Chapter 38
Chapter Thirty-Eight
ELARIYA
Father glanced around the room, taking it all in.
We sat in the sunroom at Vyrenth Hollow. I'd only just returned from the Citadel, eager to spend a little more time with him before everything changed again.
Wolfe and the others had matters to attend to, leaving us with something we'd both been denied for far too long.
Time together.
He’d shaved and cleaned up while we were away. Now he looked more like himself, more like the father I last saw years ago.
I’d expected him to be exhausted after everything he'd endured, but his energy seemed renewed just from being here. Being here and rescued.
He was happy. Just as happy to be with me as I was to be with him.
It also occurred to me how strange this must feel after so many years alone. He told me his horse had died a year after they arrived in Ozaileith. After that, there had been no one.
Not a single living soul. My heart ached for him.
In return, I told him about the memory curse and what those five years had been like. I brought him up to speed on Thayden, the Deathless, and everything else that had happened since the day he disappeared.
It wasn't an easy conversation. So much had changed while he'd been gone.
I'd sent word to my mother to tell her we'd found Father and brought him home. I expected her, Grandmother, and Emabelle to arrive at any moment.
It was Wednesday. They always traveled into town to get supplies at the apothecary for the healing quarters. I wish I could see her face when she got the news about Father.
He looked at me now with fondness in his eyes. “I can’t believe so much has happened. But then what did I expect? I’ve been gone for almost 6 years. I missed your wedding.”
I waved a hand. “Oh Father, it’s fine. It’s not like you went gallivanting somewhere.”
“I know, but I still feel bad. My little girl got married. My only child and I wasn’t there to see her to give her away. But I suppose you’re in good hands. The best hands you could be in.”
I blushed a little. “Wolfe is good to me. But I understand it’s a surprise to you.”
Father chuckled and brushed my cheek with the back of his knuckles. “I can’t deny that I’m surprised. When I was around you two had never met. And he’s…”
I smiled sheepishly. “A three-hundred-year-old Fae prince… King?” I filled in, the king part still sinking in. “And I’m a few months shy of my twenty first birthday.”
“Yes. I’ll wrap my head around it though.” The determination in his eyes filled me with awe. “None of that matters if you’re happy and in love.”
I held his gaze and nodded slowly. “We are. We truly are.”
“I know. I saw the way he looked at you and it was enough for me. I don’t think I could ask for anyone better. Which brings me to Thayden.” The brightness in his eyes dimmed. “I’m glad you didn’t have to marry Thayden.”
I shuddered. “Me too, Father. He is truly evil. Mattieu is just as bad. He wants our land and Thayden wants me.”
“That’s not going to happen.” His brows snapped together and his eyes darkened. “They both had me fooled. But I see their intentions clearly now.”
“It was terrible Father. It made me wonder if they were ever real with us.”
Displeasure lined the press of his lips.
“I don’t think they were. You said the ring showed them getting involved to get you back from Wolfe.
I think it was before. Mattieu and Prince Maelor have always been as thick as thieves.
I think Mattieu would have had some idea what was going on long before I disappeared. ”
My breath snagged. “Do you think so?”
“Yes. Knowing Mattieu, he only helped the family out in my absence to put you in the situation where there was no option but to marry Thayden. He may not have fully known about Maelor’s plans with the Deathless, but I suspect he turned on me the first chance he could.”
That rang true to me too. “I think you’re right.”
“That day at the palace when Maelor killed Lysander, he wasn’t supposed to be there. He turned up last minute, aware of plans I only shared with Mattieu to visit Galaythia.”
“That definitely sounds suspicious.”
“I guess none of that matters now. Only the gods know what they’re planning.” He stared off into the garden, deep in thought. “No one is trustworthy when they can be bought.”
I wished I could say we didn’t worry about them, but nothing was further from the truth. I saw it for myself. The Deathless were using them along with Maelor to gain strength. They were connected. As long as that connection remained, they were dangerous.
He returned his gaze to me. “I need you to stay safe Elariya. I wish you… were never dragged into this.”
“I know, but I’m here.”
“Wolfe is planning a war. You need to stay away from that. I couldn’t bear it if something were to happen to you. I just found you.”
The emotion in his voice stopped me from arguing. I too couldn’t bear to ruin the moment. As I looked at him it was hard to believe he was even here.
Each memory reset I’d lived out the horror of seeing him being taken away by the vortex. Never to be seen again. Until now.
That part of the nightmare was over.
The sound of familiar voices cut into the moment.
“Where is he? I must see him,” that was Mother. She was in the hallway not far from the room.
“Lady Grayson, welcome back. Lord Grayson is in the sunroom with your daughter,” Sirril’s cheerful tone drifted down the hallway then a rush of footsteps followed. I could imagine my mother running.
In the message we’d explained everything, letting her know my father had been innocent. I wanted her to have that clarity of mind and heart, so that when she saw him, she could look exactly the way she did now.
Mother appeared at the door, eyes widened and frantic with anticipation. She froze when her gaze landed on my father and the color drained from her face.
Father had already stood from the moment he’d heard her voice. He looked at her like he always had. As though she were his entire world.
My mother had told me once that nobody, not even me could love my father the way she did. I didn’t dare say it was different because he was my father.
I knew what she meant. Now I saw what it. The pure, deep love.
The kind worth fighting for. The kind she gave up her powers for to be with him in the mortal realm.
I wasn’t sure who moved first. Him or her.
They flew into each other’s arms. Like the magic of the realm gave them unnatural speed and couldn’t stand for them to be apart any longer.
I stood, joy swelling within me as I watched their reunion.
My father held my mother close. Her arms were wrapped so tightly around him, I feared they would snap.
"My forest rose," Father whispered against her ear. "I missed you terribly."
“I missed you more than words can say. You’re alive. You’re alive.”
“I’m alive.” He spun her around. They laughed. Then my mother broke down. Tears of joy. Tears of sadness. Tears of overwhelm. Tears of relief.
I felt every single emotion.
For the first time in years my family was whole again.
We spent the rest of the day together. Emabelle and Grandmother joined us too.
Soon Arielle returned and she fit right in as though she was part of the family. She and Emabelle had always gotten on so well. It was like they were the same person.
Soon the sky darkened, and I realized how long the day had been. It felt like two days rolled into one.
It was only this morning that I’d been in Dravkava with Viktor getting my powers aligned. From there I got my dragon, my father, and the ring. Wolfe became king of Galaythia, cleared his name, and my family had been reunited.
To say a lot happened was an understatement.
Wolfe and the Bloodsworn were still away. I knew they were probably gathering the army and discussing battle plans. I also knew my journey, my purpose had come to an end.
I’d tracked the ring and did all the things I’d set out to do. I’d gone on this… magical adventure that I never expected to experience. And godsdamn it, I was a powerful mage. Sure, I still needed to get a grip on my powers, but they were there, settling into my soul.
That was why it didn’t feel like the end for me.
It felt like there was more in store.
Maybe it was because I was a queen?
Me.
The thought threw me. I didn’t feel like a queen. Like I could be anything close to the title.
I imagined Wolfe with someone like the beautiful, well-put-together princess of Thalyrius.
But he'd chosen me.
After supper I noticed Emabelle missing from the group, so I decided to look for her, hoping she hadn’t gotten into trouble.
My cousin had a penchant for finding it.
I found her at the bottom of the garden, standing by the cliff, admiring the waning sun as it sank beyond the horizon. We were in the pocket of the day that I liked. The quiet breath between day and night. Any moment now night would seize control and daylight would surrender.
The wind lifted the end of Emabelle’s raven hair, making it dance about her shoulders. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear she were as touched by magic as me.
She turned at the sound of my footsteps crunching across a carpet of fallen leaves. A smile danced across her lips.
“I couldn’t resist. I had to come out here and explore.” She turned back to look at the sky and take in the array of dusky colors. “I didn’t do much before. There was too much going on and it felt selfish.”
“That’s what happened to me. The land stole my heart. Probably before the prince.” I stood beside her.
“I can imagine that. Nothing could ever keep you away from magic. I’m glad you never listened.” She giggled.
“Me too.” I glanced at her. There was something more to the spark in her eyes than an appreciation of being here and having my father back. “What’s up? You have that look.”
Mischief brightened her eyes as she looked at me. “Maybe I’m wondering if my cousin and her husband will allow me to get married here at their home.”
I gasped. “Emabelle the answer is yes. But what are you saying? You’re going to run off with Phillipe and come here? Just so you know, I would be okay with that too.”
She chuckled. “You’re the best. I’m almost sad that we’re no longer running away. I kind of liked the intrigue. I had such a great plan and I even came up with the perfect alias. Susane. You know how your mother hates that name.”
Laughter burst out of me. “Emabelle what is going on?”
“It was supposed to happen last night. Phillipe came back the night before and he got his ship ready for us to sail away. He met me in the woods, helped me with my things and when we got to the docks, there was your mother waiting for us.”
My mouth fell open. “What? You’re kidding.”
“Nope. She said…” Emabelle paused, voice cracking with emotion, eyes fixed ahead, glassy with unshed tears. “She said, no daughter of hers was ever going to run off and get married without her.”
A wayward tear finally broke free and slid down her cheek. I choked up too.
My mother has always treated her as part of the family, but as Emabelle was the non-magical one she felt like an outsider. She called herself just the cousin awhile back. My mother referring to her as a daughter, her daughter, would have meant the world to Emabelle.
I slipped an arm around her shoulders. “She’s always treated you as such.”
“I know. But hearing her say it…I felt like I belonged. I felt like I really belonged.” She tapped my hand. “She gave Phillipe and I her blessing, told me she knew what we’d planned all along, and that we could get married whenever we wanted. She just wanted to be there for me.”
May the gods bless my mother. She really turned things around. “That makes me so happy.”
“Me too.”
“How about we get through this war, then we can plan the wedding?” Blessed Mother, please help us get through whatever comes our way.
“I’d like that. Of course, ask your husband first. Not sure what the King of Galaythia would think of me trapesing through his home with a bunch of guests he’s never met before.”
“He won’t mind.”
“Tell her I’d think it was exciting. And our doors are open to her whenever she pleases.” Wolfe spoke to my mind.
I gasped. He was back.
Through the bond I could feel him close.
I turned and there he was. Wolfe Nightblade stood in the distance by the back door, leaning against the wall. He was watching us. It looked as though he'd been there for a while.
And listening. We'd been well within earshot for a Fae.
I smiled, my skin tingling at the sight of him. Emabelle followed my gaze, grinning when her eyes fell on Wolfe.
“Go on. Go to him.” She chuckled, leaning into me playfully.
“He says he thinks the wedding would be exciting and our doors are open whenever you want.”
She laughed. “That bond-thing is amazing. Please tell him I said thanks.”
“I will.”
I gave her a quick hug then I set off to see my husband. It took me a few minutes to reach him. When I did, he pulled me into his arms and kissed me tenderly.
“I missed my queen,” he whispered over my lips.
I inched away and gazed up at him. “Queen. I feel…”
He pressed a finger to lips. “Perfect. You are perfect and everything a queen should be.”
I stared at him, taking in the firm look in his eyes. “Really?”
“Yes. Nothing is truer.”
“Thank you.”
He took my hand and kissed my knuckles. “Thank you, for standing by me.”
“Always.”
He planted another kiss on my wrist.
“What’s happening now?” I braced myself for more news of war. But the cunning smile he gave me told me we wouldn’t be speaking of such things tonight.
“The king wishes to take his queen to bed.”
I laughed. “Does he?”
“Yes. He plans to reacquaint himself with her body. Her taste. Her scent. Everything.”
“That sounds good.”
“Then lets’ go, Your Grace.”
My eyes snapped wide. He kissed me again before I had time to freak out about my new title. Then he portaled me to our bed.
A momentary escape. If only for tonight.