Chapter 46
SORROW
The Alliance has died. In this new dawn, we forge a Union. A Union not only of nations but of souls, of dreams, of potential. Our new world values equanimity and equality above greed or profit. A world of peace, wonder and opportunity. A world to be truly proud of.
— A STATEMENT OF ABSOLUTION. DICTATED BY QUEEN SORROW ELMSWOOD
‘There.’ I flinched as Skye placed the tiara onto my head. ‘She looks stunning, doesn’t she, Asher?’
‘A true queen.’ I heard the smile in his tone.
I smoothed down the silk. ‘I’ll have to take your word for that, then.’
Asher laughed, while Skye sucked in a breath.
I still hadn’t had the opportunity to mourn the loss of my sight in the three months since we’d defeated Delphine.
There hadn’t been a single moment. She’d razed our world without a single care.
Her desperation, her greed to be more than she was, had destroyed far too much.
The fractured Alliance. The damn Brotherhood, who’d gone underground since we’d collectively disbanded them and ended the cruel practice of sacrificing Tributes.
We’d removed Delphine’s title. Erased it from history. She’d never again be called by the moniker she so coveted. Delphine would forever be known by the name she despised. I set my dark gaze to the Heavens. Did Evella still watch over us since Delphine had tried to destroy her?
And what of Vyrus? Both he and Evella had vanished, returning humanity to the silence we were so used to. Had they reconciled amongst the stars? Did he seek absolution for his sins or, as I hoped, had he finally given up on vengeance and set her free?
I rolled my shoulders as a familiar warmth settled beneath my fingers and smiled.
These were questions I’d only discover the answers to once I passed to the other side.
And as a hand laced within mine on the other side of the wolf, I knew I would make sure it was a long, long time till my curiosity was finally sated.
‘Ready?’
I nodded, leaning my head against Matthias’s shoulder for a moment, revelling in his warmth. He’d needed time to talk with King Musa. To purge themselves of their shared memories. He rested his head against me and I knew he wore that grin on his beautiful face. The one he wore just for me.
‘Has my sister arrived yet?’ I asked as he moved his remaining hand to my elbow and led me towards the first-ever assembly of The Union.
‘The Drufaeran entourage entered a while ago. Queen Enfys waved, but…’
I raised my brows. ‘You could have told me. I’d hate to look rude.’
Matthias laughed, gave my elbow a gentle squeeze.
‘Evella forbid the wolf queen might appear a bit impertinent.’
The soft carpet muffled our footsteps as the doors to the old Alliance, our new Union, opened and I was flooded by the sound of chatting. Matthias tugged me against him, halting, and I stopped.
‘We’re in the doorway,’ he whispered against the shell of my ear, and I fought to repress the thrilled shiver that shimmied down my spine. Clearly I did a bad job as his lips curved against my neck. ‘I want everyone to see my wolf queen. To bask in her glory.’
The room stilled. The chatter died. I held my head high.
‘They’re standing,’ he said.
I jolted as the room exploded into thunderous applause.
I knew it wasn’t only for me. They’d appeared to have found a figurehead in me, their wolf queen.
But it had been Matthias who’d torn across the continent to fight for us all.
He, who’d passed over to the other side trying to save me, until Vyrus returned him to our realm.
A mortal man, neither Anomaly nor Deviant, but with a soul that had made a sacrifice so noble the Gods granted him a second chance at life.
A gentle tug of his hand told me we were stepping forward. We’d not squander this chance. This opportunity to forge our life and make this world better.
The applause and cheers grew. I couldn’t see the room, but I’d known we’d had it altered in order to make room for the Midnight Insurgence, the Sisters and, despite my many protests, the hunters.
Anomalies, elected to represent our unique needs and play a part in the decision-making sat amongst the extended seating area.
Today, we’d elect our first head of state.
A person chosen by the whole Union to lead for a half-decade term.
My husband and I had stepped aside, despite the many requests from Queens Sarus and Amala.
Matthias had too many bridges to repair in Asmar for us to dedicate any more time to the Union.
He still bore the scars Delphine had inflicted on him and our people.
When the night was at its darkest, he woke, soaked in sweat, begging forgiveness, clinging to me as though he’d die again if he let me go.
I held him, the words of the Goddess thrumming through my mind; he may not be the same. You may have lost him.
So, I clutched the boy I adored, just as I had when we were children.
My fingers trailed the heat rising up my neck as I recalled the morning. Matthias’s deep kisses. His touch sparking flames across my skin as I wrapped my thighs around him, knowing how the move undid him. The loss of his hand had taught him to become even more creative, and a smile curled my lips.
As we took our seats, the applause died. Pablo lay his head on my lap. A satisfied rumble ran through the wolf, and I knew Matthias scratched the fur behind his ear.
‘Raine is about to read their pledge,’ he whispered, and I sat straighter, keen to hear their words. I only wished Isbeth had lived to witness how her son and lover worked together, sharing ideas, determined to mould this new Eusis into a fairer one.
I sat back, exhaled and clutched my husband’s hand. Today, we came together to forge a new path.
Matthias brushed a kiss to my knuckles, placed his wicked mouth against my ear. A blush raged against my neck. ‘I hope this is all settled quickly.’ His tone darkened and I bit my lip. ‘I’m already missing our bed.’
I slapped him on the thigh, shaking my head.
Then, I raised my chin and, with my wolf on one side, my Matthias the other, welcomed our new dawn.