Chapter 78
Chapter
Seventy-Eight
EVIE
G etting a divorce and married again within only a couple of weeks was remarkably easy when you were king.
“And now,” the priest intoned as Zandyr and I stood in front of him, face to face and smiling. “The couple will join hands and we will use the ceremonial cloth, in the curious custom of the bride’s Clan.”
“Hear that? Curious custom.” I licked my lips, still tasting Zandyr’s blood from the chalice we’d just shared. The Blood Brotherhood had a long way to go when it came to accepting other Clans’ traditions as readily as they expected others to follow theirs. But this was a start.
“I bet we will be seeing a lot of Capital weddings following this tradition soon, he said as we raised our hands. He grabbed onto my wrist and I his, as the priest draped a purple cloth over us. Red and blue mixed together, forever.
“By the grace of the gods, we have been blessed with powerful leaders once more.” The priest held his hands up to the sky. “They have tasted each other’s blood once more, uniting their fates for the entire Clan to see.”
Literally the entire Clan.
In comparison to our first wedding, we decided to hold this ceremony in the small temple I’d destroyed all those months ago, now rebuilt and shining golden. The bell hanging above us had been cast in silver, with blue jewels embedded into its rim, an offering for the Blue Queen who had risked her life to protect the Blood Brotherhood civilians.
I appreciated the gesture–and all the civilians coming to see my second wedding.
My “death” and the blue shield against the advisors’ fire had changed the tides of my reputation once and for all. Isalyth printed long odes to my beauty and Valesya told anyone who would listen how she’d seen my true heart in my beauty and grace.
They had been some of the very few spared by Zandyr’s wrath at the Senate of Sages. Sadly, as we were gathering the dead in Phoenix Peak, the Port Master and Petrylla had escaped. One of the Clan’s best ships was now long gone and Loryn’s vault lay empty. There had been sightings of it near the Fair Isles, from a very good–if still unsettling–source, and a bounty had been placed on the former Port Master’s head.
The coward was the least of my worries.
We still had so many problems to fix and dangers to face.
The symbols Goose and Leesa had painted on the houses had been scrubbed clean, easing the civilians’ worries, but the bridge was still being rebuilt, not even halfway done. The guards who’d survived the clash with Zandyr’s fierce warriors were still being questioned. From a village near Frostfall Reach, Owyn was helping us determine who among them had a glacier’s chance in a dragon’s pit to be rehabilitated.
Even the army wasn’t immune to the scrutiny. If one of the warriors could betray The Dragon, the rot needed to be carved out swiftly. We hadn’t found anything–yet.
But we would face all those obstacles together.
“Our new king and queen shall guide us through the darkness, as they have so far,” the priest chanted. “And protect all those who have sworn loyalty to the Blood Brotherhood.”
Zandyr’s hold on my wrist tightened. “I will protect you until the end of my days. You are my all. I promise myself to you and no other, until my dying breath.”
“Until my dying breath, you are the only one for me,” I said, the words tugging on that pocket of power inside of me. “My life is yours and yours is mine.”
“We rise and fall together,” he said, as our blood blazed with the power of our words. “When one soars, the other flies alongside. When one falls, the other follows. From now until eternity.”
“From now until eternity,” I echoed, my thoughts melding with his once more.
In the past nights spent in whispers and promises, Zandyr had called our bond a never-ending river that flowed between us. Its waters were as tranquil as could be right now.
No hesitation.
No doubts.
No suffering.
Only calm, fulfillment, happiness.
Everything I wanted to feel on my wedding day.
The painful memories from the last ceremony tried to nip at our minds. Their pull was strong, but we were stronger.
Forgiveness was a curious thing, I’d come to realize. It wasn’t the release I’d pictured it to be, one huge decision that shattered all the mistrust in one go. It was a mesh of big declarations and bigger actions–if Zandyr ever took another arrow for me, we would have some serious issues–and a collection of small, everyday choices.
When Zandyr rushed back home to share a meal with me, refusing to eat until I wandered out of the library I’d been spending too much time in lately, caught between schemes with my cousins and trying to find clues.
When he thought I was already asleep and pulled the covers up to my chin to make sure I was warm and comfy–I didn’t tell him his body heat was enough to keep me toasty even on the coldest nights in Phoenix Peak.
How he smiled whenever he saw me, as if he couldn’t quite help himself.
The soul needed to heal as much as the body, if not more.
In the thoughts and depth of his feelings laid bare before me, I found the comfort I’d been seeking all my life.
With his Blood Brotherhood powers, Zandyr had finally erased the numbness in my toes, and my appetite had returned with such a strong vengeance in the past week, my ribs strained against the threads of my dress each time I inhaled too deeply.
My beautiful silver dress, with a bloody red train. Adara said I looked like I’d been reborn from the blood of my enemies, which was high praise from the former general.
Zandyr had dressed in his blood-red ceremonial robes, with a silver thread sewn into the cuffs of his sleeves. He wore Eldryan’s crown with pride–better than his father ever had.
As soon as Eldryan had been well enough to walk again, Zandyr had formally asked for the throne, and his father had eagerly accepted.
The two of them and Zavoya had spent many days and nights talking about things that filled The Dragon with sorrow and disappointment. I numbed my side of the bond whenever that happened, to give them the privacy they hadn’t had all these years, with Banu and Valuta messing with their minds. Sadly, the former king and queen didn’t remember much from the decades they spent with the advisors’ claws embedded in their minds.
Zandyr always came back exhausted from these talks and collapsed into our bed; one time, his eyes had been red and he’d just held me all night, not saying a word. Between our fatigue and ridding the Capital of the advisors’ dregs, we hadn’t been able to share more than kisses and whispers.
Slowly, Zandyr would return from these family discussions feeling more peaceful. Accepting a past and a reality he could not change. He was healing, too, though I knew he’d always carry that scar within him, as he did the one above his heart.
Zavoya had enthusiastically offered me her gorgeous crown, but I declined. Kaya had also given me the pearl one, which sat somewhere in my closet.
Instead, I’d decided to wear the coppery crown that had protected me. I’d never find a more stubborn headpiece in my life. The thing could not be destroyed–but it could be altered. We’d reshaped my melted switchblade into a lone spike in the middle of the crown, with a blue jewel on top. An ode to my Protectorate Clan, Grandpa Constantine–who’d had his own crown cast from a piece of the cannon of his fiercest battle–and my parents, who’d forced me to learn how to survive.
Valuta’s final testimony had done its job.
It had given me an answer I’d craved my entire life–why my parents had truly run away with me and changed the course of my existence.
My parents, may the gods grant them mercy, had tried to protect me. That didn’t justify how they’d raised me and all their lies, but at least now I had more grace when I thought about them and how the advisors’ had tricked them, too.
Banu and Valuta, the root of all these evils, were gone, rotting at the bottom of the ocean, and I was free.
We still hadn’t discovered who they were working with or for. Who’d sent the assassins, who’d helped the Serpents in the war, or who’d been in my parents’ library all those years.
My cousins were still scattered all over Malhaven, trying to find answers. It was still too dangerous for them to travel to the Capital, but I’d promised all of them I’d hold another ceremony once we were all safe and Allie was on the Protectorate throne, as she deserved.
For now, I would enjoy this day. A tentative step toward peace between our Clans–and my happiness.
A new marriage.
A new start.
A new title.
Queen.
My new status didn’t scare me anymore–especially not when I looked into Zandyr’s eyes and felt his heart galloping, like it did every time we crossed gazes.
“The Rohen Dynasty will live on with our new king and queen!” The priest removed the cloth. “As was foretold and written in blood all those moons ago.”
Zandyr took my other hand in his and placed both of my palms on his chest. Even though we were surrounded by hundreds of souls, the connection cocooned us in our own little world, where only he and I mattered.
In a few short seconds, we’d be declared husband and wife once more.
“Menace?” Zandyr asked with a hint of trepidation as the priest chanted our final blessings.
“Yes, Zandyr?”
“I love you.” Even in his thoughts, he sounded rushed, as if the admission had been bubbling inside him for eons. “I wanted to wait until we were alone. I had a whole scene planned and too many candles to count, but we can’t get married again, officially this time, without telling you that I am hopelessly, irrevocably, blissfully in love with you. The gods have truly blessed me when we met and I pray they bless us with many, many years in which I can prove how much I love you.”
I stared at him. Then stared some more, completely caught off guard.
The priest cleared his throat–he must have finished the ceremony and was waiting for us to complete the final act.
“I love you, too,” I said. “Not because we’re true mates. Not because we’re married. And gods know not because you’re the prince. I love you for you, Zandyr Rohenstorm.”
The smile that bloomed on his face should have been illegal–I was queen now, I could actually do that if I truly wanted it.
His happiness radiated off him so strongly, I was sure everyone around us could feel it.
He picked me up in his powerful arms and twirled me around, right there in front of the altar and all of the city.
The first time we met, he’d done the same, but to save me. Now he did it for the bright future that waited for us.
Our ecstatic laughter echoed around us. Just when I thought he was going to put me down, Zandyr surprised me again, this time with a kiss. A very heated, very not-crowd-friendly kiss that definitely broke decorum and too many rules to count.
But we didn’t care. This moment was for us.
“The king and queen have sealed their vows,” the priest said, sounding a bit taken aback himself. “May our future be as blessed as theirs. For the good of the Blood Brotherhood!”
“For the good of the Blood Brotherhood!” a cheerful chorus rose around us.
We only broke the kiss to lean our foreheads together. Skin to skin. Just the two of us.
“Forever,” he whispered against my lips.
“And, gods willing, beyond,” I said, feeling like my heart was about to burst. No human body could withstand this much happiness in one go. “Now we get to the good part.”
Instantly, a jolt of desire sprung inside of him. He snuffed it out a second later, but I felt it, deep within my chest and right between my legs.
“Aside from that,” I whispered even inside my mind. “I finally get to steal all your silver, like I threatened to at the start.”
As the memory seeped itself into his consciousness, Zandyr threw his head back with a bark of laughter. It still amazed me every time I heard it, how this man, who was renowned for his control and fierceness, could be so unrestrained in his joy around me.
“Mates,” someone muttered from the crowd. It sounded suspiciously like Adara.
“Gods, I’m going to love being married to you,” Zandyr said when he finally quieted down. “Don’t worry, menace. I’ve already hidden the good silver.”
“Damn it,” I said, playing along. “You’re ruining my greedy dreams.”
“To be fair, you are now entitled to half of a very rich Clan–plus all of me.”
“And you get all of me.”
“Trust me, menace…” He sent me a scorching look. “I can’t wait.”
I gulped, that familiar craving coursing through my veins. “You’re making me blush in front of all these people.”
“You’re right, that is a problem. They don’t have the right to see that gorgeous shade on your cheeks.”
He grinned, not the least bit sorry for making me heat up.
“We want to invite everyone to revel in our new union,” Zandyr declared, pointing to the endless rows of tables lined up on the main street. On the edges, the first meats hit the grills and began to sizzle, a fragrant smoke wafting through the air. “Come join us and feast until the morning.”
The crowd cheered, throwing flowers in the air and reciting prayers and good wishes. Slowly, the civilians began to head to the tables, in tune with the drums which would play through the night.
Zandyr and I descended the temple steps hand in hand. Goose and Leesa both wiped tears of joy from their eyes, holding hands. I’d heard them whispering about asking me if they could move into the same room together and wondering what was the best way to tell me.
To be perfectly honest, I was more restless than the two of them for their relationship to become official. Trying to pretend I didn’t see the looks they were giving each other behind my back was getting harder. I just wanted to congratulate and hug them both.
Speaking of hidden relationships, Kaya and Vexa stood in the front lines of the crowd, one smiling brighter than ever, the other glowering a bit less than usual.
With one last look and a mental farewell, Zandyr and I parted to make the rounds. He made his way to Zavoya and Eldryan, who still had half his torso and face bandaged. But not even the gauze could hide the open smile on his face as he patted his son on the back and congratulated him. Zandyr must have been in good spirits, because he accepted his mother’s embrace without a frown and even hugged her back.
“Congratulations, Evie.” Kaya gave me my own jasmine-scented embrace. From the way everyone was watching us, they probably wondered if the former favorite was accepting her fate with grace or if she was putting on a show after her divorce from Zandyr.
If only they knew how happy Kaya truly was.
She was finally free.
From the marriage, from the crushing expectations and, most of all, from her parents. She was still in mourning and Leesa had told me she’d caught her crying more than once when I sent her over with cakes, but Kaya’s pallor had receded and she was starting to put some meat on her bones.
“Thank you for everything, Kaya,” I said. “We couldn’t have triumphed without you.”
Her smile wavered, but it didn’t fall. She gulped and nodded, Vexa putting a hand on her shoulder.
Vexa and I shared a quick nod of understanding. She would guard Kaya with her life. Love did weird, crazy things to you. I didn’t know if they were true fated mates, but if not, they were very close to it.
“You look really beautiful, Evie,” Kaya said and sounded like she meant it, even if she looked like a goddess. “I’m glad we saw your wedding. Vexa and I are planning a little trip. There’s so much outside the Capital I haven’t seen.”
“I hope you see it all. After we’re all safe.” Without knowing who wanted us dead, after Kaya’s very public statement against her parents, she was at risk, too.
“Yes, after. More time for planning.” She leaned in. “I heard there’s an island where nymphs sing under the stars until the sunrise every night.”
“That sounds–” Noisy. But to each their own. Kaya deserved to finally live her life how she wanted to. “Like an exciting adventure. I’m happy for you.”
The two of them shared a small smile, linking their hands together, just like Goose and Leesa.
As Kaya and Vexa retreated for the feast, I set my gaze toward the lone willow the hungry crowd ignored. Adara waited underneath it, leaning against the ancient tree. As I approached, my smile faltered when I noticed the leather bag at her feet.
“You’re leaving?” I asked, disbelieving.
Adara nodded. “Not without a goodbye. Leesa tells me that’s growth.”
“But–” I gulped through my surprise. “We need you.”
I need you.
For better or worse, Adara had been by my side through so much, it was impossible to see myself in the Capital without her.
“I taught you how to fight. I protected you. Now you’re queen,” she said. “My job here is done.”
“People still want to kill me.”
“Then you kill them first.” Adara picked up her bag, throwing it over her shoulder, and sighed. “I can’t do this.”
“Yes, travel is awful. So you’re staying.”
Adara huffed a laugh. “No. I can’t do my duty here.”
“Adara, you’ve done a great job.”
“Thanks. You’re lying, but thanks.” She licked her teeth. “Want to know why I became a mercenary?”
“Because you’re really good with a dagger?”
“Yes, I am. But the main reason was because I wanted to do something I’m good at without the risk of getting attached.”
“Caring for people is not such a bad thing, Adara.”
“So people keep saying.” She shrugged. “The truth is, feelings cage me. They make me act in a way I don’t like. I ran to save Anya, leaving you unprotected.”
“I am okay with you liking a child more than me, Adara.”
“You would. But I’m not talking about that. For most of my life, I had to protect something or someone. My mother, then the Clan, then my mercenary group, then you and all your friends–”
“ Our friends,” I said gently.
“Yes. Our friends.” She sighed and a hint of a smile bloomed from it. “I’ve realized I need to spend some time just protecting myself. Go out and do whatever I want without worrying about anyone else but my own hide. I’ve earned it.”
I couldn’t argue with that. “Is that what you truly want?”
“It’s what I need. I told you to clean your ears better.”
I laughed despite the sudden feeling of loss.
“Then–” I took a great big gulp of air. “I wish you the best of luck. And promise me you’ll visit.”
“First I promised to visit Anya. That little sprite can’t take no for an answer,” she said, smile growing. “You two and that husband of yours will truly be the death of me.”
“Let’s not make it literal.”
“Now that I can promise. I plan on living a long life, too. My life.” She took a deep inhale. “Don’t die while I’m gone.”
“I’m going to miss you,” I said, painfully aware of the lump in my throat. Friendship was both easier and harder than I’d imagined in my childhood. Adara and I had patched up whatever had been torn between us, and I wanted the best for her–if that meant she had to be far away from us to find it, so be it.
If my parents–may their souls watch down kindly upon me as I enacted my vengeance–had taught me anything, it was not to care for someone to the point of suffocating them.
“I’m–” Adara gulped as well. “I’m not going to say it back, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t true.”
We shared a solemn nod, even as my eyes began to sting.
“You should do goodbyes more often,” I said. “You’re good at them.”
“I do plan on coming back. Eventually.” She began to walk away, daggers glinting. Then she turned, giving me a wicked grin. “After all, the bounty for the Port Master’s head isn’t going to claim itself.”