Chapter 14 #2
And then later, while navigating the Aethereal Mountains, she flew with a dozen moonwing phoenixes.
Smaller than the regular kind, but still impossibly bright.
Their feathers shifted between silver-white and deep indigo.
Rather than circle them, they circled her in flight, creating a figure-eight pattern to circle both Emmy and her mom, and she basked in their magic, feeling the edges of the infinity symbol they traced in the sky.
Her mother broke away to fly with a flock of starveil swans — massive, luminous birds with shimmering feathers of living starlight, each one edged in silver-white fire that trailed sparks like falling constellations.
Her mother flew with them in those perfect, ever-shifting spirals, and there was no doubt they recognized this dragon as their queen.
Eventually, the two made their way back to the Swan Castle. Her mother went inside to dress, and Emmy put her clothes back on in the courtyard before heading inside. Here, servants would do her hair and makeup. Life is absolutely different in Faerie.
She would snack while getting ready for dinner because she was starving after the change , but Faerie is also full of protocols, and one must be appropriately attired to eat dinner in a castle.
Twenty minutes later, her hair was curled, her makeup perfect, and she wore a deep forest green dress, the bodice fitted and sleeveless, the skirt layered but unruffled, and the silk moved with her like magic. She felt like the Faerie Princess she actually is.
As a child, she’d loved dressing up like a princess, and her mother had allowed her to go over-the-top with it. She’d also allowed Sapphyre not to.
As a teen, Emmy had hated having to dress up like a princess. Now, she neither loved nor hated it. It was fun to dress up for balls, but she no longer went over-the-top with it.
The maids knew her preferences, and she’d liked all three dresses they’d presented, but the green one worked best.
The woman who’d curled her hair had been curling it since Emmy was a child, taming wild tangles into princess-perfect ringlets while Emmy chattered about whatever was on her mind.
The one who’d fastened the dozens of buttons at the back of Emmy’s dress had once quite literally sewn a ballgown onto her when she was thirteen years old, because Emmy had stripped out of her dress at the previous ball and run around naked until her father had caught her and carried her out of the room.
God, she’d lost internet and phone privileges for three months, once back in her home realm.
Also, no video games. And her mother had determined which books she could read in her free time, when not doing schoolwork — Laura Ingalls Wilder books, Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, and so many more.
Emmy had taken to writing her own stuff during that time because she couldn’t stomach yet another ‘proper’ young woman book.
She slipped her feet into the silver-threaded hunter slippers with low heels and made her way to the dining room with her mother, who was wearing a simple off-white silk dress with tiny pearls sewn into patterns on the flowing fabric.
Dinner was amazing, as always. Starters of spicy mutton while her mom had a huge salad, and then about a half-pound of pork chops topped with the mushroom risotto her mom ate.
“So,” Sophia said once the main meal arrived. “Tell me about your life. Really tell me.”
“I’m not sure you want the truth, Mom.”
“I do. I mean, I don’t need to know the salacious stuff, but everything else? Yes, I want to know.”
“About my life with two men?”
Sophia reached across the table to squeeze Emmy’s hand. “I just want to know you’re safe, and happy, and that they treat you well.”
“They do. Better than well.” Emmy found herself smiling. “Zander respects my power. He doesn’t try to tame me or control me, he just … holds space for who I am. And Spence…” Her throat tightened. “He’s our foundation. Strong and steady and absolutely essential.”
“And the research? Your degree?”
“Eight baby rabbits,” Emmy said, unable to keep the pride from her voice. “I believe they are viable hybrids, but the proof will be when they have babies.”
Sophia’s eyes glistened. “Emmy. That’s wonderful.”
“I know my life isn’t what you and Dad imagined for me. Not the princess heir you were raising—”
“Stop.” Sophia’s voice was firm but gentle. “You found your path. Your own path. It took you a while to get here, but…” Her mother sighed. “Supposedly, it did for your father as well. Perhaps you’re more like him than even he is willing to admit.”
Emmy smiled. “Oh, the fact he fu … had sex with most of the royals in Faerie before he met you is kind of legendary.”
Her mom stood, came around the table, and pulled Emmy into a fierce hug. “I’m so proud of you. Not the Emmy who was supposed to be, but the Emmy you are .”
Emmy buried her face in her mother’s shoulder and took a shaky breath to keep her watery eyes from leaking. She felt her mother’s words to the bone – a validation she hadn’t realized she’d been craving.
“I’m happy, Mom. Genuinely happy. It’s good to know you can be okay with everything that’s making me happy.”
After dinner, they changed clothes and walked around the property before heading to the stables. Horses nickered softly as they approached, and Emmy couldn’t wait to visit with her old friends.
Snow Spirit made excited noises before Emmy stepped inside, and she went straight to her mother’s horse to pet and love on it. “Oh, I’ve missed you too, beautiful girl. I’m sorry I’ve been gone so long.”
“Who would you like to ride?” her mother asked.
She was about to answer that she wasn’t up to riding her father’s horse, when one of the unicorns unlatched his stall and stepped out.
I would be honored to carry you, Princess, his voice resonated in her mind, rich and courteous.
Emmy’s breath caught. Her hand froze mid-stroke on Snow Spirit’s neck. “You … really?”
You’ve always been kind to me. I wasn’t allowed to offer when you were a child, but you’re an adult now.
Emmy’s throat tightened. Unicorns only offer their service to those they deem honorable and worthy. They can see into a person’s soul, can see the truth of who people are. After everything she’d done, all the ways she’d fucked up…
“I don’t know if I’m … worthy,” she whispered.
I do. His dark eyes held hers, steady and certain.
Your heart now is the same as it was when you were three.
You’ve been tested by fire and ice, Princess.
You’ve been humbled, broken, and remade, but you haven’t let life or circumstances change you.
You’re still the same firebrand dragon with a pure heart.
Tears pricked Emmy’s eyes. She pressed her lips together hard, trying to keep control, but one escaped anyway. She stepped to him and held her hand a few inches from the side of his head, and waited.
He rubbed his head against her palm: permission granted, trust offered.
Only then did she pet him, running her hand down his neck, stroking. His coat was softer than anything she’d ever touched, like moonlight made tangible, and warmth radiated from him. Ancient magic that recognized her. Saw her.
“Thank you,” she said, voice rough with emotion. “I value your offer more than I can say, and I accept with humble gratitude.”
Her mother’s sharp inhale told Emmy just how significant this was. When Emmy glanced over, Sophia’s eyes were bright with tears and pride.
The unicorn knelt, and Emmy climbed onto his back — no saddle or bridle, just the smooth strength of him beneath her. She’d ridden horses bareback hundreds of times, but this was different. She could feel his power thrumming through her thighs, his magic settling around her like a blessing.
He rose gracefully, and they followed Sophia out into the courtyard and through the gates.
They rode through Faerie’s countryside in the late afternoon sun. The unicorn moved with a gait smoother than any horse Emmy had ever ridden, almost like floating as the landscape blurred past.
“So what’s next?” Sophia asked when their mounts slowed, and they rode side by side through a meadow of flowers that chimed softly as the breeze moved through them.
“Blood bond,” Emmy said, the words feeling both terrifying and right. “Soon. Maybe next month. I want to bind myself to both of them permanently.”
Sophia was quiet for a moment. “That’s a serious commitment.”
“I know, but I’ve never been more certain of anything. They’re mine, Mom. And I’m theirs.”
“Then I’m happy for you.” Sophia’s smile was genuine. “Truly. It’s soon, but I know you’ve heard the stories about my whirlwind relationship with your father before…” She blew out a breath. “I truly hope you’ve found what I have with your father.”
They rode in comfortable silence for a while longer, and Emmy felt something settle in her chest. If her mother approved, her father would have a harder time being a pain in the ass.
It wouldn’t stop him, but it might make him reconsider. Maybe.
“We should head back,” Sophia said eventually. “We’re coming up on eight hours.”
Jonathan had ridden her father’s horse a good deal behind them for most of the trip, but he came closer as they neared the castle, and was by their side by the time everyone dismounted.
Emmy thanked the unicorn again, stroking his neck one last time. She picked a peach from a tree and offered it to him with both hands, a small gesture of gratitude that felt woefully inadequate for what he’d given her.
He took it gently, his dark eyes warm. Thank you, your Highness. It was a pleasure carrying you and running beside Snow Spirit with her Majesty the Queen.
They walked outside the stables, where someone handed Emmy, her mom, and Jonathan their coats.
And then Emmy’s mom teleported the three of them back to the portal. Jonathan donned his coat and went through first this time, then came back to motion them through.
And just like that, the magical golden warmth of Faerie was gone. She’d returned to springtime in Alaska, and the thirty-degree evening air bit at her cheeks.
They walked down the steep trail in silence, then along the main path back to the parking lot.
A man Emmy recognized exited from the passenger side of a dark SUV, and she nodded to him.
“That’s my ride,” she told her mom, and then she pulled her into a hug. “I love you. Thank you. For everything.”
“I love you too, darling. It’s been a wonderful day. Now go get in the vehicle. I don’t know how you stand this cold.”
“It’s not so bad.” She nodded to Jonathan, and then went to the SUV, and was relieved to see her phone waiting for her in the back seat.
They were barely out of the parking lot when her phone buzzed with a message from Spence.
“How did it go?”
“Perfect. I’ll tell you both all about it when I get home.”
She leaned her head against the window and closed her eyes, feeling the lingering warmth of Faerie magic in her bones.
She really didn’t need to wait so long between visits.