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In other words, nothing had changed, but Erwan didn’t say that part aloud.
“Help me sit up,” his mom said to Valdis and Nadiv. When they didn’t immediately obey, she sighed. “It will not change anything. Please.”
Erwan’s two youngest brothers assisted her, lifted her into an upright position, put the back of the cot up, and placed extra pillows to support her.
“Bring me my grandchildren so I might bless them.”
Was it Erwan’s imagination, or was his mom’s voice already getting weaker?
Jermon gestured at his mates to come over with the hatchlings. They took them out of the slings and placed them next to their mom. The little babies woke up, but instead of displaying their usual crazy energy, they were subdued, allowing Erwan’s mom to gather them in her left arm and hold them against her.
“They’re beautiful,” she croaked. “So precious.”
Yitro came up behind Erwan and handed him Ainle. Oh, he had already changed in the few days since Erwan had seen him last. How was that possible? “Hey, buddy,” Erwan cooed. He pressed a kiss on his soft baby cheek. “I missed you.”
He handed his son to his mom, who took him in her right arm. She now had both her arms full, holding her five grandchildren. “Emma, you too.”
No, it hadn’t been Erwan’s imagination. Her voice was getting weaker.
Wait. Why was she asking for Emma? He studied the woman he considered his sister-in-law, and he knew. Five little eggs, their sparks bright and strong, greeted him from her womb. Tears filled his eyes again. Gods, what a wonderful surprise.
Emma rested her hand on the shoulder of Erwan’s mom, who let out a sigh. “Yes. Now we are complete. My boys, put your hands on me.”
They were connected, all of them, fire blazing through them unlike anything Erwan had ever experienced. If the fire was so strong, the magic so powerful, why wasn’t it enough to save his mom?
“My life has come to an end. Gods, if I have found favor in your eyes, hear my plea. May the White Dragon bring justice and honor, restoring the alliance of old. May he find the courage and wisdom to sacrifice what must be given up to gain what must be won. May the gods favor his sons and give them the mates to change the course of history.”
She sounded stronger now, but the fire inside her dwindled, and Erwan’s throat clenched.
“May the Doyle clan shine a beacon so brightly it will draw in dragons from across the world. May it be blessed and bountiful, bringing joy and freedom to all who join. As I will, so mote it be.”
Erwan was crying, his sobs mixed with those of his brothers and Emma. His mom blinked as a smile spread across her face. “I love you all so very much. Being your mother was my calling, and my work is done. You make me proud.”
“Mom…” Valdis cried out. “Mom, please…”
“‘Tis my time, my child. But fear not. My fire will live on in all of you.” She took a deep breath. “Before my fire dies and my magic with it, I command it into my children and my children’s children.”
Then she breathed out, and her fire was gone.
Queen Grian of the Doyles had taken her last flight into the eternal realm.
Chapter Twenty
Oliver had never attended a funeral. With the Murphys, omegas had been wrapped in a sheet and dumped into a burning fire, while alphas got the elaborate altars with all the ceremonies—but omegas weren’t invited. So he hadn’t been sure what to expect, and the solemn, dignified procession as they carried the queen’s body to her final resting place touched him deeply. Her body would be burned, as was the custom among dragons, her ashes left undisturbed where they fell.
Wasn’t it interesting he could grieve someone he’d never met? But he was. He only needed to see the intense pain on the faces of her four sons to know how loved she had been. Of course Oliver knew about the stories, how she had protected Erwan from the wrath and black magic of his father and uncle. If nothing else, she deserved to be honored for that.
She’d died surrounded by her kids and grandkids, by the clan and both packs. Erwan and his brothers had decided they wanted to perform the ceremony the same day. There was no reason to wait. Everyone was there except Rhene, which was undoubtedly hard for Erwan but couldn’t be helped. They had no way of knowing when he’d be back, so it made little sense to wait for him to return.
Cedric had been drained from his magic by the long teleportation journey, and he couldn’t do another one to retrieve Rhene. The omega dragon was on bed rest in the clinic, and Enar had told him not to lift a finger for a few days and let himself get spoiled a little.
Erwan and his brothers had closed their mom’s eyes and kissed her goodbye, and then they had straightened her clothes and made sure she looked like the queen she had been. Emma had dashed outside and gathered a bouquet of wildflowers, beautifully tied together with a bright-red ribbon, which she’d placed between the queen’s hands.
She looked so peaceful and serene, almost happy. Hers had been a good death, a welcome one, and hopefully, that would make it easier for her sons and daughter-in-law to bear.
They carried her together, her body still resting on the cot she had lain on, which seemed fitting. Four sons, each carrying one corner in perfect symmetry. Both packs followed her, Oliver walking between Adar and Delton. Even though neither of them spoke, their quiet presence brought Oliver comfort.
He’d expected her to find her final resting place on the Hightower ranch, but instead, they made the trek over to the Hayes land. Apparently, there was a special spot where others had been buried, an area that held power. By the time they reached it, darkness was falling, a full moon already visible in the sky like a pale disk.
