Chapter 39 #2
“Maybe you should. And maybe my answer will stay the same.”
Behind us, Queen Taynia gives a small cough. “Talvie. Don’t be rash. This…arrangement was one thing. I understand why you did it. But you can’t marry a Wilder Fae. Such things aren’t done.”
It’s a gut punch of reality.
Then, from the back, someone calls out, “Maybe they should be!”
A ripple of approval runs through the townsfolk. That little wave of support means everything. They haven’t just accepted me; they’re accepting Talvie, pointy ears and all, and accepting us, together.
Inhaling deeply, I turn to my queen. “I know it’s selfish, but I’d do anything to be worthy of Talvie. On top of being a Wild One, I know I’m only an illusionist, and I don’t deserve her. But if she’ll have me, I’ll spend my life trying to earn her faith in me.”
Taynia’s lips press thin. “Talvie has a duty to the Hinterlands as its future queen. She can’t just run off with an acting troupe.”
This time it really does sting. Of course it was stupid, but I let myself hope, and I nearly forgot it was all just a pretty illusion. A dream.
“Excuse me,” Talvie cuts in, “but I’m standing right here.
And Lark, someone very smart once told me that I don’t have to earn anything from him.
You are worthy because you’re you, Lark.
There is nothing you can do or say to earn my faith, because you have it already.
There is no one in all the Hinterlands more worthy than you. ”
“Talvie, you have to admit, I’m not the right man for a princess.”
“You’re the right one for me,” she says fiercely. “The only one for me. And I’m the only one who gets to decide that. Not you, and certainly not you,” she adds, pointing at Taynia.
The queen blinks, not expecting the pushback. “As I told Lark earlier, a princess and a Wilder Fae together would be folly.”
Her stepdaughter glares back. Their relationship is precarious, balancing on thin ice after the shattered curses and years of strain.
Before Talvie can open her mouth to protest, Taynia raises her hand. “Folly, perhaps…” She appears to be weighing her next move. Slowly, she smooths her skirts and straightens, her voice cool. “But then, love is often foolish. If this is your decision—”
“It is,” Talvie snaps.
“Then I suppose we’d better see about the future of these childlings. I’m not about to leave the fate of my grandchildren to some backwoods court.”
That earns her a sharp glance from Daria, who clears her throat. “With all due respect to the throne, Your Majesty, this is a civil matter. And in this room, on this day, under our current laws, I am the authority here.”
Taynia holds her gaze. “Weren’t you chasing after my Head Huntsman like a lunatic last night?”
Daria chokes. “Preposterous. I have never pursued anyone aside from my wife, and besides, this is not about me. Nor, might I add, is it about you. Or should I ask after the whereabouts of my mule?”
I don’t know where to look. The formidable women exchange daggers with their eyes, each daring the other to back off first.
Queen Taynia pulls herself to her full height. “I have no knowledge of your mule, dear madam. And as you seem a wise sort, I trust you will make the right decision in this matter.”
“Thank you.” Daria sniffs. “I will.”
Another look passes between them. I’m fairly certain it’s a mutually agreed, 'we shall never speak of this again.' I squeeze Talvie’s hand. She squeezes back. Neither of us laughs.
The air still crackles, but Daria turns to the rest of the board with crisp efficiency. “Let’s return to the matter at hand.”
Talvie’s grip tightens on mine. The queen folds her hands, settling into her seat as if this is a formality she’s chosen to watch play out. The room falls silent, all eyes on Daria, and my heartbeat pounds in my ears.
This is it. One ruling decides whether the family we’ve built stays together or scatters like ash. The only thing keeping me upright is the sturdy grip on my hand. If the worst happens, I might not have to go back to wandering alone.
Daria’s gaze sweeps the hall. “We’ve heard your testimony, reviewed the Case Sentry’s report, and considered the youngling’s wishes. Now it falls on this board to decide what’s best for them, a decision we do not take lightly.”
She starts with a few more questions for me. I answer, my head and heart spinning with every word.
Then she speaks to the kids. “Are you happy there?” “Do you feel safe?” “Do you want to stay?”
Their answers are quick and sure.
Helkki smirks when it’s her turn. “Where else can I live with the best prank partner in the Hinterlands?” I’m not sure it’s helpful, but it brings a small smile to a few of the sentries’ faces.
The twins nod in unison. “We’re not going anywhere.”
Aili crosses her arms and dares the sentries to ask her again after she says, “Yes.”
With Mikael, Daria pauses. “You come of age soon. We could declare you an adult now, if you’d prefer to move on. You don’t have to be included in this custody petition.”
“I appreciate that, ma’am,” he says quietly, “but I want to be part of this family. I want to be Lark’s. Please.”
From the choked back sob beside me, that hit Talvie as hard as it hit me.
Daria has evidently heard enough, because she leans back in her chair.
“As to the matter of the joint petition filed with the claim of an intended marriage, this board finds that claim is no longer relevant. We disregard that application and base our decision solely on the merits of Lark Hyveri’s petition for sole permanent guardianship.”
The air thins again. No more illusions. No ruse.
Just me.
Fear sits cold in my gut while the board confers. Finally, they sit up straight, and I inhale.
“It is my duty and honor as Head Sentry for this board, on behalf of the Department of Childling and Pixie Sentries, to issue a verdict in this petition. By unanimous decision of the board, this Sentry awards sole custody of these seven wards to Lark Hyveri. As to whether he is fit to serve as their permanent guardian, the answer is a resounding yes.”
Her words hit me like a bell rung deep in my chest. Is this—did I just hear what I think I heard?
“Furthermore, this board would like to extend condolences on the loss of the orphanage you all called home and of its former headmaster, Frederik Rutte. We would also like to thank you, Lark, for providing these young ones with a safe, stable family since that time. It is our firm belief that their best future is with you.”
The kids turn to look at me. Happy murmurs start around the room. Someone squeezes my shoulder from behind. My brain feels fuzzy.
“One last thing,” Daria adds, almost as an afterthought, “Included with this verdict is a form allowing guardianship to extend to your spouse, should you marry. File it when and if you wish. Or never. I want to be clear that this ruling does not rest on any intended marriage, but on you, and you alone. Do you understand?”
Dumbly, I nod, because I understand the words she’s saying even if I can scarcely believe them.
“Good.” Daria smiles. “Congratulations, Is?.”
Just like that? I’m their father?
The room erupts. Helkki whoops, Katja gives a relieved laugh, and the twins grab anyone within reach for back-slapping hugs. The townsfolk crowd in with congratulations, and for a dizzy, impossible moment, I realize: they judged me. Only me.
And they decided I was enough.
Talvie’s winter-fresh scent fills my nose as she fills my arms, and I hold on tight.
“I can’t believe it. I’m their Is?,” I whisper in awe.
She looks me in the eye. “You have been for a while already, Lark. But I’m glad you know it now, too.”
Sentry Niemi comes over and squeaks when I surprise him with a big hug. “Thank you.”
“Oh, well, yes. Just doing my job, but I’m certainly glad it worked out.” Niemi’s nose twitches, and I smile after him as he leaves in his neatly pressed grey cloak. I wonder if he ever lets loose and has actual fun. I’m going to miss that little muskrat face.
Finally, the crowd thins, and I spy Daria making her way over. She shed the fancy robe and is back in her usual innkeeper garb.
“I don’t know how to thank you,” I say.
“No need,” she replies. “And before you doubt yourself, Lark, there was no conflict just because I know you and Val.” She runs a hand through her hair.
“Rather, Princess Talvie. Now that came as a bit of a shock, I admit, but not the relationship between you two. I already had no question in my mind that you’re the right choice for those kids, and you are for her, too.
It’s been a pleasure watching you both realize how good you are together. ”
Her knowing smile sticks with me as her silver hair disappears out the door. It’s going to take some time to accept that I could be with someone like Talvie for real, but I’m committed to the journey.
Ludo holds the door for his boss and then waits for us too. “Hey,” he whispers as we pass, “any idea why I found Daria locked in our pantry this morning?”
Laughing, I walk out of the town hall with Talvie’s hand in mine, but not before catching a final word from Queen Taynia.
“Beron, be a darling and make sure that if anyone in this town ever breathes a word of my…predicament with that mule, that it be the last breath they ever take.”
Ah, well. Good to know the Ice Queen still has her edge.