Page 209 of Tale of the Heart Queen

“I’m ready,” he says, looking at me.

“Wait,” I call. I stand up, run across the room, and throw my arms around his neck. He stumbles from my weight but catches himself as he squeezes me back.

“Thank you,” I say. “Thank you for offering yourself.”

“It is not a burden,” he answers, a gentle hand settling on my back. “It will be my honor to stand in this place and allow you this life, Heart Queen. It was over for me. Perhaps I can find peace in this next one.”

I pull back and nod before he turns to the Empyrium. “Take me then.”

“It is done,” they say, and then in a flash of soft white light, our surroundings melt away.

A moment later, we all stand amongst the ruins of Heart, blinking at one another.

I sway on my feet, then fall to my knees and press my forehead to the hard stone, savoring the feel of solid ground and the unmistakable scent of roses.

Finally.

I am home.

CHAPTER 74

LOR

QUEENDOM OF HEART

When I’ve caught my breath, I look up. Nadir stands before me with a small smile on his face. Sunlight gilds his dark hair, and his eyes spark with emerald and violet. He’s so beautiful it makes my throat ache. I remember the first time I saw him in Aphelion and how my world changed in that moment. I could never have imagined the journey we would travel.

And now he’s mine forever.

“We did it,” I say softly.

“You did it. And I’m so fucking proud of you.”

I choke out a sob as he takes my hand and pulls me up.

“I couldn’t have done any of it without you.”

He clasps my chin in his hand. “We make a pretty good team.”

“We really do,” I say as I break down again. We embrace, clinging to one another as I cry against the curve of his throat. I let the tears begin to heal me. I let them find a place in my heart and allow the first wounds of my spirit to finally start closing over. I have so much trauma to overcome, but now I can finally face it, and I won’t do it alone. I will never be alone again.

Finally, we pull apart to find everyone watching us.

“Thank you for your help,” I say. “All of you. I don’t know how I can ever thank you enough.”

Cedar and Elswyth, hand in hand, are the first to approach and bow their heads. “Welcome home, Heart Queen,” Cedar says. “I never thought I’d see the day.”

That stirs everyone from their shock and the tension around the circle breaks. We all burst into laughter and smiles and hugs. It’s a moment for celebration.

We didn’t just save the magic.

We didn’t just save Heart.

We saved Ouranos from Herric. It was a battle we didn’t even know we were fighting until it was almost too late.

Gabriel strides over and wraps an arm around me, tugging me close.

“I’m happy for you, Final Tribute,” he says.