Epilogue
My parents proved as willing to embrace Zak as I had predicted, their opinion changing instantly once they understood he meant to defy his entire society for my sake.
Or it might have been his role in saving me from the Shrouded Mage.
He tried to tell them I had been the one to save him, but my mother merely collapsed sobbing on his shoulder, thanking him again and again for saving her baby.
Zak’s parents proved less amenable. He seemed undaunted by their opposition, but I was less able to believe they would eventually come around.
Those doubts filled my mind as I moped at home on the next rest day. I was brooding over the future when my mother called that I had a visitor. My mood lifted immediately, given the enthusiasm in her voice, and I hurried toward the door, expecting to see Zak.
Instead, I found Faylee.
“Welcome back!” I exclaimed, almost as glad to see her as I would have been to see Zak.
She didn’t waste any time on greetings, however, thrusting an armful of material toward me.
“Quick, go and put that on. As fast as you can. We need to get going.”
“What?” I stared at her in confusion.
But my mother flapped her arms at me, gesturing for me to take the clothing Faylee was holding out. “You heard her! Hurry!”
Bemused, I accepted the gown being pushed on me and raced back to my room. I pulled it on with some difficulty, gaping at myself in the mirror when I’d finished.
I smoothed my hands down the soft material, finer than anything I’d ever worn. It looked like something Gina’s mother would put her in—right before complaining that the sash had been tied crooked. Clearly it had come from the Robarts’ wardrobes. But why was I being hurried into it?
When I reappeared, Faylee ran a critical eye over me.
“Thank goodness it’s the right length,” she said. “I wasn’t sure. Now come on, we need to get going.”
“But where? And why the hurry?” I threw a helpless look at my mother as Faylee hustled me out the door and onto the street.
A carriage waited for us, barely able to fit on our narrow street. I only had time to raise my brows before I was thrust up the steps and inside.
Once we were both seated and the horses had begun moving, I tried again.
“Whatever is going on, Faylee? Where are we going?”
“To the palace,” she said matter-of-factly. “To see the king. I was delayed because I had to find a relative the same height and build as you, and we don’t want to be late.”
“The king?” My mouth fell open, terror filling me. “Faylee, why are we going to see the king?”
“Mainly you’re going to see him. I’m just tagging along because I have enough credit to force myself into situations where I’m not wanted.” She flashed her straight, white teeth in a grin.
“It would have been your young man here with you instead of me,” she continued at my unintelligible sound of protest. “But thankfully he has the good sense to recognize his own limitations—such as the last-minute provision of an appropriate gown. So he trusted me with getting you to the palace on time. And I believe in keeping the trust given to me.”
“But why does the king want to see me?” I managed to get out.
“You must have heard that the Reds confirmed the man you captured is the real Shrouded Mage,” she said. “And they rushed through his sealing ceremony only yesterday.”
I nodded. The lower city had been abuzz.
“They’re still debating what to do with him next—whether to execute him or just lock him away for life,” she continued.
“But as far as the king is concerned, this chapter is closed, and he’s very pleased about it.
” She looked grim despite her words, and I cast her a careful look, remembering something important.
“I heard the last victim was a Robart,” I said. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
She nodded. “He was a distant cousin, but the family is furious.”
“Is that why you’re here?” I asked.
She nodded. “The crown allowed law enforcement to deceive the commonborn population, so that we thought the threat was over. I’m sure the king was less than pleased when he heard the next victim came from a family with teeth.” She bared hers, her expression fierce.
“But he’s the king!” I protested.
Faylee looked at me and laughed, her expression relaxing.
“Calm down. I’m not going to challenge him for his throne.
I’m just going to do the same thing anyone with power would do in my place—remind him that I can’t be safely ignored and see if I can maneuver the situation to some advantage.
” She gave me a smile. “In this case, I intend to right my family’s ledger by settling an old wrong. ”
I decided not to even question that, instead looking out the closest window as the University flashed past. If we’d already reached the University, we were almost at the palace.
I gulped as the carriage rolled through the open palace gates. I wasn’t sure my legs were going to hold me as I climbed down, but thankfully Zak was waiting for me, taking my arm and giving me strength.
I smiled up at him, but my eyes must have looked a little wild because he laughed quietly.
“Relax. We’re here to be commended, not punished.”
I nodded, refraining from reminding him how different our situations were.
He had probably attended functions at the palace since he was a small child, whereas I had never even dreamed of stepping inside the palace grounds.
It was only a reminder of the differences between us at a time when I’d resolved to stop thinking of them as much as possible.
All too quickly, we were swept up the grand steps of the palace by waiting footmen and ushered through a bewildering set of corridors. Everywhere I saw white marble, red and gold decorations softening the severity of the stone.
I was still trying to take it all in when a footman opened a door and announced us.
“Zakary of Callinos and Aria of Corrin.”
Zakary swept inside, taking me with him, and Faylee trailed in behind us. “And Faylee, also of Corrin,” she said with a cheeky grin that stopped just short of disrespect.
“Faylee,” a young woman said, clearly stifling a laugh. “It’s always lovely to see you.”
“And you, Princess Elena.” Faylee grinned back, giving a small curtsy.
I dropped into a curtsy of my own, swallowing as I realized I faced not only King Stellan, but also Queen Verena, Crown Princess Lucienne, Prince Lucas, and the Spoken Mage, a small baby girl in her arms. The entire royal family was there—with the exception of the toddler prince.
When I rose, I was relieved to see that everyone present was smiling at us, with the exception of Lucas. But his attention was on his wife and baby, so I didn’t think it indicated his disapproval.
“We understand extraordinary thanks are in order.” The queen spoke in a deep, musical voice.
“You succeeded where the entire law enforcement discipline could not,” King Stellan added. “Duke Soren is shown up.” He sounded amused rather than annoyed by our outshining the Head of Law Enforcement.
Zak gave another bow, and I quickly dropped into a second curtsy.
“We are pleased to serve Corrin in any way we can,” he said with a smile. “Even if that’s by being attacked.”
“You were more than just a victim,” the Spoken Mage said, “and I understand you worked together to overcome him.” She turned her gaze on me, her brow creasing slightly.
“But I know you!” she exclaimed, and I squeaked.
“We met at the sealing ceremony at the start of summer. You’re the one with all the brothers. Four!”
She laughed, throwing a speaking glance at Prince Lucas that I didn’t even try to understand.
“Three is quite enough,” he said to her in a low aside, and she laughed again before turning back to me.
“But I had no idea you were so heroic.”
“They were Zak’s compositions,” I managed to say, amazed my voice still worked. “But he was incapacitated, so I had to work them.”
“Once again we see what can be accomplished when mages and commonborns work together in partnership.” Her words were light, but I could sense they weren’t idle. There were undercurrents in the room that I was far from understanding.
“And you have both only just graduated from your respective schools,” Prince Lucas said, giving us his attention for the first time. “It was a truly remarkable feat. You must tell us how we can reward you.”
His father shifted slightly, and I wondered if the talk of a reward was unexpected to the king. I had no idea what sort of reward the prince had in mind, and I certainly wasn’t going to risk opening my mouth and making a suggestion.
Zak, however, showed no such compunction.
“The only reward we seek is your blessing on our betrothal.” He met the king’s eyes boldly.
The various reactions on the faces of the royals were subtle, but they must have been greatly shocked to show any reaction at all. Only the Spoken Mage and Prince Lucas didn’t reveal the slightest hint of surprise.
The king cast a swift look at them both, but when he spoke, it was to Zak. “I didn’t realize you were a couple.”
“Aria has only just agreed to marry me,” Zak said. “So it isn’t widely known. But we are aware that many will oppose the match—my own parents among them. Your blessing would go a long way toward ensuring our happy future.”
The king cleared his throat, glancing at his wife.
“You have made an unusual choice, Zakary of Callinos.” The queen sounded neither approving nor disapproving.
“Perhaps,” Zak said. “But not a surprising one, I think. Aria is beautiful, intelligent, and fierce. If she could control power, every mageborn at the Academy would have wanted to either befriend her or marry her.”
The crown princess let out a sudden chuckle. “That I can believe.”
“You give no thought to your children?” the queen asked, making me flush and duck my head.