NINETY-SIX
WILLOW
As Caz and I drift through the corridors, the golden sunlight of Vanora causes our brooches to spark.
Pinned into our capes and custom made by Maeve (who decided to name us The Imperials now that we have Regal abilities), they’re like badges of honor.
I have no idea where she got that name from, but she insisted that we needed a title that made us sound equally as important as The Regals.
The brooches are a swirl of black and silver with a cursive I in the center. She made two more for Minka and Maia that we’re to give to them the next time we see them.
Though Caz is this so-called Imperial now, he hasn’t changed a bit. He still wears his caps and coats (though he had to have them fitted now that he’s, like, six inches taller), and smoking blooms is still his favorite pastime. He smiles down at me, squeezing my hand as we follow Alora’s guards to the throne room.
When we enter, I spot Alora first. Next to her is Valden who wears a green tunic and leather pants, and off in the distance is Devlin dressed in brown leather armor. He’s decided to assist Valden and the Turi Tribe now. Both have made an agreement to rebuild Ripple Hills and coexist.
I had no doubts about Alora surviving, though she took a few scars with her. Apparently it took her three days to replenish her energy.
As for Valden, well, he didn’t get off so easily. He now wears an eyepatch to cover his left eye.
Devlin came out of the war nearly unscathed. The only show that he was involved is the deep, red scar dragging from his temple to his chin.
“You’re late,” Alora quips, sauntering toward us in an ivory gown. “The people are waiting for the new leaders of Vakeeli to speak.”
“Are they?” Caz asks, as if bored. “I hope they weren’t expecting a show.”
“Of course not. This gathering is a good idea. Almost everyone from all territories is here and waiting in the courts to hear you.”
“I still don’t think the look suits you,” Devlin says, appearing at Alora’s side. He cracks a smile, and Caz chuckles.
“I believe you might be a little jealous there, Devlin,” my fiancé says.
“Jealous?” he scoffs. “Absolutely fucking not.”
“How are things going with Ripple Hills?” I ask.
“Better.” He shrugs. “Wouldn’t be happening had you two not restored the land. With the Turi Tribe and the surviving Whisper Grovians assisting, things are moving along pretty quickly. A few of the Rippies who ran away during my father’s reign for richer lives in other territories are returning. More Ripple blood is good. We need it.” He drops his gaze a bit, and I note the sadness, despite the hardness of his face. “It’ll take some time for them to trust me, but Ripple will stand again.”
“Indeed, it will,” Valden slips in, meeting at Alora’s side.
“The only way you’ll get there is with respect,” Caz informs Devlin. “No more of your showboating, all right? Everyone in Vakeeli will be allies now, which means communication is key. You keep your people in line, and we all do the same. Right?” Caz eyes Alora and Valden.
“Right,” they reply in unison.
“Good.”
“How’s the baby, Willow?” Alora inquires.
“The baby is great.” I rub my bloated belly. “I’m pretty sure I’m feeling flutters now. I think because my senses are heightened?”
“Do you really?” Alora’s eyes brighten. “That must be an incredible feeling.”
“It is.”
“Right. Let’s get this over with, shall we?” Caz says.
“Of course.” Alora claps her hands, and a few of her servants rush to a velvety gold curtain ahead to draw it open. A terrace appears, the marble railing curved and the columns wrapped with ivy.
Caz takes my hand and leads the way to the terrace behind Alora. When she takes a step up the marble stoop, cheers erupt.
She waves as we join her, and that’s when the sea of people come into view, waving their hands and cheering. Some ululate while others toss up their territory flags, letting them flap in the wind.
I grin, peering up at Caz to see him completely shocked by the outcome. “Did you expect this many people?”
“No,” he says.
“You shouldn’t be surprised.” Alora glances at him. “The people have wanted a savior in Vakeeli since the beginning of time. Now we have two .”
“Plus Hassha’s twins,” I add. “When they’re of age, of course.”
“Even better.” Alora is handed a speakerphone and greets the crowd. They cheer back and she laughs, allowing them to whoop and holler for a few seconds more.
When they settle again, she gestures to Caz.
“We have been given a gift from The Regals. A man and woman who have it in their best interests to protect our world. They are our champions, and we will honor them. Please send up your loudest of merriments for Caspian and Willow! Monarch and Lady of Blackwater, and our Imperials !”
This time, the cheers are like thunder rolling in waves. Alora gives Caz a slight bow of the head before stepping down. When it’s just us, Caz presses his lips, tossing a modest wave at the crowd.
“That was quite the warm welcome,” Caz bellows. He doesn’t need a speakerphone. He allows his voice to carry across for all to hear. “I know the War of Selah was frightening. There were so many losses, and at one point, it seemed we wouldn’t make it, but this entire world came together and fought hard to protect what they loved, and it is my truest belief that that is how life should be. We are all meant to be acquaintances—to be people who can look to each other for help and guidance, not bitterness and war. We were not created to fight and bicker, kill and hurt…but we did that anyway. For a very long time too.
“I was one of those people who drowned themselves in the violence. I thought there was no light, no hope. But after thinking about it all and understanding the true history of Vakeeli, I realize that was exactly what Selah wanted me to feel. She wanted us to hate each other. She wanted us to feel like we could only thrive in chaos and violence. For millenniums, we have fed into that agenda, and it fueled her. But today, I say no more. No more will we stand against each other. We will become a united world. This time,” he says, scanning the crowd, “we’ll do things right. Vakeeli is ours now, and it is here to stay!”
A cacophony of applause spreads through the courts as Caz offers a hand to me, meeting my eyes.
Fly with me.
I can’t fight my smile.
When he rises in the air, I do too, and as we float above the crowd, I can’t believe this is where we are.
This world was once so dark and hopeless. Everyone seemed doomed, and death was a friend most expected to show up at their doorsteps.
That’s changed so much within the last two weeks. I can feel the shift in energy. Those whispers of darkness have disappeared, and minds much are clearer. People are kinder.
They’re fueled with hope.
Even from here, as we float and wave, I can see their faith in us .
There is a new ruler now, and he’s going to make sure this world feeds on fruits of harmony rather than rotten strips of mayhem.
This beautiful man will protect us, no matter what.
And, damn, am I lucky to have him as a mate.