Chapter 48 #2
She gingerly places it on her head, swaying a little as the magic connects with her, but a wondrous smile spreads across her face. “Yeah, I believe it did, but there’s only one way to find out. We have to go back to the throne room, but I think I have a way to test it.”
Nueena steps away from Tavien and grabs my hand, pulling me into the soft sunlight of the forest and to the ruins of my childhood home.
“Oh, Nueena,” I whisper.
Her eyes turn purple, that glow of power shining bright. She swirls her hand in the air and the burned bricks that built my home rise. Ash rises up, turning back into shards of wood that float together to make my door. The shattered glass of the window connects, sealing itself in.
Each piece of the cottage appears whole and new, her magic swirling around.
My heart locks in my chest, the air gone from my lungs.
Everything that had been lost has been restored. The little cottage my ancestor survived her banishment in stands as it always has.
Sturdy and small and safe.
My home.
I open the door, and it is exactly as I left it, the morning I took Leon to Ellova. From the art on the walls and the copper pans that hang in the kitchen. Down to the slip of paper I had sketched out for the necklace I wear now. My happiest memories come flooding back.
My mother telling me fae stories by the brick fire.
My father slowly dancing with my mother in a kitchen soaked in moonlight.
Waking up next to Leon for the first time, never having rested so peacefully. Even that night, my soul knew who he was to be.
All that I thought I had lost, that Grayden had taken from me.
Quiet heeled boots trail after me and I spin around, launching myself at Nueena.
Appreciation for her swells, bringing with it tears of gratitude. I have my home back, my Zemra, my closest friends. I sob into her shoulder.
“T-thank you!”
“Anything for you, my Della,” she whispers into my hair, making me cry harder.
We stay like that for a long moment before Tavien clears his throat.
“Ladies, I do not wish to ruin this moment, but we have a coronation to finish and a celebration to be had,” he says with a wide grin.
* * *
It’s late when we race towards the throne room.
The court Guardians and Nueena’s family are still there when we enter, a flurry of voices, both concerned and angry as Nueena quickly ascends the dais to her mother. “It’s all right. It’s all right. We can continue.”
I’ve never seen Nyvenah so vulnerable, her hand shaking as she pulls her daughter to her before Nueena addresses the crowd.
“Ellovians, I know tonight has been confusing. My magic combined with the throne’s magic was too much. A new crown has been forged and keyed to me that has the abilities to hold the Realm Keeper’s powers and my own.” She holds out her hand to her mother. “Let's try this again.”
A silent conversation passes between them, but Nueena gives a small nod to reassure her.
I silently pray to Ellova that the crown and throne will combine its magic, surrendering all power to Nueena.
Nyvenah holds Nueena’s hand up to the crowd once more. “I release my title to my daughter as a new royal leadership will shepherd you. She now takes my place as Realm Keeper.”
The room collectively holds their breath as Nueena sits down once again, magic swirling around her.
Her eyes glow that same fantastical purple, glowing brightly for a moment before fading back to her golden brown.
She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, and we can feel the escaped magic gliding towards her, under her control once again.
Cheers and praise fill the room and pour into the night. Leon picks me up, twirling me around, the two of us laughing together. My relief loosens the tightness in my body, sweeping away my fears for my closest friend.
“I present to you, your new Realm Keeper, Nueena Verrelia. Long may she reign!” her mother declares.
The party continues well into the night. Drinks overflow and an endless dinner has been prepared. The joyous music is a siren call to the dance floor.
I sway in Leon’s arms and my breath catches, overwhelmed to be here, celebrating my closest friend. A night we have dreamed about for so long.
To be here with Leon, my Zemra.
A gift from fate I never believed I would have. I was content with my life here before him, with my friends and family, but he has brought so much light and love into my world.
I was so close to losing all of this. Losing my life, losing Leon, losing my beautiful existence here.
I cling to him a little tighter, knowing if a few things had been different, I would still be trapped in Adreania, Grayden as my husband, even if I wouldn’t have survived long as his wife.
Unknown tortures awaiting me. In that watery prison, desperate to escape, I thought the beautiful life I had here was truly taken from me.
I am safe. Cyanna is safe. A whole future awaits Leon and me. I may not know what it holds but I do know so much joy is ahead.
We can travel all over Ellova or spend time with his family, supporting Nueena however I can.
My jewelsmith magic swirls in my blood, ready and eager to create and mold. It has me wishing to make a sword or a necklace right here on the dance floor.
The bond is bright with his own gratefulness that I am here in his arms.
Wanting to show him my own appreciation for the life we will create together. A life of adventure and romance, friendship and hope, his hands slowly reaching further and further down my waist towards my backside, a tendril of lust turning into a burning need for me, for my body.
“Leon,” I moan into his lips.
My heart pounds as his mouth leaves mine to trail down, whispering into my neck, “My Zemra, my love. Shall we find a dark corner so I can do unspeakable things to you?” His salacious words are soft as silk against my skin.
“I know the place for you to ruin me.”