Confusion scrunches up my nose as I tilt my head to the side.
“Luna’s sister resides in the Otherworld. And her mate chose to stay with her.”
Lachlan chuckles and the sound is so arresting. I squeeze him tighter to me.
His arms wrap around me, holding me as tightly. “I love ye,” he whispers.
I kiss his face, and then kiss it again. “I love you, too.”
Iwalk hand in hand with Eira, across the glittering sand of Toraigh.My father’s home. Sea dragons breach the surface, spouting seawater through their snouts. Water throws rainbows into the sky.
The smell of the ocean soothes half my soul. My cream dress flaps in the ocean breeze and the crown of golden feathers rests lightly upon my brow. Balthasar moves along behind us like an ever present shadow.
“Your father liked to sneak out of Toraigh through hidden bridges. One night, he stumbled upon one to the human realm and that’s where he found your mother.”
We stop together, gazing at the water as it crashes against the rocks. “She was swimming in a lake in Norway. He didn’t realize what she was, but fell in love with her the moment he cast his eyes upon her. They started seeing each other, but when she learnedwhohe was, she disappeared.” Eira shakes her head as a small smile parts her lips.
Balthasar chimes in. “But he tracked her down.‘In a quest for love’, he had said. When he finally found her, he had proven his worth. Which was good because the mating bond snapped into place and they were bound the next day.”
It’s my turn to smile, as that sounds exactly like something my parents would do.
Eira continues on, her black hair floating up around her in the salty breeze. “Naturally, everyone here was furious. Your father was the heir to our throne,”—she gestures to the castle behind us—“your mother to Idirhalla. The realms should not be unified. So our family, being the monsters they were, tried to kill him, and when that didn’t work, they went after your mother. Your parents slipped between realms for a while, trying to decipher the prophecy that their joiningcouldlead to. They eventually settled down in the human realm and conceived you. While we set about taking over the throne here.” She gestures to herself and Balthasar. “We had to do a lot of culling, but we succeeded.” She heaves a weary sigh, closing her eyes. “It was too late. Your parents had been murdered and you—you were gone already.”
We walk further down the shore, Balthasar now walking in step beside us. Their familiar gait, and the color of their eyes, soothes the jagged edge I have felt inside me after the death of my parents. The swelling of waves against the shore falls in sync with our steps. I feel at home here.
“There has never been a love like the ones your parents shared.Until now.I see it—with you and Lachlan. True mates are an exquisite thing to behold. Your parents would have been proud that you’ll share your life with your equal.”
A sad smile graces my face, but my eyes shine brightly as I look out at my father’s home. I squeeze her hand. “I’m glad I found you both.”
Eira smiles at me, my father’s eyes reflecting from her face. “I’m glad we found each other.”
Balthasar grumbles something about sentimental females, but rests a broad hand on my shoulder. Happiness crinkles the corners of his eyes. “Now, let’s get you back in time for your ceremony. I’m sure your other aunt isn’t pleased that we’ve whisked you away.”
The Great Hall is draped in garlands of ribbons and wildflowers. Everyone is bedecked in their finest clothes. Councilors from each district line the aisle that stretches across the throne room and to the dais where my mother’s—my—throne sits.
Odessa grips my hands in hers, bringing my attention back to her as strains of a violin play. A resplendent smile stretches across her face. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
I laugh, and the outpouring of happiness in my heart warms my entire body. I nod, biting my lip. “It’s about time.”
She smiles a knowing smile at me and hands me a bouquet of poppies.
“I’m so proud of you,” she murmurs, leaning in to place a kiss on my cheek. My mother’s eyes peer at me from her face.
And between her, Eira, and Balthasar, I feel as if my parents are here with me.
“I know you wish your mother was here,” she whispers, and forces a swallow. “Just know she’d be so proud of you.”
I nod, feeling my crown bob with the movement.
Odessa walks behind me and fluffs out the long lace train of my ceremony gown before she heads to her seat.
It’s sweltering in the Great Hall and I close my eyes, willing my fae magic,the wind,into the throne room.
A crisp breeze floats through the hall, bringing with it the smell of cedar and rain—of home.
Mathilda and Mina walk up beside me. Their sage green gowns hug their curves before spilling out around their feet. Mina reaches me first, brushing a hand on my shoulder.
“You look beautiful,” she whispers.
