Chapter 34 #2
“Please, before you insist on this, think of what you’re saying,” I said, tears thick in my voice.
“Both you and the king’s council have spoken repeatedly of how important it is for fae to have free will.
My entire life has been based upon that belief.
You banished me from this kingdom to respect the free will of others.
You bestowed Timith and Gwenery with the burden of raising a powerful child, all so that they could teach me to respect the need to allow others’ free will.
An entirely evil plot was created by your very brother with me at the center, all so he could control fae’s free will.
Yet, in all of this, in all that’s taken place, has anyone ever considered my free will? ”
I paused, letting my words sink in. Both of their eyes widened, but before either could speak, I continued.
“I’ve proven time and time again that I will never exact my magic on those around me, not if I’m in control of it, so now, all I’m asking is for the same courtesy.
Give me free will. Let me choose how I want to lead my life.
Give me the same courtesy and respect that you’ve given countless others.
Please. That’s all I ask. Just give me the one thing that I’ve spent my life ensuring I give to everyone else around me. ”
My mother and father were both silent. They again exchanged one of their weighted looks, and I held my breath. Kole’s hand wrapped even tighter around mine, and we both waited for their answer.
It seemed to take forever before my father finally said, “She’s right, Oleander.
Especially after all she’s endured, I don’t have the heart to take this one request from her, not after her entire existence has been exactly as she’s stated—allowing others free will and respecting their individual choices.
She deserves that too. If nothing else, for all of the pain and suffering she’s endured, we should grant her this one wish even though that’s never been done before. ”
My mother’s shoulders slumped in relief, and she grinned broadly. “I was hoping you would say that.”
I jumped up from the couch, Kole joining me, and a burst of laughter spilled from my lips as my mate lifted me in a giant hug.
The next morning when Kole was to depart, he cupped my cheeks and gave me a long, tender kiss. I clung to him, hating that we would be parted but knowing that he loved his work as much as I’d loved mine, and there was no way I would ever ask him to give it up.
“You’ll be back tonight?” I nipped at his lips, getting a growl from him.
“Yes, every night this week. Next month may be another story, but I’m not required all hours of the day initially for this assignment, so I’ll still be warming your bed for the foreseeable future.”
My stomach curled, and I kissed him again. He growled in appreciation, and our bond strummed with contentment inside me.
I’ll still be contacting you during the day, just to check in with you, if that’s okay with you, I said silently into his mind.
Contacting him mentally was now as easy as breathing.
Our bond made my mental connections with him so smooth, so simple, that half the time I didn’t even have to think about it.
And we’d developed an emotional code to one another, so anytime he wanted me to reach out to him mentally, he pushed a feeling of restlessness toward me along our bond. That meant he wanted to talk.
You can contact me anytime you wish, Princess, he replied.
Finally pulling back, he took my hand. “Come, I’ll mistphase you to Ree, then I need to go.”
Kole mistphased us to Ree’s and my favorite café in the capital, just down the lane from the Whiteolf Academic Library. She was already there, seated at an outdoor table, a pot of tea and two cups in front of her while Siam sat on her knee.
Kole handed me off to her, then addressed my best friend. “Keep her company while I’m gone.”
Ree saluted him. “As you wish, Warrior Swordwielder. And take your time returning. I’m quite thrilled that I won’t have to share her with you anymore during the day.”
I snorted, and Kole shook his head but smiled. “I can see you’ll be in good hands while I’m gone.” He nodded toward Siam instead of Ree.
Ree pouted, acting put-out, but then she winked at him cheekily.
I couldn’t help but laugh. My mate and best friend had definitely developed an interesting dynamic over the past two months.
I sat beside Ree and reached for my galaxy-nephew, who reached for me just as fast. “Always. Now, go. You don’t want to be late on your first day back.”
Kole leaned down, and after one last lingering kiss, he departed in a blast of mistphasing magic, leaving me with my best friend.
Ree sighed dramatically. “Will you survive without him?”
I swatted at her playfully. “Stop, you were the same with Bennif when you two first met.”
She giggled. “Okay, okay, fair enough.”
Siam grabbed a crumb cake off the table and was soon making a mess all around us. Ree picked up the teapot and poured us each a cup. We were soon sipping tea and getting each other caught up on the events of the week as cool air swirled around us.
“So what are you going to do now?” she asked and handed Siam another cake. “With Kole gone every day and without a royal marriage looming over your head? What’s next?”
I glanced behind me at the Whiteolf Academic Library rising in the distance, at the place that I’d always dreamed of returning to. “I’m beginning a volunteer job at the library this afternoon.”
Her eyes widened. “Truly?”
I smiled cheekily. “My parents made it clear that as a princess, I’m not allowed to work, and since they’re going to let me marry Kole, I’m not going to press my luck in that aspect.
Not for at least another decade, that is.
But as it is, apparently, it’s considered very seemly for princesses to volunteer and spend their time helping the fae of their great kingdom, so as of today, I’m an official volunteer at the Whiteolf Academic Library, and it just so happens that Loolee’s assigned me to my former area of study. ”
Ree burst into laughter. “So you’re returning to your research?”
I laughed with her. “I am, as a volunteer, of course.”
She shook her head, still grinning. “Clever, Your Highness. Very clever.”
I cocked my head and jostled Siam some more. “But I have something else I’m planning to study too, something I’m curious to learn for myself.”
She arched an eyebrow and took another sip of her tea. “Oh? Do tell.”
“I’m going to see what I can find on Starsill, Goddess of Minds, specifically if she created celestial events that could pass along her power at one’s birth. Something tells me the goddess and I have a lot in common and that could very well be how I got my magic.”
Ree’s mouth dropped, then she laughed. “I can’t wait to hear about those findings.”
I laughed too, and when Siam’s giggles joined ours, the little one having no idea what caused our mirth but not wanting to miss out, our laughter joined his and could be heard through the streets, and our happiness felt in the stars.
Thank you so much for reading Keeper of Stars, the final book in Fae of Legends and Lore.