Epilogue
Vera
The sweet scent of black tulips lingers in the air, and a warm breeze blows through the open balcony doors, cooling the heat of my skin brought on by an evening of dancing.
Couples fill the ballroom floor, twirling beneath lucent orbs of light to the music of a small orchestra.
I itch to snag Ikar’s arm and drag him back to the dance floor, but the well-wishers lined up to our left wait patiently for their turn to offer congratulations.
Rupi perches on my shoulder, chest puffed proudly, as if she was also crowned queen this morning. I pat her soft feathers with a grin.
To my left, Ikar speaks to an official from another country I’ve never heard of before, and I use the opportunity to admire how dashing he is in his royal uniform—so much so, I’ve been unable to keep my eyes off him the entire day.
Their words turn to a buzz as I remind myself again…
we’re married. Butterflies dance in my stomach at the thought.
Since we spoke vows this morning in a beautiful chapel, I’ve had to continually remind myself it’s all real.
Lucent was restored just weeks ago, but Ikar insisted we have a beautiful wedding and that we celebrate with the kingdom to build a strong relationship between the people and me.
I think the fact that I helped save them from gloam was enough, but I didn’t argue.
So far, all who’ve greeted me have seemed kind, some curious.
And with my hair up and the intentional design of my wedding gown, the mark on my back is showing for all to see.
The originators keep their distance, but I sense no hostility from them, and it gives me hope that maybe, just maybe, I can help mend what is broken in time.
Nadiette is noticeably absent from their ranks, having chosen to step down as head originator.
Because of her help during the battle, she avoided a trial for treason.
I’ve been told she has taken a position in her cousin, Rosten Waylon’s, low kingdom.
“Come here, my girl.”
I’m pulled from my thoughts by a familiar voice, and my eyes immediately brighten. “Mama Tina.”
Finally, a familiar face.
She wraps me in her outstretched arms, and I remember a second too late that I’m not sure this is how a queen should act.
But when I glance at Ikar, all I see is warmth in his eyes.
I step back and he nods to Mama Tina, appearing dignified until she yanks him into a tight hug that leaves him smiling.
Mama Tina steps back and leans toward me. “I knew he loved you when you showed up at my door wearing that atrocious animal dress.”
“Did you now?” Obvious unbelief colors my tone.
She gives me a knowing look. “Any man willing to travel the kingdom with a woman in that monstrosity has to love her.”
Rupi chirps in agreement from my shoulder, her feathers half-quilled—she never did like that dress. Ikar chuckles, wraps an arm around me, and pulls me into his side before he whispers in my ear, “She’s right.”
Mama Tina’s eyes grow watery, and I know she intends her next words to be on a more serious note as she grabs one of my hands between her own.
“Never stop trusting yourself, my girl.”
I nod, my eyes beginning to tear up as well.
Mama Tina motions Ikar closer and whispers something in his ear that leaves him smiling as he straightens.
“Come, Rupi. The fruit awaits,” Mama Tina calls.
Rupi pecks my earlobe affectionately once more and flaps to Mama Tina’s shoulder eagerly, even as Mama Tina shoots Ikar one last look with a raised brow and struts away.
“What was that about?” I whisper.
“She was just reminding me of something.”
“What was that?”
A smile twitches about his lips. “She expects little ones soon.”
His smile grows roguish at the blush heating my cheeks, but the next person in line has already stepped up and throws her arms around me.
“You actually did it.” Renna hugs me tightly. “Queen of Moneyre.”
She steps back, and I don’t miss the hint of sadness in her eyes that matches my own. Things are different now. We’re still Tulip sisters, but the rest of our lives will never be the same, including the fact that we’ll no longer share a home.
She squeezes my hand. “I’ll be staying with Mama Tina for now, until I figure out what’s next for me.”
I nod. “Just, don’t get into trouble with the fae,” I warn.
She rolls her eyes. “You worry too much.”
“I’ll have Drade check in—”
Her eyes widen and she shakes her head, but before she can speak, a deep, cold voice behind her says, “Congratulations.”
Drade steps up, and Renna pales as she sidesteps closer to me.
For a moment, I wonder if they could ever develop feelings for each other…
I care deeply for both of my friends, but I’m positive I just felt Renna tremble beside me, so I brush the fanciful thought away.
Drade is like a prowling, sleek panther; Renna, the gentlest of doves.
Certainly not two who I would ever imagine together.
Drade meets Ikar’s eyes for an intense moment, and I frown when I sense the challenge rising between them.
But I’ll not be having a brawl in the middle of my wedding celebration, and Ikar and I are married now; fighting over it won’t solve anything.
I place a hand on Drade’s arm to grab his attention.
“Thank you for coming, Drade.” I offer a soft smile, one of friendship.
“How could I miss it?” he drawls lazily. We all know he was forced to be here.
“You remember Renna?” I gesture to her at my side where she seems to be entranced by the swirl of marble on the flooring.
“Of course.” Drade merely sounds bored now.
“She’ll be staying with Mama Tina… you know humans must be careful with the fae…”
“I’ll be fine, Vera,” Renna mutters beside me, sounding embarrassed.
Drade interrupts before I can say anything else.
“It’s an honor to have one of the Black Tulips residing within the fae kingdom.
Do let me know if you need anything.” He bows slightly, turns on the heel of one of his sleek shoes, and abruptly crosses the room and exits through one of the side doors—I know he’s leaving.
“He’s a terrifying man,” Renna whispers to me.
“But handsome, you have to admit.” I bump her shoulder.
She shakes her head, but I know her well enough to know that she agrees. Before I can continue to tease her about it, a young man who bows before her and asks her to dance claims her attention. She looks back once more with a smile and a wave of her fingers.
Just past her, I spy Darvy dancing with Petra, one of my Tulip sisters, and Rhosse stands against a wall surrounded by three women, though it seems he was trying to hide in the first place.
A smile turns my lips. After years of struggle, it feels surreal to be here, our friends safe and lucent restored—some parts of our kingdom healed quickly, others will take time.
Admittedly, as news of the Black Tulips has spread, so have rumors.
We have a ways to go in gaining the trust of the kingdom, but hope grows as I observe the sense of genuine celebration over Ikar’s and my marriage.
The final dance is announced and Ikar draws me away from my thoughts, stepping before me and executing a perfect bow before taking my hand in his and kissing it so softly that tingles race up my arm as the crowd quiets and watches in silence.
“Dance with me, my queen?” The bit of unfettered desire in his eyes as the last word leaves his lips leaves me so breathless I can hardly respond, but somehow I’m able to perform the expected, somewhat graceful curtsey without falling over.
I allow him to lead me onto the cleared dance floor as the music strikes up in the background.
With Ikar’s solid presence before me, one strong hand at my waist, and the other holding my hand as he leads me through the steps, I find that suddenly… the crowd blurs into the background.
Warm air brushes the bare skin of my back as we dance, and I’m reminded how visible my mark is.
But here in Ikar’s arms, as the bridge of our magic flows whole between us, made stronger by the love we share, there is no fear.
All my life I thought freedom was not paying Tulip dues and hiding away with my secrets in a quaint shop…
and while I haven’t given up on the dream of my own shop—even as the new Queen of Moneyre—this is freedom in a way I never imagined possible.
The sound of Ikar’s deep voice draws my eyes up to his.
“I’ve never told you, but—” He continues leading through steps I can hardly recall, distracted as I am, before he continues.
“I’m glad you’re good at breaking rules.
” My eyes widen, and he grins as we make another turn, my dress floating out around us.
“And I can’t believe I’m saying this.” He pauses as he leads me into a spin, and then his hand lands firmly on my waist before he tugs me close and lowers his voice. “But thank you for arresting me.”
Heat runs the length of my body at the look in his eyes.
I don’t even notice we’ve stopped dancing or that the other couples have joined us on the dance floor, spinning all around us.
The only thing I see is Ikar and the look in his eyes that mirrors mine.
Soon, it will be just he and I. He must be thinking the same as he eyes the doors that will lead us away from the celebration soon.
“Just so you know,” I begin with a mischievous whisper that prompts his gaze to return to mine. “You’re my favorite criminal.”
His gaze darkens, and his lips turn up in a roguish half-smile as his hands tighten around my waist with protective affection. “I better be your only criminal.”
I laugh with genuine surprise at his reaction. “No denial?” I raise a curious brow.
“It’s useless. Besides—” He growls and steps closer, his lips brushing my ear and sending a rush of tingles down my body. “If you’re the captor, it’s the only thing I want to be.”
I smile just before his lips meet mine, and I’m struck anew that the king I was hiding from, the one I was taught to fear… is the one I love, and the one who set me free.
THE END