Chapter 24 Briar #3
Vyraetos cleared his throat from his position next to Many-Greats.
“I would certainly agree that it does. Fate is often difficult to interpret until acts are concluded and we look back on them. But it seems that the warning against the union of an Aureline Fae and a Shadow Fae was simply a statement of what would happen. Fate determined Briar’s arrival and her success from the very beginning, and I do not think anything could keep these two apart. ”
Many-Greats tilted his head forward. “Though I am biased, I also agree that this is the best course. Fate has dealt with the rot within our realm and the corruption within our Council. As painful as it has been, it has also revealed our need for different leadership and better oversight.”
A woman, whom I assumed to be the Aquen Queen, based on her blue robes and sea serpent markings, cleared her throat. “Perhaps. But the Shadow Kingdom must have its own king and queen. If these two become High King and High Queen, who will look to the needs of the Shadow Kingdom?”
Vad’s wings flexed. His shadows curled around his legs and mine, and a faint smile tugged at his lips.
Affection radiated through our bond. “When I thought there was the possibility that I could not be with Briar and that I might have to set aside the crown, I knew there was only one choice. She has served this kingdom faithfully from the first day she was able.” He extended his hand then to Elara.
Elara’s eyes widened. She pressed a hand over her heart. “I would be honored to serve.” Her throat bobbed as her eyes misted. “But…I would not wish to rule alone.”
“We could host another trial,” a freed council member said.
Vad shot him a glare.
Elara ducked her head, a smile spreading over her face.
“No. If we are doing things in a new fashion, then I would learn from the excellent example of my father and my brother, and not determine my partner by trial. There is no need for tests of strength and cunning if there is someone worthy who desires me, and I see no point in continuing that tradition.” She cut her gaze to Silus.
Silus held her gaze for a moment. Then he dipped his head forward and moved to stand directly in front of us, his boots crunching on the rubble.
His gaze homed in on me. “When Briar first arrived and I realized how swiftly and deeply Vad was coming to care for her, I advised him to choose anyone else. I feared she would bring about the downfall of our kingdom. Instead, Briar brought about its transformation and healing. I was wrong in every respect, and I cannot, in good conscience, ask for your permission to request Elara’s hand in marriage until I address that matter. Can you forgive me?”
Vad’s hand on my waist tightened, subtle and grounding. Pride rippled along our bond, thick with history and pain. Do you accept this apology? he asked me.
Yes. The warmth intensified, and even my wolf whined with happiness.
“Yes,” Vad said, his voice low but steady. “Even when we have had our differences, I have always known that you are a man of conscience and conviction, and that you love my sister. You have our blessing.”
Silus’s throat bobbed. His jaw flexed once before he turned back to Elara.
Everyone had fallen silent, the air rich with tension. The Ignis Fae queen pressed her hand to her lips, already smiling. Rhielle folded her arms as she leaned back against Veralt.
His gaze fixed on Elara, Silus dropped to one knee and offered his hand, palm up.
“I do not know the day I first realized I loved you. You have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and you have made it better in every way. You said that you desire someone worthy, and that is not me. But I will strive to be worthy of you, and I will love you until my bones are dust and the stars fall from the sky. Will you do me the honor of giving me your hand in marriage?”
Elara’s lips parted. Her hands lowered to her sides, fingers curling once before she reached out and touched his cheek. “Yes.” Her voice broke. “Of course. And you are worthy. You’ve been worthy since the day I met you.”
Silus rose and cupped one hand under her chin while his other moved to the small of her back.
Her cheeks flushed as one of her hands slid to his shoulder and anchored her against him.
He leaned in slowly and brushed his lips to hers, so gently at first it looked as if he’d barely touched her.
Then she leaned in, her hands sliding up his shoulders and her fingers threading into his hair.
Their kiss deepened, his hands bracing her tighter against him.
The Aquen King pressed a hand to his chest, his shoulders trembling as if holding back something too moving for words.
One of the elder Shadow Council members, her arm wrapped in a bloodstained sling, nodded, her lips parting in a silent exhale.
She whispered something to another surviving councilmember that sounded like, “I wondered how long it would take before he asked.”
Thalen's applause broke the reverent silence, loud and enthusiastic as he whistled. "About time!" His eyes sparkled under the blood still matting his silver-white hair.
The crowd joined in, their applause echoing through the Ceremonial Hall.
Myantha clapped beside Thalen, her smile radiant despite her exhaustion.
Rhielle simply smiled while Veralt's deep laugh rumbled behind her.
Even the royals and councilmembers added their approval, the sound swelling until it filled every corner of the vast space.
Silus pulled Elara closer, claiming her lips once more in a kiss that made her wings flutter. When Thalen whistled, Silus turned and shot him a glare, then hugged Elara closer as she blushed.
I leaned against Vad, warmth spreading through my chest as I watched them.
His arm tightened around my waist, and his thumb traced slow circles along the inside of my wrist. Through our bond, his happiness and pride mingled with my own.
His sister was finally getting the love she deserved after so much suffering, and with the man she had loved for so long, even if neither of them had admitted it until now.
As the applause died down, Vyraetos stepped into the fractured circle of stone in the middle of the hall, the tap of his boot against marble drawing every eye.
“We have representatives from the leadership councils and the royals of all the kingdoms present in this room. As this is an unorthodox situation, we are pursuing an unorthodox solution. Your Majesties.” He fixed us with his calm and weary gaze.
“Are you willing to accept this charge?”
Vad linked to me. Briar?
Yes. With you, I can do anything, I linked back.
Ember linked to me as well, her green eyes shining with delight as she stood with Ryker.
I should’ve known that day when I tried to alpha will you to leave our wolf pack for your own safety, and you stood up to me, that you were meant to be a far better alpha than I can ever be.
I’m so proud of you, my sister, Queen Briar!
My bottom lip trembled. I love you.
She smiled, placing a hand on her chest like her heart hurt. I love you too, little sister.
Vad’s fingers twitched in mine before he dipped his head forward. “It would be our honor to serve.”
“Good.” Vyraetos turned his hands palm up to face the assembled royals and councilmembers. “And are we in agreement to crown a High King and High Queen to oversee the Realm of Nytharia?”
High Queen. That was what the shadow beast had called me.
Silence held.
Then the Aquen Queen stepped forward. “Yes. Let those who stood up for all of us and fought to save us and our children from death oversee the matters of our world.”
One by one, the others answered in the positive. Some with brief nods, others with quiet words of assent. A few raised questions, asking for clarity. No one said no.
Many-Greats beamed at me.
Vad exhaled, low and steady.
My hand slipped into his.
Vyraetos gave one final nod.
And then, across the ruined hall, they knelt. Every last one of them—kings and queens, councilmembers, nobles, and guards. Some lowered their heads. Others rested their hands over their hearts. The sound of knees striking stone echoed like thunder.
And with one voice, they cried, “Long live High King Vad and High Queen Briar!”