Page 62 of King

Durin spots me and rushes over with a wide grin on his face. He grabs me in his arms and lifts me off the ground, checking my face and wiping my cheeks before kissing me firmly on the lips. “I love you,” he whispers, his soothing voice more appreciated than ever.

I sob in his arms, letting his scent wash over me. I wish I could hug him back, but the crown is too heavy. I’m about to toss it to the ground when it hits me why the gryphon gave it to me–she was telling me Durin had won.

I look up at his beautiful face and laugh at myself. I’m an idiot. But I don’t care. I heave the heavy crown up and place it on top of his bright blue head. He gives me a puzzled look, then lifts his eyes up as if he could see the crown sitting there.

“Well, look at you… king of the fae,” I tease. “Does that make me yourroyalfriend?”

Durin throws back his head and laughs, almost losing the crown. He straightens it with a grin and says, “I think you’re due for a promotion, don’t you?”

I hum, pretending to consider it. “Like what?”

“How about queen of my heart?” he asks, trying to keep a straight face.

I roll my eyes. “I don’t know… I have a few dryad friends who might be a bit jealous.”

He chuckles and kisses the tip of my nose. “Let them be jealous. They don’t stand a chance against a king.”

I resist the urge to grab his long ears, settling for the hair at the back of his neck instead. I pull him down and kiss him hard. It doesn’t matter who’s watching. I need this connection with my mate. I lose myself in him, deepening the kiss until my lungs scream for air.

Reluctantly, I pull away and rest my head on his chest,listening to the steady rhythm of his still-beating heart.

I watch Vaegon, standing proudly with his family. They’re gathered with the mixed fae shifters and the handler.

“He isnotclaiming all of them!” Jade growls, gripping Anders’s hand and shoving her finger in the handler’s face.

The handler freezes, taken aback by the frightening little Omega. But he soon recovers, and his loud laughter makes Jade crack a smile. “Don’t worry. That won’t be necessary,” he assures her.

I jump when the seer appears beside us, but for once, my joy isn’t sucked out of my soul. I even find a smile for the stale elf, though I know it won’t be returned.

She eyes the crown resting on Durin’s head before moving toward the crater. A hush falls over the forest as we listen to what she has to say.

“Magic comes from the sun, not the soil,” she says, peering down into the shadows below. “Gifts from the dark are short-lived and come at a cost. Gifts from the light are free and boundless, outshining time itself. Let this be a lesson to us all.”

Now would be a good time to recognize the gifts I’ve already received. Fate made itself the bad guy to ensure the realm found freedom. I lost my pup, but I gained a son I can be proud of. And I can still be a part of his life if he decides to stay.

Even if he doesn’t, Faerie has changed for the better. Durin and I can enjoy those endless days in bed. But I think we’ll have a lot of fun seeing the changes in the realm now that everyone is free.

Chapter 22

Durin

I’m not sure how symbolic this crown is supposed to be. I really have no desire to be a ruler. The realm needs one, though. Someone to make sure it’s protected. My power isn’t going anywhere. It will continue to grow, and grow back, for as long as I’m alive. It would be ungrateful not to use it for good.

But power isn’t everything. And fae don’t get to be in charge just because they’re fae. I set Rue on her feet and take her hand. “Seer, will you take us to the battlefield? I need to see how everyone fared.”

“Of course. I’ll join you,” she says, raising her hand.

The blackened part of the forest blurs, giving way to a different scene of death. All across the grass, kelpies and wolves work together, dragging the bodies of dead nobles into a large pile. There’s a short line of our fallen warriors, each adorned with delicate flowers to honor their sacrifice. My soul weeps for them, but I’m thankful the toll is so few.

“Durin!” Sashon calls, tossing a severed arm aside as he rushes over. The Majestic quickly joins him, standing proudly at his side.

“Look at that crown!” Sashon whoops and whistles, inciting the rest of the Alphas to howl and cheer. “I knew you’d do it!”

“Wedid it,” I say, clasping his forearm. I glance at theMajestic, then smile at them both. “That’s why we’re going to need more crowns.”

Sashon huffs a laugh and brushes it off, but I’m serious. “There are four species of high fae. Five if you count the dryads. There’s no reason for any one of them to be in charge of ruling or protecting the others,” I say, taking off the crown and plopping it on top of Sashon’s head. “I’d like to establish a kingdom of rulers who work together like it should have been from the beginning. And I want it to start with the two of you.”

Sashon beams and strikes a few poses with the crown before offering it to the Majestic. He snorts, I think out of humor, and stomps his feet. His long mane falls over his eyes as he bows in appreciation.

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