Chapter Fifteen

You can’t choose your parents. But you can choose where you stash them.

The figure which had popped into the room, crashing into Kade—the noise I’d heard—was almost blasted by my power. I only managed to halt my attack at the last second.

“Violet!” I whisper shouted. “What are you doing in here? I almost killed you.”

She shook her head. “Not a chance. You weren’t even close.”

I narrowed my eyes on her and she just lifted one brow in my direction, letting out a huff. “Okay, so I might have kind of … putalittletrackingspellonyou,” she said in one huge rush, slowing as she tried to reassure me. “Just an alert so I could find you at all times, no matter where you were. I sensed you the moment you stepped into Manhattan, and I followed your energy here.”

I blinked at her a few times. “You and I need to have a serious talk about boundaries.”

She shrugged. “You’re probably right. I seem to have developed some codependency issues, but we should save that psych eval for another time.”

If she was spelling me so she could have a direct line to me at all times, then codependency issues might be a small understatement. But, honestly, whatever my best friend needed to do at this point to be okay was fine with me. I could put up with it, no matter what.

“Just stay out of our bedroom,” Kade said with a grin, “and there won’t be a problem.”

She just winked at him, but didn’t give an affirmative to that.

I stepped closer, the flickering light of the mecca stone casting shadows across Violet’s features. “Are you here alone? Do you have any intel which could help us?”

“I came alone, but the others will follow — now that they know you’re back. We’ve been waiting for you both to return before we attack. Baladar and Calista will bring the shifters here. They’ve had a few hundred stationed in Baladar’s loft.” She looked over her shoulder toward the hall that led from the room, turning back to me. “We’re hoping with your help we can take out his weapon. It’s really hindering our ability to best him. You need to know that everyone in this building is compromised. Even if they were loyal to you before, Luca has some sort of power that can manipulate their minds. Change loyalties. Brainwash.”

“We heard,” I muttered. Why did the bad guys always get the best toys?

Violet eyed me. “Well, I mean, you have a weapon too, right? Something to counteract him? The dark staff?”

She looked me up and down, turning to Kade. “Right?”

I shook my head. “We don’t have anything like that—”

Kade interrupted me before I could finish. “We have a very powerful weapon actually.”

Violet’s eyes got very wide, and she was bouncing on her feet with both hands out in the typical gimme-gimme pose. Kade reached over and pushed me gently into my friend’s arms.

“Arianna is the weapon,” he said.

Violet let out a low whoop, her eyes practically dancing. “I knew it, I knew it from the first day I saw you. You had so much mecca hanging around you. I kept waiting for you to do something with it, but you never did, so I assumed you just had a powerful aura…” She stepped back and looked at me with a specific sort of concentration and her mouth fell into a perfect oval shape. “I … I didn’t notice because of the energy from the mecca stone but … you’ve changed. You kinda look the same as the stone now, strength-wise.”

I wasn’t surprised by this, I could still feel their pull, the stones’ magic flowing through me, from the Otherworld and Earth. There was no way Luca could best me. I would not let him.

Arianna…

A whisper filled the room, strong and commanding, and completely unmistakable. The Red Queen. I spun around, facing the stone. Kade and Violet moved to stand on either side of me, and there was no doubting — from the look on their faces — that they had heard it too.

“I’m here!” I pushed my words across the mecca with ease. I couldn’t believe how simple it was to use the power now. All those months of training, all the times the easiest of tasks felt impossible … now that I had broken through my mental block — the block that told me there was a limit to the level of energy I could control — everything was different.

There was silence for a beat, and then, Daughter, I need your help. Please do not leave me here for eternity. I crave an end. Living forever isn’t as I thought it would be.

The stone pulsed with the words, purple light flashing like a disco ball around the secret room. I couldn’t see the Red Queen, but her presence was strong.

“She sounds so weak,” Violet whispered to me.

My heart pinched; Violet was right. And the Red Queen was anything but weak. I hadn’t forgotten my promise to free her, but it had been pushed into my “deal with later pile.” But now that I had accepted my role as a literal queen of mecca, it should be an easy task. Right?

Focusing my inner sight, I sifted through the mecca energies, through all the lines of power, until I felt her presence, the line that tied her soul to the stone, preventing the final release. I pulled, trying to extract her from the grasp of mecca, but she slipped through my grasp like water in a sieve.

I felt her despair. I was hoping your powers would override the spell Sabina did. Unfortunately, it looks as if there is only one out clause for me. One life for another. I cannot leave unless I am replaced.

“Will you continue to grow weaker the longer you are in the mecca?” I said, focusing on her energy.

There was a brief pause and then: Yes. I will eventually fade into almost nothing. But a small part of my consciousness will forever be trapped. No release. No rebirth.

One life for another. I could not sentence another to the same fate she had … except for Luca. This had all started with him — with his need for power, his greedy and evil ways. He had killed the Red Queen, betraying the love and trust she had in him. It was time I showed him what karma had in store.

“I will get you out,” I told my mother. “I have an idea.” I felt a sliver of her relief, before I turned to my friends. “We need to find Luca, now!” I growled.

Kade wore his warrior expression again, but there was a true twinge of pride in his eyes. He was staring at me with a look even more adoring than he had given that staff. It was nice to see that. Before I could say anything … or maybe climb my mate and kiss the hell out of him, Violet poofed out of the room. By the time I had swung to stare at the spot she’d disappeared from, she was back, the shoulder of her dress torn.

“Good news, I found Luca in the war room. Bad news, it was really crowded in there and the guards almost got me. They know we’re here.”

“Good.” I grinned, all focus returning to me.

Climbing will have to wait for later, mate. Kade let those words drift into my mind, and a burst of anticipation exploded in my belly. Later could not get here soon enough.

Pulling mecca power into me, I headed for the door. “Violet, please make a portal for Blaine and the Summer Court army. They will be heading to Rowan, but I need them here. Also, make sure Baladar is on his way. It’s time. I am kicking these squatters out.”

Kade unsheathed his sword and stepped aside. I no longer had a sword; my ice one disappeared in the Otherworld. Luckily, I didn’t exactly need a weapon anymore.

I walked with purpose, fast and without care for being silent. Kade followed me out of the room just as Violet popped in right behind us.

“That was fast,” I said.

My best friend grinned. “The basement is filling with soldiers as we speak.”

We opened the door that led to the outer hallway. Two guards were standing there. Two of my guards. Shifters.

They raised their weapons at me, but I blasted them with mecca, knocking them back into the wall. My aim had been to use enough mecca to break the spell Luca had on them, but not enough to do any real damage.

I let out a relieved breath when they blinked rapidly, looking around, confused.

“Your Highness…” one mumbled as he stared at me in shock, before bowing low.

“All is well,” I said swiftly. “Go to the basement and join the others,” I ordered, my tone firm but not unkind.

They both nodded, clarity returning to their previously blank gazes. In a flash they were up, running toward the staircase.

I was trying not to grow overconfident, but it was a relief that the spells from Luca’s weapon were as easy to break as everything else I’d tried. And I intended to break his weapon.

Along with his neck.

We traversed the halls quickly. I blasted guards as we went, and as more of my people came back to me, the more powerful my center of magic felt.

As we turned down the hall that led to the war room, I nearly collided with one of Luca’s fae guards. Throwing out a ball of mecca, I struck the guard and he flew five feet into the air, slamming his head on the wall, and slumped to the ground.

“What is—?” Luca stepped out, and upon seeing me held up his staff, ready to emit its powers.

A staff. How original.

I didn’t give him the chance, thrusting a mixture of mecca and fae magic straight at him and his little weapon. Kade collided with a guard behind me — Violet was blasting one on my left —both of them keeping the emerging fae from touching me while I fought their prince. The staff flew out of Luca’s hand, skidding across the tiles. I was really getting sick and tired of these freaking evil staffs. I never wanted to see another one for as long as I lived.

In calm strides, I crossed to my fallen fae. Without his little weapon, he looked weak and sniveling as he stared up at me.

“You have a debt to repay to my mother,” I informed him. Using great force, I slapped out with my energy, shoving Luca against the wall. His head cracked with a solid thump, and he slumped into unconsciousness.

I turned to Violet. “Can you please transport him to the mecca crystal room.”

She nodded, grabbing his wrist, and in a blink they were both gone.

His guards had filed out into the hall now and were about to attack. I raised my hands, and let every ounce of mecca that was in my body flow out in a purple light show. It filled the room, and was so huge and spectacular, that it worked in halting the attack.

“The winter queen is dead!” I said, my voice was loud, strong, and brimming with fury. “As is the dark fae, and soon Luca will be also. I am the interim winter queen until I find a replacement, which means you all have a choice to make. Fight me and die … or pledge your allegiance and I’ll let you go home to live in a new, kinder winter realm.”

The men and women froze, most with hardened looks, but there were more than a few who looked relieved to hear of their queen’s death. I’m sure they felt it, the same way shifters did, and my confirmation was enough for them to truly believe it. Those soldiers fell to their knees, like the weight of their relief was so much they literally couldn’t stand anymore. Heads fell into hands, and cries and sobs started to echo around. The winter fae still standing looked at each other, like they were trying to find a leader, like they needed someone to tell them what to do. One of the men near the front line had more decorative clothing, with large jewels inlaid along his cloak. He looked, and held himself, like a commander, or someone of great importance.

He did not hesitate. “Yield to the queen,” the commander ordered. This time no one hesitated. These were a browbeaten people, used to having their will stripped from them.

I nodded. “My army is waiting in the basement for my command. If you make one move against me or my people, I won’t hesitate to kill all of you.”

The commander nodded, laying down his sword.

I turned to Kade. “I’m going to see if I can figure out how to trade a life for a life.”

He grinned at me and straightened, arms crossed over his chest. “I will keep an eye on our people, make sure the fae don’t decide they have a little more warring in them.”

I stood on tiptoes, and he still had to lower his head so our lips could touch.

I love you, we both whispered through our bond at the same time.

He let me go. Turning back to the room, his body shifted into his half bear, growing larger and even more powerful. My wolf howled in my chest, as she always did when Kade stood like that. So strong. So solid.

As I walked away, I marveled at the way he let me go, barely even a sliver of worry in our bond. I loved Kade with every part of my being; he was my other heart, my soul mate, but one of the reasons I adored him so much was that he respected me as an equal. He respected my power, my position as queen. Who would have thought that a king and queen could coexist with so little ego between them? Especially for two alpha animals. Our bond was a miracle, and I needed to thank the gods for it every single day.

But first … I needed to rid myself of one parent, and free another.

As I was striding toward the stone room, a familiar energy hit me. My throat got tight as the white wolf bounded into sight. Finn and I stopped and stared at each other for many long moments, drinking each other in. We had never been separated so much as we had since I took the crown. So many things keeping us apart. So many fights and battles. It was only as I stood there, his familiar presence before me, that I truly realized how much I needed him. How much I missed him.

I missed you too, Ari. May we never be parted again.

I ran for him as fast as I could, diving the last few feet to wrap my arms around the giant beast — a beast I loved more than life. The soul of my wolf inside rose up and collided with the soul of our familiar. Finn and I lifted our heads back and howled together, a long, happy sound. A sound of pack.

When we had sated our bond — for the moment — I rose and said to him, “I’m ready … to free my mother … to punish Luca. I know I can do this.”

I heard a chuckle from my left. I turned to find Calista and Baladar standing there. “Nice to see my years of affirmation training has not left you.”

I didn’t reply, choosing instead to cross the few feet between us and throw my arms around her. “I’ve been looking for you,” Calista said into the side of my face. “I needed to see with my own eyes that you were okay. Kade told us where you were.”

Clearly our army had arrived, and I knew now that the fae would never turn on us. They were too outnumbered.

I pulled back to see her face better. “I remember everything you’ve taught me. I’m just going now to finish the job.” Another one of her lessons: finish what you start.

She gave me a pat on the arm and then Baladar bowed his head. With a wave, the pair turned and returned the way they had come.

I turned in the opposite direction, Finn at my side. We entered the mecca stone room to see that Violet had magically confined Luca up against the mecca stone, his hands bound by purple bands of magic. It seemed to be overwhelming him.

He was awake and furious.

“I should have killed you when I had the chance,” he spat at Violet.

Those words sent surges of white hot anger through me. He was one of Violet’s tormenters. Something I had forgotten whilst trying to repress what my best friend had gone through.

Violet glared at him with hatred. He had been instrumental in causing her great suffering in the Winter Court. I wanted her here to bear witness.

I crouched down to meet his eyes. “Did you ever love her?”

His eyes sharpened. “Who?” I could tell he really had no idea who I was talking about, which was an answer in itself.

Me, the Red Queen’s voice filtered into the room, and unlike last time, the weakness was not obvious.

Lucas’s face went slack, losing all color as his body trembled a little. He looked left and right as if trying to see where she was speaking from. I was pretty sure he was muttering the word “Impossible,” but I couldn’t quite hear him. Leaning forward, I placed one hand on the crystal, taking care not to touch him. I focused my energy there, magnifying the Red Queen’s essence until she was a transparent projection standing before him.

He gaped open-mouthed at the vision of her. Aside from Arianna, you were the only person I ever loved, she said to him, her face and voice devoid of all emotion.

The arrogant fae stared back at her, recovering somewhat from the shock, enough to say, “There is no room for love in our lives. We have duty, power, and responsibility. Love is for the weak.”

“When I was alive, I believed the same thing,” the Red Queen told him. “But I was wrong. It’s only in death that I realized how much I did love you and Arianna. I missed years with her. It is my greatest regret.”

The pain in my chest was almost unbearable, but I didn’t crumble.

“All the years you separated us kept me alive,” I told her. “You shouldn’t regret that.” I hated that Luca was here, witnessing these final intimate moments with my mother.

I pointed to him and wrapped mecca around his throat, tightening it to the point he could only just gasp for breath. “You should never have come to our world. This is my city. My mecca. You will now be punished how I see fit.”

His eyes were bulging as I continued to constrict his air supply. Without his mother, or his staff, he was weak. Useless. Reaching down to my ankle, I pulled forth one of the fae blades I had stashed there. I was only about ten inches long, but it would be enough to do the job.

I placed the serrated tip over his heart. “May you never find the peaceful rest and rebirth of death. May you never walk in our worlds again. You are not fit for the royal blood you were borne. Goodbye, Luca.”

I leaned all of my weight forward and skewered the bastard, burying my blade to the hilt. With a gasp, he took his final breath and I felt the mecca pulse. Using that pulse of magic, I pulled on the Red Queen’s energy, and at the same time pushed on Luca’s, pushing his soul further into the stone. Somehow the power knew what to do; knew I wanted to exchange one for another, and unlike last time when I tried to remove my mother, this time she did not slip through my grasp.

No! I heard Luca’s shout echo across the room at the same time I heard my mother’s voice.

Goodbye, Luca. I hope you spend eternity seeking forgiveness.

A bright light flared inside of the room before me. I saw a tunnel, and at the end was the Red Queen’s familiar, the white lynx I believed I saw in Central Park after her death. Then it was gone, as if it was a mirage. I gasped. When the queen trapped herself in the mecca, her familiar must have become a spectral ghost, walking in between the two worlds. Now they were being reunited, as they should.

A blast of icy air caressed my skin, bringing with it her scent, lavender and rose.

I’m so proud of you, daughter. Thank you. I pray that you can forgive my times of cruelty. Her voice whispered in my ear and I could no longer keep my emotions inside. Tears spilled over my cheeks as a small sob escaped me. I had Calista, so I had a true mother, but it felt like I had missed so much with the Red Queen. So much we could have had together.

“Wait!” I wanted to tell her that I forgave her, that I understood everything she sacrificed for me. That I understood she did the best she could. But before I could say anything more, her scent, and the icy wind … was gone.

Violet reached her arms around me as Finn lay his head in my lap, and they both held me tightly, mourning right along with me.

You are the strongest woman I know. You have lost a lot, but you will always have me. Kade’s strong voice and energy caressed me, adding his strength to that my friends were filling me with.

I was blessed. I knew that. I would never forget it. But still, I grieved.

Thirty seconds later, Kade burst into the room, bringing with him the scent of forest and home. Finn stood and Violet released me as Kade bent over and placed one arm under my knees and one behind my back, picking me up. We both needed the closeness. I rested my head on his shoulder and breathed him in.

We’ve done the hard part. Now with a little more work we can have our happily ever after. Kade’s words seeped into me, soothing my soul.

He set me down gingerly and placed his forehead on mine. “Are you up for dealing with the Winter Court?” he asked.

I sighed. I wanted more than anything to just abandon all responsibility and go see my little sister, but I couldn’t leave the Winter Court without a leader.

“Yes,” I told him, before straightening my back and smoothing out my shirt. “What about King Samson and his people? Do they know the threat is neutralized?”

Kade nodded. “Yes, they are already returning home. They will wait for word from you, but for now they give their thanks.”

“Blaine and Bianca?” And whomever Kade’s guard was — his name was escaping me in my dazed state.

“Home. Safe. Already ordering the shifters back to their packs and dens. Reinstating guards.”

That was good. My friends and dominants would keep an eye on this world while I went to make sure the Otherworld wasn’t falling apart. I really hoped Shelley and Kian were faring well there, because I didn’t have it in me for another battle.

Taking a deep breath, I sought out the mecca stone in the Winter Court. Creating another portal, we stepped out into the icy lands. Well, into the room that housed the stone anyway. Violet, Finn, Kade, and I walked through the circular stone room, which had white wood floorboards, and was empty except for a purple, faceted stone. The main winter stone I was guessing. I was very careful not to touch it, remembering Dante’s words about the way their leaders were chosen.

We skirted the edges, exiting through a simple wooden door. Outside of the room were two guards, lazing back against the wall, looking half asleep. The moment we stepped out, they straightened with wide eyes, drawing their weapons. My winter powers froze their feet to the spot before they could attack.

“Thank you for your service,” I said. “I’m Arianna, granddaughter of the winter queen.” Their eyes went even wider and I recognized the complete and total panic there. So I hurried on. “Rest assured, I am nothing like my kin. I’m only here to ensure there is a just leader left in this court. Will you continue to guard this room for me? Until there is a new leader?”

Both of them nodded and I released their feet fully from the ice magic. The two male fae dropped to their knees, white furs spilling out around them.

“It is our honor,” one of them said in a thick accent.

I gave them both a wave, turning to join my family. We walked through a small stretch of woods that opened up into a courtyard of the dark stone castle. As we moved toward the moat that ran around the castle, a huge billow of smoke caught my attention.

“Kade…” I said slowly.

He followed my line of sight and then the four of us started to run. We crossed over the bridge, heading toward the main part of the town, where their markets had been held. The acrid scent of smoke was strong in the air, and it was starting to get hot. Which was more than a little noticeable in the Winter Court.

When the huge fire finally came into view, I was alarmed at the sight of papers, books, and other things stacked high in the center of the flames. Kade’s hand was resting on his sword, preparing for whatever battle was next, but then we both saw Shelley and Kian at the front of the blaze. They looked fine. In fact, everyone here looked well. I would even go as far as to say there was a sense of joy in the crowd of fae tossing objects into the fire. One woman clutched a painting of the winter queen.

“Ari! Kade!” Shelley gave a shout of delight, running over to greet us, Kian right behind her.

I gave them both a quick hug. Kian and Kade bro-embraced for a few moments too, and then Shelley launched into an explanation of what was going on here. “The winter queen made it mandatory that every household have a picture of her hanging over their mantle. The majority are thrilled she’s dead and are openly denouncing her rule. Only a few had to be … detained.”

Whew, that was a huge weight off my shoulders. I didn’t have a riot on my hands.

“There’s more,” Kian interrupted, bestowing an adoring look on his mate. “Shelley’s been busy using her talent to interrogate the castle staff, and we finally unearthed something that might help. Apparently, the queen has a sister. She was locked away years ago because they disagreed about how to rule over the winter people.”

I sucked in a deep breath, considering the wide-reaching possibilities if this was true. I didn’t want to get my hopes up yet. There was so much we didn’t know. But a part of me couldn’t help but feel excited.

“Did you find her? Is she fit to rule?” I asked, forcing my voice to remain calm. This would be the perfect solution to all of my problems. If I could assess her and make sure she didn’t inherit the evil gene, then maybe she could rule the Winter Court.

“The spells surrounding her are too strong,” Shelley told me. “I wasn’t able to even get to the door without being pushed back.”

Well, luckily, breaking spells was my specialty. “Take me to her, please.”

Shelley and Kian nodded, and with one last look at the fire-happy fae, we all moved away from the flame-filled marketplace. Shelley led us around the back side of the castle, which was quite a walk since the structure was so large. I took the time while we strolled to really observe everything. Last time I was here, there was no time to do anything but run, be captured, and fear for my life. It was nice to take in the harsh beauty of this fae court — my heritage.

I glanced across at Violet, worried that the memories of being here might be getting to her, but she looked calm. The magical essence surrounding her also seemed calm. My friend was finally healing. Piece by piece, day by day, she was finding her way back to me.

On the far side of the castle there was a barren land. Even the trees seemed to have abandoned the area; all that was left were a few spindly, dead-looking plants. And a single stone hut. It was a square, squat building of dark stone, black ivy climbing the sides.

As soon as we approached the hut, Violet put a hand up to stop us.

“This is dark magic,” she said. We were about ten feet from the building. Violet took another step in, holding both of her hands up. I followed her actions, running my hands along the inky tendrils of the spell that surrounded the dwelling.

A greenish iridescent bubble appeared before us, highlighting the perimeter of the spell. My energy slapped out before I could even think about doing it, the spell popping like a balloon, dissipating into nothing.

Almost immediately a scream rang out from inside the cabin, and I focused my attention on the doorway, preparing myself for what might emerge. Violet reached out and grasped my arm before I could get any closer.

“She’s been in captivity for god knows how long. Let me talk to her first.” I stared into those white-blue eyes, reading between the lines of what she was saying. Violet could speak to her as someone who understood a small amount of what she had gone through.

“What if it’s a trap? She could be dangerous.”

Violet snorted at me. An actual snort. And I couldn’t stop a chuckle from escaping. “I got this, friend. Besides, you’re right outside if I need any help.”

She was right, so I nodded, and then Violet was gone. Poofed into thin air. I was still worried that this woman was dangerous. She was the winter queen’s sister, and she had been locked away for a reason. But … it was Violet.

Still, as we waited and waited and waited, my worry increased. When ten minutes had passed, and I was about to go knock on the door, it opened. A tall woman with white hair and a skeletal figure stepped out with Violet. Rags hung in gray strips down her bony frame; her hair looked damp, as if she’d just tried to smooth it back and look presentable. She walked with a slight limp as she crossed the distance toward us.

There was a sheen of tears on Violet’s cheeks, and I was worried that this had been too much for her. She’d only just started healing … moving forward.

When the woman reached Kade and me, she stumbled into a small curtsy. “Your Highnesses, my name is Priscilla. Please excuse my appearance. When the spell on my home broke, it caused me some pain…”

“Of course. I’m so sorry we are meeting under this situation. I’ve only just learned about your existence,” I told her. “My name is Arianna … I’m the one who killed Isalinda.”

Violet piped up. “I told her about the queen and prince’s death, and that you are the last of the royal line. Or that we thought you were the last.”

Priscilla nodded. “I have been locked up and at the mercy of my sister for many years. When our parents died, I was supposed to touch the stone. I am the oldest. But Issie always had a plan to usurp me and take my rightful place. She dabbled in dark magic. She broke our rules.”

It sounded like something the winter queen would do. Isalinda was cruel to the bone. And while it seemed Priscilla did not have the same darkness in her, I needed to make sure. I just had to figure out how to do it without destroying whatever fragile trust we had just built. I wondered … if I could sense and filter out the darkness in Kade … shouldn’t I be able to sense it in others too?

I reached out my hand. “Well, I’m just glad to have gotten you out of there.”

She reached out slowly and placed her fragile hand in mine. “We are well met,” she stated, and I pushed my mecca forward a tiny bit, feeling the energy of her soul.

It took a few seconds to sift through the pieces. Her soul had been damaged, quite badly, but while there was darkness there, it seemed to only be linked to the memories of her captivity. Once I pushed through that, there was a bright light in her center, an innocence that told me exactly how Isalinda had so easily tricked her.

She’s good, Kade. A good person and a great candidate to take over this realm.

She needs time to heal, but I sense great potential within her, he agreed.

Pulling my hand back, I smiled. Kade reached out his hand then and introduced himself, shaking very lightly so as not to hurt her. I decided it was best to just come out with the truth.

“Priscilla, I can’t even begin to understand what you have been through. I’m sure you are feeling lost and confused right now, but you are the rightful leader of the Winter Court. Do you still want to rule over these people, with the grace and goodness they should have had years ago?”

Every tired and weary muscle in her face lifted then. The light that had been hiding in the darkness shone so brightly that I could see it without even touching her soul. “I’d be … I’d be honored. I’d need some time to remember things and get myself together, but … I’d be honored.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “I think you are exactly what this court needs. How about I keep things going here for a month or so, then you can take over when you’re rested and settled in?” I didn’t want to have to visit this place too often, I had my own people to worry about, but I could give her a little time.

She looked confused. “A month?”

Violet smiled. “Two fortnights? One moon cycle?”

Understanding replaced the confused expression, and she nodded a few times. “Oh, yes. I can do that. Thank you.”

I looked at the woman before me, captive for who knows how long. She didn’t look a day over thirty, but fae aging was akin to shifter aging — weird and unpredictable. I was sure she had thought her life was over. There was no chance of escaping while Isalinda lived. But, she could have a family now if she chose. A purpose and a future.

“Thank you for finding her,” I whispered to Shelley. The fae had tears in her eyes too. She was watching Priscilla closely — no doubt reacting to the return of her rightful queen.

“Let’s get you into the castle,” Violet said, her tone kind and understanding. “I can shroud you so that no one sees you.”

Priscilla let out a relieved breath. “Thank you. My mother always taught me that a queen needs to look put together at all times. I don’t want to start on the wrong foot.”

She cared about her people. About pleasing them. I was hoping she didn’t take it too far, though. There was a nice middle ground between crazy Isalinda and a pushover.

I better check on her periodically. I directed my worries to Kade, and he just slung an arm around me as we started to walk.

It will be fine, Ari. She will have others to help her.

He was right, but a part of me felt like I was foisting my responsibility off onto a broken fae, one who was not ready to be a leader.

Reassess in a month, he told me.

That was a good idea. I would give her this time to rest and heal. Then we would see. I had no idea what I would do if she wasn’t fit to rule, but that was another bridge I would cross when I came to it.

Inside the castle, Priscilla led us toward a wing on the east side. “These were my rooms,” she said. Surprisingly, they were still there, exactly as she left them, only covered now in a thick sheen of dust.

“No doubt Issie never stepped foot in here again.” She looked around, her eyes, which were a lovely lilac color, were shadowed.

I glanced around at the dusty wing, filled with ghosts of the past. “Why don’t we strip the former queen’s rooms,” I said. “Those are your rightful quarters now. I think it would be a fresh start.”

Her arms trembling, she nodded. “Yes, I think that would be a nice way to begin it all. Back in my parents’ wing.”

Handmaids were called in and everything happened in a hurry after that. Rooms were stripped; Priscilla was moved into the royal wing to begin her month of rest. Word was spreading fast through the castle about the return of the princess, and already flowers and gifts were arriving.

The fae were rejoicing.

By the time we all left the Winter Court, I was feeling pretty good about the way things had turned out. In one month I’d come back and make sure Priscilla was still the right person to rule the Winter Court. I had high hopes that she was. Even a short time out of the hut had seen a huge return of vitality to her. I would be present at her coronation ceremony. For now, I was going to send across some of my own shifter guards, just to keep an eye on things.

Upon returning to Manhattan, back in my mecca stone room, Shelley and I said at the same time: “Let’s go get our kids.”

Kade was already reaching for my hand. “Baladar and Nikoli already have a car waiting.” He must have planned this before we left.

Just the thought of having Winnie back by my side, of the three of us being a family together, was enough to have joy and happiness ricocheting between us. I almost couldn’t believe we had done it. We were going to be a proper family. No more absences. No more wars or fae or worry. This was finally the part where I could look back and say all of the sacrifice was worth it. We had done it, we had beaten the fae.

I started to run for the door, dragging my mate behind me. Kian and Shelley laughed as they hurried along too. We were going to get our kids. Our family.