One week later

I wish I could say that we all just went home and had a cup of tea. No, there was still work to do. Some of the demons didn’t lay down their weapons, and neither did some of the Morrigan’s allies. While we’d been busy fighting her clone, she’d called her allied Gods and they came with their armies. The battle raged for two days until the last God was defeated. There were losses on both sides, but not as heavy as they could have been had the Morrigan still been there to control her demons.

Algonquin died in battle, killed by a higher demon who’d crept up on him from behind. Ever since we got back, Zephyr has been locked inside his chambers, refusing to open the door even for me. I’ve decided to let him grieve in peace while making sure he knows I’m there to support him. Luckily, he’s been the only one of my close allies who died. Some are wounded, including Gwain who is nursing an injury to his back that almost killed him, but Crispin says they’ll all recover.

All in all, we really have achieved a victory. Most of the husbands and wives of those who fought in the battle were able to welcome home their loved ones.

Dewi is mourning several of her dragons, and I’ve promised to attend the official mourning ceremony in her Realm soon. First though, there’s a funeral here that I need to go to.

Beira is being cremated today and I’m so not ready. There was no body when my mum died, so I see it as the funeral for both of my mothers, by birth and adoption. How blessed was I to have two mums, even if I didn’t always see it like that. I wish I’d had more time to spend with Beira. The memories in my mind sometimes make it feel like she’s talking to me from beyond the veil, but I know that isn’t really her. Still, the knowledge that I’m carrying a part of her within me helps with the grief.

“She’d be so proud of you.”

Tamara enters the room, wearing a black dress similar to my own. A silver snowflake brooch rests above her bosom, a sign of her love for Beira. The crown weighs heavily on my head, another reminder that I’m on my own now. No mother to hold my hand and guide me. I have my Council and my advisors, but it’s not the same. Tamara is the only one of them who understands me completely. Ada, too, but she’s left for the Dragon Realm, saying she’s got some unfinished business there. Two of her men were injured in the battle, but Crispin managed to heal them pretty quickly. They won’t even be left with scars.

Not physical ones, anyway. I think most of us carry an assortment of mental scars. Seeing the blood, the dying, the cruelty of the demons; it all leaves a trace. I’ve been having nightmares, but having the Guardians with me makes them better. I’ve kept them close, not letting them stray too far from me. The fear of losing them now that the battle is over is irrational, I know that, but I can’t help it. They are fine with my clinginess though, especially at night.

I smile when I think of yesterday evening, how we all ended up on the floor, our limbs entwined, our souls connected by kisses and gentle touches. I did say I’d lock myself into my chambers with them to have some alone time, but there’s too much to do. There are going to be trials against those who allied with the Morrigan. Negotiations with Angus will start soon to draw up new contracts that will ensure no more war between our Realms. There might even be trade agreements. I don’t think I’ll ever be friends with Angus, but for the moment, he seems content to stick to his own Realm and keep the balance. Dewi has helped a lot with that. She’s not just his step-daughter, but also a Goddess who’s part of our quartet of seasons. She gives him two reasons to not start a war again any time soon.

“We should go,” Tamara reminds me gently and I turn to her, nodding. I need to be strong now. Half the Realm has assembled to bid their Mother farewell, and I’ll be the one to light the pyre. It’s an old-fashioned ceremony, not at all like a funeral on Earth, but the memories and knowledge Beira endowed me with will hopefully guide me through it.

“I’m ready.”

I’m not, but let’s pretend I am.

I take her hand and teleport us onto Bald Peak, a low but wide hill not far from the Palace. Thousands of people are assembled here, forming concentric circles around the large wooden funeral pyre. On it, Beira’s remains are wrapped in a golden cloth, embroidered with tiny silver snowflakes. Most people are wearing snowflake brooches to honour not just Beira, but all the dead of the Winter Realm. She may be the one on the pyre, but we’re remembering all the battle’s victims today.

I take my place in front of the pyre, where my father and my Guardians are already waiting for me. They’re wearing black suits, even Arc. This may be the first time I’ve seen him without a kilt.

“You okay?” Crispin asks and I nod, my eyes fixed on the pyre. I don’t want to look at the crowd and meet anyone’s eyes. The other Gods form the closest circle, most of them familiar, some strangers who stayed neutral during the battle. They’ve all come to say farewell to my mother. Blaze is standing next to Ada and her men, his horn covered in black gauze as a sign of respect. He didn’t take part in the battle, but he helped carry messages back and forth with his unique teleporting magic. I hope he’s here to stay, not because of his sparklies, but because I like him as a non-person.

I take a deep breath and use some magic to enhance my voice so all can hear me.

“Today we honour Beira, the Mother of Gods, the Queen of the Winter Realm, the Goddess who kept watch over all life from the dawn of time. She may have left her mortal body behind, but she will always keep guard over this Realm through those who’ve been touched by her grace.”

I step forward until I almost touch the pyre. I conjure a fire spiral and let it fly high into the sky. It shines down on us together with the pale winter sun.

“I, Wynter, the daughter of Beira and the new Winter Queen, will light the pyre and release my mother so magic may take her home.”

I lower the fire spiral and make it wider so it surrounds the pyre. This is the moment. Be strong, Wyn. You can do this.

I close my eyes for a moment and let the fire touch the pyre. I can’t bear to look. I lift my head and open my eyes again, watching as the first smoke begins to drift up and form a beautiful pattern on the clear sky.

I raise my voice again and recite the ancient blessing.

Tears run down my face by the time I finish. The pyre is burning brightly now and I can barely make up my mother’s body. This really is the end.

Around me, people start to sing the same blessing I just recited, their voices lifting to the heavens. My heart aches at the sound and the beauty of the emotion expressed by it.

My mother may be gone, but her spirit lives on in everyone who’s standing on this hill with me. I step back and immediately, my Guardians surround me, hugging me from all sides. They hold me in their arms until the fire has died out and nothing remains but ashes.

I teleport us back into my chambers. Tamara leaves us after giving me both a hug and a knowing smile. I sit down on my bed and take off my crown, using some magic to deposit it on the sideboard. Another swirl of magic removes my black dress, leaving me in just my underwear.

“You did well,” Storm says, his eyes gentle and full of emotion. I’m still getting used to being able to see their faces again. I forgot how beautiful they all are, each in their own way. “She’d be proud of you.”

I smile. “I know. It doesn’t make it any easier though.”

“How can we make it better?” Crispin asks and sits down by my side. He wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me close. My naked skin rubs against his clothes in an annoying way. I make them all naked. Now we’re equal.

“Give us some warning next time?” Arc grumbles but then he laughs. “I much prefer it like that. Trousers chafe.”

“It was your decision not to wear your kilt,” Frost chuckles. “I know how much you like to feel the wind down there.”

Arc grins. “I like to feel other things there too.”

I beckon him to come closer, but he looks a little unsure.

“Are ye sure?”

“I think sex at funerals is an Earth tradition, but I’m the Queen and I can do what I like. And right now, I want to be with my Guardians. Now, let me feel you.”

He nods and steps forward until his knees touch mine. I take his cock into my hands as if it’s the most precious thing. Well, it is. All of them are precious. Not because of their manly bits, but because of their souls, their hearts.

I rub him gently while Crispin takes off my bra.

“I love your boobs,” he mutters and lowers his mouth to them, sucking on one nipple. Frost climbs onto the bed behind me and runs his lips along the nape of my neck, pressing rows upon rows of kisses on my skin. I shiver at his touch.

Storm is still standing a few feet away from us, watching with a smile. I lock eyes with him as Frost slips a hand under my panties and begins to draw his fingers over my bud in small circles, making me gasp softly with each touch. These men will be the death of me.

I’m still looking at Storm, not able to take my eyes away from his passionate gaze that’s full of fire and promises. The other three are worshipping my body while I’m still rubbing Arc’s cock, eliciting groans from him that make me only want to increase my pace. I want to make them all feel good, just like they’re making me feel amazing.

We’re made for each other, four Guardians and their Goddess. Once, I thought I didn’t deserve them, but now I know that we deserve each other. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, and we fit together like a perfect puzzle, increasing strengths and making up for weaknesses. We’re one.

The bond flares up at that thought and sparks dance before my eyes. No, they’re not just in my mind, they’re real. Silver sparkles are filling the room and we all stop and stare. They swirl around like a gentle snow storm, then slowly begin to form a circle around us. As if by magic, Storm is pushed towards the rest of us and the sparkles swirl faster, encompassing us.

Something nudges my mind, a memory of my mother’s. Wow.

“Guys?” I ask and they all turn to me, their faces illuminated by the light of the silver particles. “You’ll have to say two words for this to work.”

They all look at me cluelessly.

I smile. “The bond has decided that we’re ready. It’s… ehm… a marriage ceremony. Except that we have magic conduct it.”

Their expressions mirror my own surprise and shock.

“So… it wants us to say the words. The two words that will make it real.”

Crispin’s eyes widen, then he smiles. “I do.”

A group of sparkles branch of from the main circle and surround his head like a halo.

“I do,” Storm and Frost say at the same time, like the brothers they are. The magic marks them as ready just like it did to Crispin.

Arc is the last one. He looks me in the eyes and takes my hands in his.

“I do.”

The sparkles around us turn a bright gold and become so fast that they’re blurring into lines.

Only one thing left to do.

I take a deep breath and let my magic caress all four of them. These words are so simple, yet they’re the most important words I’ll ever say. And I’ll never, ever regret them.

“I do.”

And that’s how I make them mine. My men, my Royal consorts.

My Guardians.