Chapter 50
IZADELLA
After a three-day celebration, it is time to return to Adreania to visit with Queen Lyrora and discuss the union between our realms.
Early-morning sunbeams streak through the Merawood Forest. The flowers that pepper the lush ground bloom brightly in Nueena’s presence and sweeten the air. Farren chases the rising and falling flora, hopping around us. Lula flies above us.
Nueena, Tavien, and Cyanna ride in front of us to Adreania.
Leon holds Onyx’s reins; his arms wrapped around me.
Even with my family here and the honeyguards surrounding us, there is a pit at the bottom of my stomach at the thought of stepping foot there again.
Despite Grayden’s and Everett’s deaths, my short time in that kingdom left wounds on my soul.
Leon sends a wave of loving concern down our bond, and he protectively pulls me a little closer. “We can turn around if you are not ready to return,” he whispers in my ear, his lips so close I shiver and wish we were alone.
I shake my head. No, I will not allow myself to live in fear of a place that only holds the dark memories when new ones will be made, and ancient wrongs will be righted.
“I’ll be all right.” The sweet birdsong around us and Onyx’s soft movements lure me to close my eyes, resting my head against Leon’s shoulder as we make our journey. “So many nights I rode this path thinking of you, and here we are, Zemras.”
“Hmmm,” He kisses the top of my head. “My favorite word. Rest, my love.”
“I wouldn’t be so tired if someone had kept their hands to themselves last night,” I tease him.
“Yes, you really should have. A fae needs his beauty rest.”
I laugh, knowing we are each at fault. Neither of us could stop even if we wanted to; the need for new Zemras is too great. It’s tempting, even now, to race to the cottage for a moment to fall apart with each other, but we have much to do in Adreania.
After a while the horses slow and Nueena gracefully descends off her horse.
We have reached the Divide.
The previously invisible line between Ellova and Adreania becomes visible in a swirl of her magic.
With a wave of Nueena’s hand and the swell of her power, the decaying Adreanian forest blooms to life.
The darkness that had spread disappears with every step she takes, new flowers blossoming at her feet in greeting.
The sea of barren trees grows new leaves as life bursts around us.
She pushes back the darkness that creeps over the Divide, its wretched grasp on this place for so long. Bright clovers engulf the blackened soil, small buds of white flowers replacing the decay.
It’s beautiful to witness the light driving out the darkness, and how much good she is doing so soon after taking power.
Once she is back on her horse, we ride, her magic renewing everything we pass. Now with no crown to steal and siphon the life force, winter no longer lingers here. Only a thriving forest remains after Nueena’s touch.
Well, everything but the Airvell River. The dried bed is still empty of the healing waters, but I see her eyeing it and hope joins me. The water is behind a powerful enchantment meant to harm the mortals, but Nueena has more magic than Zarella ever had.
We make eye contact, and I nod. She lifts one shoulder to say maybe, but her smile is confident with a secretive twist. My wide grin makes her laugh, her crown glinting with the sunlight.
With that river, the mortals’ lives would be completely changed.
Adreania’s enormous black ironstone wall is a dreary sight among the rich green of the new forest. The kingdom has been sealed away for so long, the metal strips that form a grid are tarnished with a deep rust, the gate creaking loudly as it is slowly lifted, allowing us entrance to the back of the castle.
A tightness seizes my chest, a panic I could not hold back at the sight of such torment. Every painful moment rushes back to me of my time trapped in that castle.
Leon immediately reacts, his arm tightening around my waist, protectiveness surging in him. He twists Onyx’s reins, turning us back towards the forest. “Nueena, we’re leaving.”
“No!” I say, my voice shaking as I take back the reins. “I will be all right.”
Tendrils of Leon’s displeasure at my insistence flicker within me, but I need to do this.
“Strawberries, if you are not ready to return, I’m taking you to our cottage.”
Nueena rides to my side. “It’s all right if you need more time before stepping foot in there.”
Both of them stare at me with the same expression of concern and I take a deep breath.
“I wish to be part of this meeting. I will not let the atrocities of vile men haunt me forever. I know it’s only been a few days since I was trapped here, but they have ruined enough.
I will not allow them to hold me back.” At my direction, Onyx turns to the castle again, and I rub his neck lovingly.
They both nod and we head towards the castle.
Leon’s pride overshadows my fear, wrapping me with the warmth of his love, and I know it will be all right.
Henrik, Lyrora’s handsome guard, greets us all before facing me. “We are happy to have you back under much better circumstances, Princess Izadella.”
Oh, right.
Callen and Lyrora must have already been in contact.
I suppose that is what I am but it's strange to hear.
Nueena giggles as if she can read my mind, giving me a teasing bow of her head that makes me roll my eyes as we dismount our horses. We follow Henrik inside so he can escort us to his queen.
Is it terribly impolite to ask him if anything will change between them now that she is in control? They were so tender and sweet; surely, they could be together now.
After a lifetime under her brother’s cruelty, she deserves it.
The servants are smiling. Curtains are all drawn open, letting in the sunshine. Those horrible paintings of the royal family of Adreania are gone but new art has replaced them; all evidence of wicked families has been erased.
The new lightness to the castle calms me.
Someone has replaced all the gray-and-black Fasaile banners. Now white-and-blue ones hang with a new crest that shines brightly, embroidered with silver thread, of a castle with open doors, threaded stars around it.