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Norivun and Nuwin grabbed both of us in a hug simultaneously until the room was overflowing with tears of laughter, shouts of joy, and endless illusions dancing across our vision.
And in that moment, it truly hit me what I’d done. The queen was free—the spell created by the warlock that had been placed on her many winters ago was finally broken. I’d burned it away, using my divine light, just as God Zorifel had ripped the warlock’s ugly magic from me with his masterful touch.
And the same feeling that had engulfed me when I’d seen my parents whole and alive, hiding within the refuge on the Cliffs of Sarum, filled me anew. A sense of peace flowed through me, settling something deep inside me.
No matter what happened from here, no matter what fate the gods deemed necessary for me, I wouldhave this. This moment. This heartbeat of hope and love. This victory.
I saved the queen.
And right now, I was bursting with happiness.
Norivun and Nuwinwere hesitant to leave their mother’s side, but an hour had passed since Nuwin had burst into his brother’s chambers. The council meeting was already well underway, and each moment that we delayed was only another moment for King Novakin to prepare.
“We must go, but we’ll come back later today.” Norivun gave his mother another long hug.
“I’ll stay at her side.” Nuwin positioned himself by the queen. “If Father returns, he’ll have to get through me before he hurts her again. I’m done letting him abuse her, even if it means he kills me instead.”
“Nuwin,” the queen said, her hand laying on his shoulder. “I willneverlet him hurt you. I’m not weak anymore.”
“You’ve suffered enough, Mother. I’m just ashamed that I didn’t take a stand against him sooner.” Nuwin’s wings rippled, and a new expression morphed upon his face, an expression I’d never seen before. A savageness emerged, a mask his brother often wore, but the younger prince had never appeared so formidable.
“I shall stay as well.” Matron Olsander’srotund figure stood tall. Squaring her shoulders, she added, “If the king returns, I will bear witness to any abuse he tries to inflict on her, and if he’s been hiding this kind of despicable behavior for winters—as the rumors have been stating—then he’s unlikely to strike her if I refuse to leave her side.”
“Thank you.” Norivun dipped his head at her and Nuwin, then hugged his mother again. “I’ve never been happier.”
The queen smiled, her lips curving in genuine excitement. “I feel wonderful, just like I used to feel, and all because of your darling mate.”
Her finger traced along my jaw, and her psychic affinity brushed against my Shield again. I lowered it once more.
“Now, my darling Rising Queen, go claim your throne.”
Norivun,his four guards, and I mistphased to outside the council chambers, appearing just shy of the arched doors. Two guards stood at attendance, one on each side. When the crown prince and I materialized only feet away from them, their wings flexed, and they reached for their swords.
But Haxil and Sandus already had blades to their throats before the guards’ hands hit their sword hilts.
“If you want to keep your tongue, you’ll leave that weapon where it is,” Sandus hissed.
“Same goes for you.” Haxil shoved his guard against the wall and arched an eyebrow. “Ryder?”
Ryder withdrew a thin rope from his leggings, and in a blurred move, both guards were bound by their wrists and ankles. Nish pulled several cloths from his pockets and gagged their mouths. When completed, a light mist of magic fell over them, and they disappeared under the prince’s illusion.
Stunned, my jaw dropped. “Considering how quickly that just happened, I’m guessing this is something you’ve all done before?”
The prince smirked, and a dark light entered his eyes. “What did I say to you all of those months ago, that it’s not my fault if you’re unaware of my talents?”
I snorted despite what waited for us beyond the doors ahead.
“Let’s just hope your talents keep all of us in one piece, my prince.” I nodded toward the chambers. “So, are we just going to burst through them and confront the council?”
“Do you see any other way?” my mate replied.
I shook my head, and he bowed, then held out his arm, gesturing to the door. “My queen? After you.”
CHAPTER 24 - NORIVUN
Igathered a gust of my air affinity and blew it through the council doors. The frame splintered at the hinges, and the doors crashed open against the stone walls within.
“He does enjoy making an entrance, doesn’t he?” Nish snickered under his breath.
