Epilogue
Neve added another woolen blanket to Beatrice’s nest in front of the roaring hearth.
The gray wolfhound stretched, blinking lazily and lifting her chin for Neve to scratch her ears and kiss her nose. Since arriving at the Klatos royal palace from Starlight Gardens, the hound had enjoyed a pampered life, dividing her time between Neve and Eleksi’s eastern wing suite and the sun-dappled courtyard near the old greenhouse.
The suite interior was designed and decorated with the sorceress in mind, with all-black granite surfaces, including pillars and fireplaces. The burgundy velvet furniture and bedding were accented with gold for flashes of brightness. The rooms were Neve’s sanctuary, not least of all because she lived in them with Eleksi.
“Little witch, if she’s any warmer, she’ll melt,” came his low, melodic voice behind her.
Neve tucked Beatrice in once more before rising and turning to face him. “The coronation festivities are likely to go into the night, and winter is almost upon us. I’ll not have her freezing in our absence.”
Beatrice yawned loudly, the hot orange glow of the fire warming every corner of the plush suite.
He bit his bottom lip to suppress a laugh. “I have never seen an animal less in danger of freezing, my love.”
Eleksi’s usual black garments had been replaced by navy blue attire and a gold-edged cloak. Gone was the spider ring on his thumb. Instead, he wore a golden pin on his chest to denote his recent appointment as Captain of the royal guard.
“Better to be safe than sorry,” she said with a prim nod.
He surveyed her appreciatively with his sharp silver gaze. “How do you become more beautiful with every passing day? Hour? Moment?”
Her face heated in a way that had naught to do with the raging fire.
For the coronation, she had chosen a flowing pewter and amethyst silk dress with fine lace accents. Her shiny midnight hair was curled and pinned, and upon her neck she wore Levissina’s garnet necklace.
Eleksi touched the center stone. “Jarin didn’t accept it when you tried to give it to him?”
“No. He insisted his mother would be very pleased for a sorceress to possess it. He enjoyed hearing the necklace saved me and Amelie in the dungeons, though. He said it was proof I should wear it. But if Riella and Jarin ever have a child, particularly a mage, I vow to pass the necklace on. There is something to be said for blood.”
“We all inherit something, whether we like it or not,” he murmured. “I inherited only the best things, for they led me to you.”
Neve raised her brows. “You wouldn’t change the past, if you could?”
“Oh, I would. But I can’t. If I’d known what awaited me in the end though, perhaps I would not have been so dark-tempered all the time.”
She put her hands on his chest. “This is not the end. Quite the contrary.” The sorceress reached out and ran her fingertips down his angular face. “I love you, Eleksi.”
“I love you too, Neve.”
The intense sweetness of his love expanded from his heart, enveloping her. To feel his love in her soul as she heard his declaration created a bond between them unlike any other.
He leaned down and trailed kisses along her jawline to her earlobe. Putting his expansive hands around her waist, he pulled her body flush against him. After hovering over her face for a moment, drinking in the sight of her, he pressed his lips to hers.
The ebony grandfather clock chimed, the long, low gongs signaling the imminent beginning of the ceremony.
With a small groan, Neve pulled back fractionally. “We best depart.”
“I suppose,” he murmured, cradling the back of her neck, making her sigh with pleasure.
“It wouldn’t do to leave the king and queen without you, their chief protector,” she said.
With one last kiss, him inhaling her scent, he reluctantly released her.
“After you,” he said while holding the door open and offering his arm to her.
Together, they descended the wide white-marble staircase to the temple. Mid-afternoon sunshine filtered through stained glass windows, splashing colorful patterns of light on the grand portraits.
The palace’s atmosphere had altered since the deaths of Leonid and Meliohr, as had Klatos as a whole. It was as if the city had been infused with new life. People were excited to usher in the rightful king, and better days.
Klatos had been partying for a week already. The celebrations would surely reach fever pitch late that afternoon, when Davron and Amelie presented themselves outside to greet the crowd. Eleksi would be at their side, of course, watching for threats.
“Do you suppose King Reynard will retaliate for Meliohr’s death?” asked Neve as she and Eleksi passed through a vestibule. “Even though the person responsible for her death is deceased himself.”
Those precious few moments she’d had with Leonid repeated in her head often. As brief as their connection had been, her father had known her. Whatever else happened in her life, she understood who she was and where she came from.
It was more closure than some people were given, so she considered it a blessing. A bittersweet blessing, perhaps, but a blessing all the same. Neve’s mother had wept for a long time when her daughter relayed his last words.
Eleksi made a nonchalant sound in his throat. “Where there is power, there will always be danger. If Reynard is smart, he will stay away. If he is not smart, we will dispense with him and anyone he sends.” He smiled slyly at Neve. “You know what else we have?”
“What?”
“You. May the gods have mercy on Reynard if he is fool enough to tangle with another powerful sorceress. You’d think he would have learned his lesson from Levissina. We shall see.”
Neve reddened. “I’ll endeavor to learn from Levissina’s feats, but also her mistakes. I’ll never fall out with Starlight Gardens, for one.”
“You’ve grown closer to Fouzia.”
“I have.” She chuckled. “Truth be told, I believe she enjoys visiting the palace to help with my practice and studies. She blossoms here. As brilliant as the High Magus is, he’s as frustratingly opaque as ever. It must be challenging at times for her to work with him. I swear, the whole kingdom could fall down around him and he would simply stand back and observe. I ought to have known it was Fouzia, not him, who painted the protection spell under my bed.”
“She was able to guess your parentage, as the High Magus did?”
Neve nodded. “One of the skills I’m learning from her. It’s a long road, but rewarding. I still have so much to discover.”
They joined the streams of people entering the temple.
Dressed in their best finery, royalty was in attendance from every kingdom except Morktland. Velandia had sent an enormous delegation, including Amelie’s sister and brothers. A benefit of Davron and Amelie’s union was stronger ties between Zermes and Velandia.
“Are you missing Starlight Gardens?” asked Eleksi as they walked down the golden aisle of the temple. “I know you visit, but do you not miss the peace?”
“I miss the night sky, but I can practice magic very well here in the palace. Davron has seen that I have everything I need. Besides, you are here. And I am getting to know my cousin and his wife.” She smiled. “It’s lovely. For the first time in my life I’m close to people, in the true way.”
The temple was lit with thousands of candles. The telltale crimson hood of the High Magus was visible in the front rows, alongside a dozen black hoods. Neve wondered if Caryn was attending. She hadn’t seen him since the day at the parlor when he’d led Meliohr’s men to her. If he asked for her forgiveness, she would give it to him, but she’d not seek him out.
As Riella walked by on Jarin’s arm, she beamed and waved at Neve and Eleksi. Jarin nodded in greeting. The siren wore an intricately beaded blue dress, and Jarin cut a fine figure in black and bronze brocade.
“I’m glad they were able to return for the ceremony,” said Neve. “Their exploits on the seas are fast becoming the makings of legend, ever since Davron began funding their assaults on slavers.”
“Coin well spent.”
The sorceress nibbled her lip. “I wonder if they discovered anything about the shipment of unidentified mineral transported from the Klatos docks in the days before Meliohr’s death. The destination was a mystery, but one I hoped they could solve.”
Eleksi squeezed her hand. “Even if it was Melr, it was the last shipment. Davron will never allow the mines to be operational.”
Neve gazed at the high windows. In the distance, mountain peaks were capped with fresh snow. Autumn was taking its last breaths, preparing to yield to the icy embrace of winter. A change of season always invigorated the sorceress, and she shivered with excitement at the thought of what might come next.
Trumpets sounded, signaling the start of the ceremony. Every person in the temple stood and faced the tall oaken doors at the beginning of the aisle. Pages in uniforms opened them.
Davron and Amelie entered, arm in arm, navy velvet cloaks trailing on the thick carpet.
A decade, thought Neve. That was how long it took for the rightful heir to reclaim his place. For much of that time, he must’ve felt like he’d never return at all.
Amelie’s throat and wrists sparkled with diamonds, but that was nothing compared to the radiance of her spirit. The Velandian’s aura was golden and vibrant, filling the space around her like sunshine. The pair sat on their carved thrones on the dais, bathed in candlelight, and the ceremony began.
As Davron was crowned, his scarred visage solemn with dignity, Neve glimpsed the souls watching over him from the Beyond like spectral firelights. The emanations merged and weaved, soared and spiraled. He was held by the people who had loved him in this life, and would be waiting for him when he eventually crossed over.
One in particular drifted close to Neve. She often sensed the same gentle soul when she lay on the roof of her tower on clear nights, gazing at the stars and giving them names.