CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“WHO ARE YOU?” I ask, keeping close to Killian. I know he’s going to be on high alert even more now—if that’s possible—and I don’t want to scare the satyr off.
The newcomer’s grin widens into glee as he removes his teal beanie, revealing two small horns within the curls of his hair.
“I’m Komos Oakheart, Your Majesty. I’m the son of Timus Oakheart.
He runs the strawberry farm not far from here…
perhaps you remember him? I was just on my way there when the barrier fell!
Oh, Fates! The city is going to be overjoyed!
You must come! I would be honoured to guide you and your companion home! ”
I can’t help but smile at his excitement, but before I can respond, Killian does it for me. “I’m her mate. Not her companion. And I’m sure her other mates and Guard would wish to join us.”
My brows hit my hairline as I stare up at him. Did he just announce us as mates? I wasn’t sure if that was something he wanted to keep to himself while we slowly work on things, but I’m all for the claiming.
I knock on his mental walls and he instantly lets me in to give my message. “I’m going to get Nero to wake the others and bring them to us.”
“Good. I don’t want the satyr out of my sight, and I’d rather keep him away from camp. Have Nero tell Aemon to inform the Guard, and have the rest of camp start packing up. Let’s get you home, Little Warrior.”
A grin takes over my face as I reach out to Nero. “Wake the others. I got the barrier down.” I quickly pass on Killian’s message as well, and Nero’s excitement wakes Vasari.
Her celebratory roar echoes reaching our ears, and the satyr—Komos—crouches in fear, scanning the skies for where the noise came from.
“She won’t hurt you,” I tell him. “Have you all been here this whole time?” I ask, trying to distract him from thinking he’s breakfast.
His chestnut-brown eyes dart to me as he nods slowly, straightening his posture.
“Yes. The elders explained what happened, but a lot of us were starting to lose hope. That you’d come back, I mean.
We had no way to reach the outside realm for news, but we kept the city safe and rebuilt the damaged structures so they were ready for your return… if you returned. Which you did!”
Killian stays silent at my side while we wait and listen to the stories he has of living behind the barrier.
The remaining citizens of Maleen survived on crops and farms located outside the city but still within the barrier.
By the looks of it, they’ve thrived, and now I fear that taking down the barrier has brought war to their doors.
Aemon appears under the cropping of trees to my left, using the shadows to his advantage, and Talyn and Jesper come running down the hill behind us with a few of my Royal Guard following.
Nero flies above them all and aims straight for my shoulder, perching there like he owns it—and let’s face it, he does.
Komos’s eyes widen as he takes in all the new faces.
“Beastie! You did it!” Jesper sings as he picks me up and swings me around. “You must tell me how you did it. Oh, you’re bleeding. I didn’t know you were into that kind of stuff, Killian—”
Talyn cuffs the back of his head. “Not the time, Jesp.”
I smile and turn back to the satyr who’s looking more nervous with every new arrival. “Alright Komos. Take me home.”
VASARI AND OUR dragons are waiting for us to reach the inner city before making their appearance.
We don’t want to frighten anyone before they know what to expect, and six dragons flying in would definitely make half of these sheltered fae faint just from shock.
Plus I want to make sure the Dragon Keep we have here is up to standards.
As we were walking, Komos explained they’ve repaired the damage but… This just seems so surreal.
Ember, Roz and Lennox have joined our trek up into the city after I convinced Aemon to go grab them. I want to share this with them, too. I may have left here almost alone, fleeing for my life as a fledgling, but now I’m returning with everyone I love. Well, almost everyone.
My throat begins to clog with emotion. My mother and Mel should be here. My fathers should be greeting us in the royal halls. It’s bittersweet, and I’m feeling overwhelmed by all the intense emotions and memories.
Word has spread fast. The first buildings come fully into sight and I can already see fae, brownies, satyrs and other beings of the realms lining the streets.
A welcoming home fit for a Queen. But right now all I feel like is an imposter.
It’s been so long, and the last time I walked these streets was as Princess Maeven Pendroko.
Not as Ravina, the Null from Shalo who fought tooth and talon to survive.
How am I supposed to find a balance? Can I?
Will they even want me? I should get Aemon and some trusted guards to bring my mother home here once it’s secure. Would she even want that?
“Breathe,” Talyn whispers. “I can practically hear your thoughts. Just relax your shoulders and smile. You’re home, enjoy it. We can figure everything else out later.”
Jesper and Aemon push calming and steady emotions down the bond, and Nero nuzzles my cheek and I find myself relaxing.
As we get closer to the citizens of Maleen, I can’t help the pressure of emotion that builds in my chest and clogs my throat as fae of all species, color and gender lower themselves to their knees, whispering in awe at the sight of us.
“The princess, she came home”
“Are those the lords’ sons?”
“She’s back, mother, does that mean the war is over?”
Tears stream down their faces and soon shouts of joy and celebration chorus through the streets the further we walk down the cobbled path leading to the gates of the castle—to the heart of Maleen.
Its towering height is even larger than I remember.
The white-peaked spires reach towards the clouds and ornamental stained glass of every color fills each window and sparkles in the morning sun. Home.
Dread grows inside me the more excited and amazed faces I see, until it takes over everything else I’m feeling.
There are children here, elderly, people preparing food or wrapped in blankets, people simply living their lives.
We need to keep everyone here safe. It won’t be long before word reaches the lords that the barrier is down and Craven tries to finish what he started all those years ago.
We have so much to do, and as much as I want to take Talyn’s advice and just enjoy being home for a moment, we need to prepare for an attack.
I’m sure my mates are already planning, wanting to take the brunt of the weight off my shoulders, but I can’t just sit idly by, smelling all the gorgeous flowers that now line the street from the earth magick being cast as my citizens welcome me back.
Jesper sneezes. Then sneezes again. “Not the flowers,” he whines as numerous sneezes hurtle out of him.
By the time we make it to the gates of the castle, his eyes are ringed red and his nose is running.
“Why don’t you go find the healers and get a tonic?” I murmur as the golden gates creak open.
He sniffles and then sneezes again. “You don’t mind?”
“Of course not. I would like it very much if my mate could breathe,” I tease quietly as he darts in, kissing my cheek before beelining it inside.
I turn and face the crowd that has followed us to the gates, looking hopeful. So many faces I don’t recognize—but a few that I do, even though they’ve aged. “Should I say something?” I ask Aemon.
“I think that would be wise.”
My head dips slightly so he knows I’ve heard him as I focus back on the growing crowd in front of us.
I push air up through my throat, clearing it, unsure what I will even say.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been home.
I’m not going to lie and sugarcoat things for you, because I believe you deserve the truth: the Lords have corrupted the lands and threaten to destroy Damorleia with their way of thinking.
They possess a magick that can only be defeated with shadowflame.
I’m sorry, the war isn’t over—but I will do everything within my power to keep you safe.
” I project my voice, using the wind to carry it for everyone to hear.
“I come with an army, not only those you see here. I promise to follow in my mother’s footsteps and bring peace to the realm for every fae.
For now, I ask that you please stay indoors once the sun begins to set. I will send word when we know more.”
I don’t wait for the crowd to erupt; instead I spin and head as quickly as my feet will carry me inside.
If I would have known there were still fae here, I’m not sure that I would have come back yet, but I know there’s knowledge here to help us end this war.
So I will start with knowledge in my efforts to protect them.
“Send for all the warriors in leadership positions and tell them to meet in the war room,” I tell Aemon as we enter the grand foyer.
“Kill, set up a perimeter around Maleen. I don’t want anything getting past us.
Vasari is ready to help replace the regular torch lights with shadowflame. I don’t want anyone unprepared.”
“Evisdor is ready to help with that too.”
Nero takes to the air and slips out the door before it closes. “I’ll take to the skies and report anything suspicious.”
Ember takes Roz’s hand. “If someone could point us in the direction of the Dragon’s Keep, then we can go check it out. That way your beasts aren’t out in the open, even if they can take care of themselves.”
I nod, feeling relieved that even though it’s not much, it’s a start.
I turn to Lennox, ready to give him a task to keep his mind off things, when I notice him looking around aimlessly.
But before I can speak, he gives himself a job.
“I’m going to find Cynder and the crew.” And then he strides off.
Something is definitely going on there, but I have more to deal with. I’ll have to wait to check in on him.
Everyone disperses, leaving Talyn and me alone in the foyer. “And what about us?” he asks with a smirk.
“I was thinking we should go to the kitchens and prepare a quick snack and beverages for everyone and ready the war room. I think we are going to be in there for a bit as we get our bearings."
“That won’t be necessary, Princess Maeven,” a weathered voice interrupts. “I can send the staff to do that for you.”
Talyn steps in front of me and as I peer around him, I see my mother’s most trusted advisor. She was old when I was young here, and I’m surprised to still see her alive but relieved all the same.
“Madam Windwhisper!” I gasp as I scramble in a very unqueenly way around Tal and run towards the elder pixie.
She grunts in what anyone else would interpret as annoyance, but I know for a fact she’s just as excited as I am. My arms wrap around her and I give her a hug, just like I used to, and somehow it feels like no time has passed at all.
“There there,” she pats my back. “Now, you need the war room prepped with refreshments? I believe I saw a red-haired male with a runny nose running towards the healers’ quadrant like a bat out of the void. I’m assuming he’s with you?”
A laugh escapes me. “Yes, Jesper. And I’m sure you remember Talyn?”
Her eyes narrow. “Yes, I remember the Lords’ spawn. If I may speak out of turn, is it wise to have them so close knowing who their fathers are?”
My fingers lace through Talyn’s, and though this may be a bold move, I’m not hiding them. “The lords’ sons are my fated mates, Madam Windwhisper. There’s no place I’d rather have them all than at my side.”
Her eyes widen and her mouth drops open before she promptly shuts it. “Of course. I’ll have your mother’s old rooms prepared as well, then.”
“No.” She stops abruptly and I continue. “My mother will still need use of them. For now at least. She’s safe, but has fallen into a coma. I want to bring her home and keep her comfortable while she’s still with us. Guest rooms will be fine for us.”
If I thought she was shocked at the mate situation, this news nearly takes her off her feet.
Talyn and I steady her as she regains her balance.
“This is impossible,” she whispers in awe.
“It seems we have a lot to speak about. Your mother has given me specific instructions for this day, but this news was not part of it.”
“Instructions?” I ask.
“Yes, Princess Maeven, but perhaps it would be best to speak of it behind closed doors, away from curious ears. The west wing is available, if you would like to stay there for the time being…?” she asks, almost seeming far away.
“Yes, that would be great. Thank you.”
She dips into a curtsy and heads toward the kitchens and I turn to Talyn. “Let’s freshen up.” He catches what I don’t say—that I need a minute to put myself together, away from all the prying eyes that I forgot the castle had.
“Come on, Princess,” he murmurs. The moniker once sounded like a cruel, teasing name, and now, I find comfort in the way it rolls off his tongue. I take his outstretched hand and he tugs me along through the corridors.
I can only hope that there are no more big surprises waiting for me within these castle walls, but my gut tells me otherwise. I suppose I shall just need to wait and see.