58
Keltania
Three days pass, and the estate is in chaos. I keep mostly to myself, healing, trying to come to terms with all that’s happened.
All that’s about to happen.
The destruction of the Dream did something to the land. Just hours after it was destroyed, magic began to return. It was subtle. A patch of forest here, a sparkle in a pond there, but it was undeniable. It will still take decades for Derriga to recover completely, but healing from the Great Drain has finally begun.
And maybe it started earlier. Twenty years earlier, to be exact. The magic began to return with Valen, then, later, with Suria. What we did just seems to have sped things along. Nature is finally getting its balance back. The land will heal.
I’ve kept the link muted. Not because we need to keep up the charade anymore—Valen upended all that—but because I wasn’t ready to feel everything. To let him in, once and for all. He’s always been more comfortable with the link than me. I never stopped to wonder why that was. But the night we returned to the estate, the night everything changed, Valen asked me what I was so afraid of.
I couldn’t answer him…because I didn’t know.
So, in an effort to give me time, space, he’s kept his distance. Not that there’s been a shortage of things for him to deal with. The loss of his power was a chaotic ripple through the Winter Lands. The council was worried that the Fae would no longer accept him. That they’d turn their backs. But in reality, it has been the opposite.
The villagers hiding in the caves were brought back to the estate, and within twenty-four hours, word of what happened in the woods started to spread. Twenty-four hours after that, the gifts started.
Letters of praise and flowers, food and livestock—there have also been several marriage proposals. The Fae of the Winter Lands understand what Valen has sacrificed to save them. They understand—and they are grateful. If his magic made them believe in him, then the loss of it made them adore him.
Then, of course, there’s the truth about us. It was met with some resistance but not nearly as much as we expected. The council is split. Celpin, to no one’s surprise, is against it. I’ve earned his trust and respect after what I did with Aphelian, but the right to be with his monarch? That might never happen.
Guria seems almost relieved. She was a bit hesitant about the idea, but overall, she thinks I’ll be a grounding influence in Valen’s life. That I might keep him…focused. Obviously, she doesn’t know him well enough.
Delkin is thrilled but also a bit surprised. He, like Valen and I, thought the blowback would be bigger. We spoke for several hours last night, and he admitted that maybe he didn’t have the faith in the Winter Fae that he should, only reiterating that his son was the best one to rule.
The kelpies Daroose called were instrumental in holding back Aphelian’s forces. They fought hard, side by side with the Winter Guard, and earned their loyalty and respect. The day after we returned, there was a small ceremony bestowing Daroose an official court title. He promised he wouldn’t let it go to his head. Of course, last night I overheard him talking to Guria, suggesting that there should be a statue in the courtyard in his likeness.
Then there’s Gensted…
I’m about to slip out my window for some fresh air when there’s a knock at the door.
I’ve been ignoring everyone except Delkin, but this time I open it. Somehow, I know who’s on the other side.
“I’m surprised you answered.” Gensted slips into the room and closes the door softly. “No one has seen you for days.”
“I figured we should talk…”
“It’s overdue,” he agrees. He settles on the edge of my bed, watching me. “But before you say anything, I need to speak.”
“Okay…”
“I know I said I didn’t want the Autumn magic back, but I see now that I was wrong.”
I smile. “I’m glad.”
“Coming with you and Valen to the Winter Lands was the single best thing I’ve ever done.”
“That magic will help you rebuild. You’ll see.”
“The magic is great, but that’s not what I mean.” He stands and takes my hand. “You are the most valuable thing to come from this trip. Had Aphelian won, had we all perished, it would have been worth it to me to have gotten to know you.”
“I feel the same way,” I say. “I understand now why I felt such an instant and intense connection to you. The druids—they have a name for it. A soul twin. It’s when two people are born the same day, at the same time. It’s very rare.”
“We’re—”
“Both born on the fall equinox.”
He laughs and draws me in, wrapping his hulking form around mine. When he pulls away, he says, “You will always have a place beside me, Keltania. Should you choose, the Autumn Fae would be lucky to have you as their co-monarch.”
“I appreciate that, but…”
“But you’re staying here, with Valen?”
“I am. I was so concerned about the Winter Fae not accepting me, but the truth is, if Valen accepts me, then why does it matter?”
He smiles. “I think that’s the perfect way to look at it.” Gensted smiles and embraces me. “I am going to miss you, sister. I hate saying goodbye…”
I return the hug, then gently pull away. “Don’t look at it as goodbye. We’ve found each other, Gen. Time, space—none of that matters. Besides…” I punch his arm playfully. “You know right where I’ll be.”
“That I do.” He bows, then covers his heart with his hand before turning and walking from the room.
I’ve always held back a little where Valen was concerned. When we got back to the estate, he asked me what I was afraid of. I didn’t know then, but I think I do now. I know, and I’m not afraid anymore. If Valen wants me, then I am his .