Page 213 of Tale of the Heart Queen

We wait as the crowd draws closer. Those at the front note the crown on my head, and they all start dropping to their knees.

“The magic!” someone cries. “It’s back!”

“The queen! She lives!”

“We are saved!

“We can return home!”

Etienne and Rhiannon emerge out of the crowd with their hands linked.

They stop in front of me and also fall to their knees.

“Long live our queen,” Rhiannon says before everyone else picks up the chant, repeating it over and over.

And if all of this weren’t enough, the sky starts to fill with lightning bugs. They flit around us, tiny balls of glowing light dancing in the sky. I share a smile with Nadir, who stands to my left, and then one with Willow and Tristan, who stand on my other side.

I look at the three most important people in my life.

At the ruined queendom behind us and the devastation of the land that surrounds us.

I inhale the scent of a million roses on a shaky breath.

“So what do we do now?” I ask.

My brother wraps an arm around my shoulders and sweeps an arm out.

“We finally live,” he says. “And then we build it all again.”

CHAPTER 75

GABRIEL

APHELION—ONE MONTH LATER

Erevan has finally taken his place as king. Though I understand his reservations, he also understood this was his duty. If he truly believed in helping the people of Aphelion, then he would have to take the crown destined for him.

We held the ascension shortly after our return, and it was a spectacle worthy of the occasion. Everyone in the kingdom clamored to see their new ruler and fall at his feet. He was beloved by so many and yet had many bridges to cross.

But it was the celebration the people needed. After all the lies and deceit, after the loss and heartache, we all needed something to believe in. Aphelion’s new golden Sun King is just the thing. I know he will succeed where Tyr and Atlas failed. I’ve always known he would be great, even if he had to be convinced of it.

Today, I stand outside the Priestess of Payne flanked by my brothers Jareth and Rhyle. We wear plain clothing, simple tunics and pants, no longer forced to bear the golden armor that marked us as servants to our kingdom. While the wings will always make us stand out, at least we have this freedom.

Lor told me what happened when she tricked Cloris into revealing her knowledge about the mate bond. She said she left her alive, just barely, but I have it on good authority that Cloris succumbed to her injuries, leaving this plane once and for all.

It’s certainly no loss, and I hope she’s rotting in the Underworld, where she belongs.

“What are you planning to do with it?” Jareth asks.

“We’re tearing it down,” I answer. I want no more reminders of the priestess or of the horrors she brought to Aphelion. It was her scheming and lies that nearly duped Atlas into killing Tyr.

The only positive, I suppose, is that she also brought Lor into our lives.

A line of workers approaches the boulevard carrying shovels and pickaxes. Behind them rolls more equipment required for the demolition. Erevan was more than generous in providing whatever I’d need.

“Bring it down!” I yell at them. I’ve already relocated the staff to new and better establishments, and there’s no reason left to keep this place standing. We watch as the workers swarm over the site as the sound of hammers and saws fills the air. I wanted it done quickly and employed everyone I could get my hands on.

“What are you doing next?” I ask my brothers. They both consider the question for a moment.