Afternoon came, and it was time—time to claim my throne before the entire court.

Queen Sorcha waited for me at the doors that led into the throne room.

She took me by the hands and kissed both of my cheeks.

“Are you ready?”

I sucked in a breath of air. “I do hope so.”

She gave me a stern look. “You better be. We’ve waited long enough for this.”

“But, what if I am not the one?”

She sighed, and shook her head. Then, her face softened as she looked at me.

“I know you are afraid. There is a lot of responsibility on your shoulders. But, do not fret. You are back, and the Guardians have assured us that the prophecies will be fulfilled. You are the Aether, the supreme Elemental,” she said, tucking a fallen strand of hair behind my ear. “Now, it’s time to meet your future court.”

Inside, the people of court were waiting for us.

I took in a cleansing breath, and a foreign confidence settled upon me.

Head held high, I walked down the purple carpet of the throne room to the row of thrones set side by side. My ladies-in-waiting were at my side, keeping my long black gown from touching the floor. It was as though I walked on air, and from the looks on the courtiers faces, they were enchanted.

The air was cool from the open glass ceiling, and fragrant with the scent of burning All Season candles that were traditionally used for formal events such as this.

There was no yelling or expletives being shouted my way because I was what was considered a dark faerie. Instead, they bowed, some even cried, and the smiles that surrounded me made my heart swell with joy.

In the center was the most elaborate, with the wings of a dragon and a black back that looked like a portal or door to an enchanted place. I marveled at the embellishments and intricate designs.

Two female faeries played harps on either side of the platform of thrones, and elders soon assembled in cloaks of gold and black, jeweled crowns on their heads.

Faerie children sang in the back of the room, their voices so pure and magical, that one couldn’t help but embrace the joy of this day.

The banners of Allandria stood on either side of the platform, and above hung a glorious chandelier that dripped with crystals and jewels that multiplied the bright light shining through from the glass ceiling.

As I sat on the throne, my heart thumped in my chest. I was the center of the magic realm. The ruler of them all.

In walked the princes, and a smile came to my face.

Prince Ewan never looked better. In his black suit with silver buttons and his sword at his side, he was regal as ever. He was followed by Stellan and Maxim, who both wore white.

Stellan carried his golden scepter, and to my surprise, he’d shaved his red beard revealing smooth skin and a charming white-toothed smile.

Maxim had pulled his long brown hair back into a ponytail at his nape, and kept his head down as he passed by the great crowd.

He was shy. I liked that about him—it was almost as if he didn’t know he was one of the most attractive men I’d ever seen. When he lifted his eyes to meet mine and gave me a wink, my heart skipped a beat. Our evening in the garden would be forever cherished, and the memories made butterflies flutter in my belly.

They took their seats beside me and one was left empty at the very end. We exchanged looks, as did the crowd. The fire prince was not coming.

Shoulders slumping, I tried my best to not let my disappointment show. Everything had gone as planned, and it seemed that one elemental did not heed the call of the Guardians.

A gasp spread across the room as in flew a black dragon from the open ceiling. Magnificent, with large ebony wings, silver talons, amber eyes, and scales that glistened with a purple hue, he commanded attention from every being in attendance.

My hands gripped the chair and my back pressed to the throne.

My eyes widened as he landed right before me, and with a spin of flames and magic, he swirled and shifted into that of a handsome faerie—one I’d seen before.

Jaw slack, and breath caught in my throat, I beheld Lancel as he bowed before me, a smug grin on his face. Those amber eyes that had struck terror and desire within me locked with mine as he took my hand and pressed his lips to my knuckles.

“Your majesty,” he said as he stood.

“May I introduce, the Fire Prince,” Queen Sorcha said, and my brows furrowed.

“Prince Lancel from House Visyrean,” he said. “Son of Queen Isadora. Heir to the throne of Inaeza. Your savior.”

“You cheeky bastard,” I said. “Why didn’t you tell me? You let me think you were Jasper.”

He chuckled. “Is that what you thought? No, it is just I, your humble fire prince. You can thank me for returning you to your grandmother later.”

My eyes widened. What? He had brought me back?

Cocky as ever, he strode down the platform and took his seat, hanging his legs over the arm and casting a self-satisfied gaze at the faeries of Allandria.

I covered my mouth. There were two Unseelie faeries in the Allandrian Court. This was unprecedented. Then, I nodded to Queen Sorcha who held the Dragon Crown in her hands.

I understood what a momentous event this was. What it meant to our people.

For the first time in centuries, the Seelie and the Unseelie Court were united. Light meets dark.

The Shadow Court.