Page 214 of Tale of the Heart Queen

“I’ve always wanted to open a bookstore,” Jareth says. “One with lots of rare editions and a coffee shop where people can come and read for hours.”

I smile, remembering how often I’d find him with his nose buried in a book.

“What about you?” I ask Rhyle.

“I bought a very swish flat in the Twenty Fourth,” he answers with a sparkle in his eyes. “I plan to do a lot of ‘entertaining’ with all that gold the king gave us.” He grins, and we all laugh. It’s amazing how easy it feels.

“Sounds perfect,” I say as we all return to watching the workers for another moment. Then I clap them both on the shoulders.

“I better get back to the palace,” I say. “The council meeting is starting soon.”

“Are you staying?” Jareth asks. “With Erevan?”

“I don’t think so,” I say. “I just need to see him settled, and then I’ll decide what to do next.”

“I understand,” he says.

“I’ll see you both around.”

“You’ve got an open invite to my flat,” Rhyle calls as I start to leave.

I spin around to face him. “I’ll remember that.”

“What are you going to do with the empty space?” he asks, gesturing to the Priestess of Payne.

I cock my head and look at the building before I bow to them both.

“Build a rose garden.”

Then I turn on my heel and walk away.

I arrive back at the palace and make my way to the council chambers, where I find everyone gathered. Erevan stands at the head of the table with his hands behind his back and gives me a quick nod as I enter. His blond hair is tied back, and he wears a simple but well-made brown jacket and breeches. His posture is straight and sure, and he already looks like a king. The Mirror chose well this time. I knew it from the very start.

Though I don’t strictly belong here, Erevan asked if I’d support him since I did spend a few weeks acting as Aphelion’s ruler. I’m so glad he’s finally accepted the role. I would have had to dig myself a grave and hide in it if I’d had to keep it up much longer.

As everyone settles in, Erevan clears his throat and launches into the speech he prepared. He implores them to return the rights of the low fae, and he speaks with such passion and such determination that I watch as the council members’ eyes clear and their expressions open. He literally changes their minds on the spot. Erevan might have thought he’d have little power as Aphelion’s king, but I think what it gave him was the confidence to approach his changes in a way that would work with the council and not against them.

When he’s done, he’s breathing heavily, but I don’t know how anyone could look at him and not believe he was always the best person for this role. If they continue to harbor any animosity towards him and his actions to help the low fae, then they’re all fools.

“Time for the vote?” he asks tentatively.

Several looks are shared around the table as his gaze flicks to me.

I wait with my breath held as the first hand rises in agreement. It belongs to none other than General Cornelius Heulfryn, head of the Twenty-Fourth District. He informed me that after he insisted his daughter start volunteering in the hopes of turning her into a better person, she found her passion for helping the needy children of The Umbra. Apparently, she’s working on a proposal for Erevan to build a new school and orphanage. I have no doubt he’ll approve it as soon as it crosses his desk.

Erevan and Cornelius exchange a look, and it’s then I know Erevan will do just fine.

I watch as more hands lift around the circle.

Erevan needs eighteen votes to amend the laws.

In the end, all twenty-four hands rise and stay there.

Erevan looks at me, and we both breathe a sigh of relief. What a road we traveled to get here.

The next day, we gather outside the palace where I first exposed Atlas and his lies. I recall the faces of everyone around us and the way Tyr looked when everyone turned his way, realizing the truth. I rub my chest, feeling that ache that bound me to my king and nearly killed me.

I stand next to Erevan on a raised platform as he holds up a paper reading out the rules that will govern a new and better Aphelion than the one we knew. After the vote to free the low fae, he took the opportunity to make a few more changes.