon.
“What?” He laughs. “It’s a fair question.”
Kieran’s face is bored, but his smile deepens. “Yes, you idiot, it comes with a pay rise.”
“Fine, I’ll do it.” Gideon grins. “For the record, I was going to say yes anyway.”
“Next,” Kieran breathes, shaking his head at his best friend. “Aurora—it’s safe to say we might all be dead if it weren’t for you. For your devotion to the Court, I appoint you third in command.”
Aurora’s green eyes fly wide, shock breaking through her pretty face.
“Thank you for everything you did for us,” he adds. “And yes, it also comes with a pay rise, and as many glamorous dresses as you like.”
She flutters her eyelashes at him, her perfect lips curving into a smile. “Oh, I’m probably going to need a new house just to fit all those dresses, too.”
“Mother of the stars, you lot are …” Another sigh tears out of Kieran. He drags a hand down his face. “Fine, you can have a mansion.”
“Thank you, my King.” She dips low in a perfect curtsy.
Even I let out a laugh.
Such a beautiful day.
Everything feels like it’s heading into the right direction.
Kieran announces more rewards to his people and doesn’t forget to thank them for their loyalty.
Then he turns to Lucas and Jordan.
“Last but not least—our final trial was different from the usual ones we’ve had, but I can say that considering the circumstances, we’d all agree that both Lucas and Jordan have served us well. And for that—I would like to offer you each two options: a wish—or become Fae and live amongst us.”
I swallow hard. I knew this was coming, but being Kieran’s mate means I had to keep this a secret.
I can see the shock on Lucas’s face.
“And my eye?” Jordan reminds Kieran.
“Of course, since you saved my life,” Kieran says, lifting his hand—then with a flick of his fingers, Jordan’s eye patch disappears, leaving only his new eye beneath it.
He blinks fast, joy blooming across his face, and he smiles—a big, bright smile with gratitude that I have never seen from him before.
“And you get a wish—just as long as you don’t do anything stupid again. ”
Jordan lets out a sigh. “Here I thought I’d gained enough of your trust by now.” He clicks his tongue. “I don’t care about the wish. Can I please become Fae and work at the Court?”
And it goes exactly how Kieran said it would—almost everyone picks becoming Fae.
“You’ll be provided with a house, and you can work here.” Kieran nods. “We’ll do the ceremony on the full moon, but I do have to warn you—it won’t be pleasant.”
“It’s just a night, and I get eternity.” He shrugs.
Kieran turns to Lucas. “And you?”
My heat is pounding in my chest. Images of everything we have been through over the past months slam into me all at once. Becoming friends with him. Losing Tessa. The fights we had. The laughter. The drinks we shared.
Going through the mirrored maze with him.
I have cried. Laughed. And cried. And laughed again.
He’s the only person who ever really understood me.
And now—at last—we’re getting Declan back.
I had a talk with Kieran this morning, assuring him he needn’t worry about Declan.
Once Lucas wishes for him back, Kieran will erase Declan’s memories of me, and he will live as if I never existed in his life.
We figured it’s kinder than bringing him back just to tell him I entered a competition to save him, but I’m about to marry a Fae King.
Lucas looks at me with the usual warmth in his eyes—but today, there’s sadness in them, too. My heart aches at the thought of him leaving.
He shakes his head slowly, his voice cracking as he says, “I’m sorry, Cass. I know what we came here for. But … I can’t go back to my old life. I don’t even know what it was anymore.”
The world stops. My breath catches.
No.
What is he—
“Lucas,” I breathe, my hands trembling. “What are you saying?”
He doesn’t look at me. He turns to Kieran. “I would like to become Fae.”