Peering over my shoulder, I was met with the gazes of our dearest friends—my rebellion-leading sister and kind-hearted brother, a stable hand turned soldier, my aide, who was now High Witch, and my mate’s two fearless co-seconds. The Velyran Rebels turned the noble court of the rightful queen.
My stare lifted to Nox a final time, where his golden eyes were locked on me intensely. My usual smirk tipped my lips, right before I menacingly whispered, “Ignystae.”
Without hesitation, my wyvern shot a blast of flames high into the sky above, earning awe-like noises from those surrounding us. And then, with a powerful roar, Nox shot into the sky, launching himself off the battlement.
The castle’s gates opened toward the city, and we all began the walk to our new beginning as my wyvern’s shadowloomed over us from above.
The celebrations for the new queen and king of Velyra lasted days, with endless parties, food, and mischief of all sorts—my favorite things.
When the festivities came to a close, and the lords returned to their cities and ports, life in Isla resumed to how it had always been under my father’s reign. However, the time had come for decisions regarding the rest of the realm.
Although we understood that changing everyone's beliefs and habits would take time, we started by spreading word throughout Velyra, emphasizing the importance of diversity and developing a sense of community between humans and fae in every city, port, and village. This started with the joining of our armies.
Standing in the living room of our new chambers, I looked over my court—where half of them would now live in the Valley as we remained in Isla.
I caught tears slipping from Avery’s lower lashes with the tip of my finger while she stared at me beneath Gage’s shadow as he hovered close to her—a constant guardian of the former princess and her now fiancé.
A giggle slipped from me at her expense, and she rolled her eyes at me, swatting at my fingers as she tried to wipe her tears.
“Youdoknow that I can see you tomorrow, Avery.” I leaned in closer to her. “That’s why I keep the High Witch happy.” I winked.
Veli scoffed and crossed her arms from beside us. “I heard that.”
I shrugged. “Among other reasons.”
“I know,” my sister answered with a laugh. “I will just miss you.”
“Shh,” Gage said. “We need to get out of here before they realize placing us in charge of Alaia was a grave mistake.”
“You think you’re the only one in charge?” Zaela taunted from across the room. “You’re not theonlynewly appointed commander, Gage.”
Two bickering co-seconds turned co-commanders of Velyra’s northern armies. We wanted more than anything for them to remain right here at our sides with us, but someone had to oversee the north—and it was their true home.
They would, once again, work to rebuild Ellecaster and clear the passage that was blocked to the valley from its devastation. Bruhn had even offered the assistance of the Sylis creatures, provided Iofficiallynamed him Lord of the Wood, as he had introduced himself so long ago, and as I had promised when seeking his aid.
Finn and Landon would stay here in Isla, where they had always been. Jace planned to appoint Landon as a general in the king’s army and couldn’t wait to surprise him with the promotion. And Finnian, with Veli’s assistance, planned to reopen the House of Healers in the city.
My brother had even promised to build a monument to the once great healer, Ophelia, who had birthed the queen of the realm and sacrificed her life for it. My heart swelled to the point where I thought it would burst when he told me his plan.
Memorials for both the fallen king and his loyal guard were also planned to be built within the city square, right where the rebellion began.
Avery hugged our brother tightly, swinging him as she held him in a death grip. “Avery, I will see you next Wednesday!” he screeched, trying to pull from her grasp.
The night we had chosen for family dinner and game night—where wine would be drank and responsibilities put on hold.
“Well, excuse me for already missing the one person who has been attached to my hip since his birth, Finnian,” Avery scolded, and my hand flew to my lips to cover my laugh.
Gage clapped Finn and Landon on their shoulders and then practically shoved them out of the way as he barreled across the short distance to Jace, nearly tackling him to the ground.
He placed the king of the realm in a headlock and playfully punched him in the gut. “I’m going to miss you, you not-so-boring-anymore bastard.”
Jace’s laugh echoed through the room, his joy and slight annoyance thrumming down the bond as he swatted at his best friend.
Gage released him with a classic shove toward the ground and then stormed in my direction, wrapping me in a bear hug. “Queen of the Realm!” He swung me around in his arms.
Once he settled and loosened his grip, I looked up at him and pinched his cheek. “And soon-to-be sister-in-law.” I winked.
“Cadoria!” he shouted over his shoulder at Jace. “You are no longer the luckiest man in the realm.” He turned to him. “It is I who gets to not only marry a Valderre but also be the queen’s in-law.”
