Page 169 of Tale of the Heart Queen

I clasp Nadir’s hand tighter, and the magic swirls as our surroundings continue to shake. I feel the sting of pebbles shearing from above.

Anemone’s voice grows louder and louder, and then our magic twists around and engulfs us in a swelling wave. This looks so much like the vision in the Woodlands Staff before my grandparents ruined everything, and I wonder if we’ve made a mistake.

Fear seizes my chest, my ribs growing tight. I want to stop this, but it’s too late, and then a white light flashes in my eyes before everything goes dark.

CHAPTER 59

It takes a few moments to realize that I’m here and still whole. I blink, clearing my vision, to find Nadir standing in front of me, healthy and whole. I choke out a sob.

The cavern is fine, and everyone is okay. Nadir is okay.

“Did it work?” I ask, but at the same moment, I realize that question is pointless because I feel it. I feel him. My pulse beats in its natural rhythm, but it echoes as though I have two hearts living inside me now.

“It worked,” Anemone says. Sweat runs down her temples, and she wipes her forehead with the back of her hand.

“For a moment there, I thought—” I say.

“I know,” she replies. “I admit I had my doubts, but we did it. Do you feel each other’s magic?”

Nadir and I look at one another, and I hold out my hand as I filter out a tendril of green light. I let out a squeak of delight as it twists around the cavern. Perhaps the best part is that I have complete control over it.

“What about you?” I ask Nadir. Red lightning dances between his fingertips as he also holds up his hand, and I shake my head at the sheer joy of this moment. I thread my fingers against his, and then we press our foreheads together.

“Now we are truly one,” Nadir whispers, and my eyes close as a tear slips down my cheek. Some part of me thought we’d never get here.

“How do you feel?” I ask.

“Honestly? Lighter.”

He looks at his sister and walks over, handing her the Torch. She accepts it warily as he drops to a knee and presses his forehead to the back of her hand. Then he peers up and says, “Hail to the future queen of The Aurora.”

Amya laughs nervously. “Really?”

Nadir stands up and pulls her in for a hug. “You’ll make such a wonderful queen.”

A chorus of cheers circles around the room as everyone else offers their congratulations, including an extra-long hug from Willow. I hug my brother and sister and Amya and Mael, who are now officially my family, even though they’ve been that way for a while now.

Cyan and Cedar congratulate us with handshakes and hugs. “When you have the time, I’d love to host you both in my forest retreat,” Cedar says. “It’s beautiful, lost deep in the woods, and the perfect spot for some alone time.”

“That would be lovely,” I say. If we ever get that chance.

“Congratulations,” Bronte says warmly, and even Linden gives us both a firm nod.

“Come on,” Amya says. “Let’s have a drink.”

At the back of the cavern, they’ve set up another table with some bottles of wine and a bit of food. I’m overcome by the effort they all went to for the two of us.

We all gather, toasting the day and not thinking too hard about what comes next. The map that I found in Rion’s room waits for us. We’ll have tonight to celebrate, and then tomorrow, it will be time to confront what I suspect will be the final test. The moment that saves us or breaks us forever.

“Oh no, where’s the Armata?” Willow frowns, peering at the table. “Elswyth sent it. She said it’s an incredibly rare bottle and perfect for such an occasion. I must have left it with the boxes when we brought everything in.”

She backs up. “I’ll go grab it. Be right back.”

She bounds away and disappears out of the cavern. I smile at her retreating form, feeling so lucky to have her.

Tristan comes over and wraps an arm around my shoulders. He looks at Nadir, and the two study one another. Finally, Tristan holds out a hand for Nadir, who pauses before he accepts it.

“I know you and I have had our differences, but I’m trying to move past them,” Tristan says. “My sister has always been a good judge of character.”