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By the time I reached the altar, tears streamed down my cheeks, and the brightest smile a bride could ever have graced my lips.

Irsha bowed to Reynard, a gesture that surprised me as well as the king.

‘Roksana Regnav chooses to walk her life beside you. The Dark Brotherhood relinquishes any hold on her mark, but some ties are thicker than blood. Guard her well, King Reynard, or those who walk the night will find a way to your heart.’

‘Irsha!’ I snapped because my boneheaded Blade picked the worst possible moment to threaten the king.

‘As is their right,’ Rey answered, unfazed, before turning to me and extending his hand. ‘Ready, Viper?’

I nodded, staring daggers at them both, barely listening as the priest of Makosh recited the handfasting rites and bound our hands together. Once he’d finished, Rey raised my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles.

‘The day I met you, the gods took my eye. I thought I’d lost so much, but now… now I know it was a promise.’ The pure devotion in his words took my breath away. I bit my lip so hard a bead of blood formed.

‘I’m sorry—’ I started, but he shook his head.

‘No. Never apologise. Not for that.’ He turned to the crowd and pressed our joined hands to his chest. ‘Dagome, welcome my wife; kneel for your queen; bow to your saviour.’

I opened my mouth to stop him. It was too much, but one by one, the high nobles of Dagome and ordinary folk alike dropped to their knees with hands pressed to their hearts.

The priest untied our hands, then Rey moved to the altar and picked up a gold circlet nearly identical to the one he wore, the Vodnik’s emerald shining in the middle instead of a sapphire.

He stood behind me, tall and imposing, with his subjects on their knees. Then he lowered the crown onto my head, and a wave of power rolled over the land. The scent of honeysuckle filled the air as fireflies glowed around us, while my dragon’s roar sent cascading flames into the sky.

‘Please stand!’ I said, not even trying to hide my trembling voice.

The night exploded with cheers and congratulations. In the far corner of the field, the first fire blazed, then another and another until a chain of light surrounded the meadow.

The Kupala Night celebrations had begun, and no one could stop them now. Those inside the area for official guests brought greetings and gifts, whilst everyone else mingled with the merry crowd.

Cinared shuffled closer, offering me his paw so I could sit while the guests came forward to greet their new queen.

I lost track of time as conversation and mead were shared, but when a familiar tune filled the air, Rey turned towards me with a mischievous smile.

‘Do you remember our first dance in the House of Lillies? You collared me with your braid. Now I’ve exalted you with my crown. Time to celebrate.’

Before I could protest, he hauled me to my feet and swept me into the dancing circle. Irsha already held a laughing Lily, and when the dance started, I swear the two men competed to throw their partners higher.

I was out of breath before the melody finished, holding onto the crown that lay crooked on my head. Movement in the corner of my eye caught my attention—Tova was leaving.

Rey frowned when I dropped everything and rushed after the dwarf.

I should’ve let him go, but my heart was being ripped apart.

‘Tova.’ I stopped, panting.

He turned, watching me fight for breath, his expression unreadable. Then he opened his arms, and with a sob I dropped to my knees and locked him in a tight embrace.

‘Did you start to remember?’ I asked around the lump in my throat.

‘No, but I found his notes, the other me. He loved you so much. So, before I leave, I wanted to give you my gift—one last embrace with him,’ he said, stroking my back while I clung to his caftan, weeping my goodbye.

When my whispers faded, Tova released me.

‘I tried to remember.’ He dipped his head as a shadow of old pain crossed his features.

‘I know. Thank you, Master Orenson. Live well for him and for me, but most especially, for you.’ I forced a smile and sat back on my haunches, watching him leave.

A chill breeze raised a shiver along my skin, but I didn’t look away until Rey found me and scooped me up into his arms.

‘Come, my love. Cin will take us home,’ he breathed, kissing my forehead.

I nodded, and we left the rowdy crowd, heading to the patient dragon.

A warm air current lifted us high above the city. Echoes of the music lingered while the world below twinkled like a thousand stars.

Cin didn’t rush. The slow, steady beat of his wings calmed my thoughts. My tears dried, and in the quiet rush of wind, I heard them. The voices of my people, pleading, praising, and praying, fuelled the Aether that revived a desolate land.

They called me The Songstress; they called me Life, but in this sliver of time, I was Sanika, the Queen of Dagome, and I had one last promise to uphold.

‘Cin, Rey. Let’s go home, and if it’s a boy, we’ll name him Tova.’