Page 63 of King

“What about the elves?” Rue whispers next to me.

The only two elves with any real power we’ve seen are Vaegon and the seer, who we’re not exactly fond of. To be fair, though, they did what was necessary to save the realm. That’s what makes a good leader–not someone who seeks the approval of those around them. Plus, I learned that Vaegon is the reason Phen was there to help us at the end. The seer had a vision, and Vaegon acted on it. I’m sure we would have fared much differently without their help.

“It’s not up to me,” I tell Rue, pressing a gentle kiss on her fingertips. “We’ll let them decide.”

The seer closes her eyes and gives me a small bow. “The elves will meet and discuss. Thank you, Durin.” She straightens and turns to Rue. “I’m sorry for what we had to put you through. I truly am.”

Rue huffs and leans against me. “I forgive you,” she tells the seer. “But just know that I plan on getting to know Durin’s illusionist friend. You’ll get to try on a lot of new expressions–smiles, frowns, that face everyone makes when they eat something sour…” Rue smiles wickedly. “I can’t wait to see whatan expressive elf looks like.”

The seer looks only mildly disturbed, but I’m sure she’s panicking inside. I wonder if the elves will choose to stay hidden or join the rest of the realm now that it’s free. There are still twisted individuals here, but that will always be the case. They’ll be dealt with as they’re found, but overall, this is going to be a safe place for every species.

Vaegon walks over and gazes up at the castle behind me. “Shall we burn it down?” he asks casually.

He has no history with this place, no nightmares or scars that were born there. He’s offering this for my sake.

“I’d love to reduce the whole thing to ashes,” I tell him, turning to look at the sad, lifeless building. “But the castle itself never did anything wrong.” I kick at the brittle grass along the base of the wall. “I think we should restore it. Bring it back to life.”

“The gryphons’ home is there,” Rue says, reaching out to Sashon for the crown. “It’s beautiful. The rest of the castle can be beautiful, too.”

I kiss her on the top of her head and look at our son. “Thereisone room that needs to burn. Would you like to join me?”

The queen’s bedroom sits at the end of the castle. Burning a chunk off the building won’t hurt anything. And that place can’t be allowed to remain standing, whether Rue and I decide to live in the castle or not. That room and everything in it need to die with the queen.

I glance over at Folas, who’s sitting in the grass, staring at nothing. I’ve imagined killing him in so many ways, but he’s endured enough torment of his own. Growing up in a hidden room, isolated except for a guardian and his depraved mother… he has his own scars that need healing. He needs new life breathed into his soul.

I won’t be able to do that, but I know someone who can. Andonce I’ve made amends with my parents, I’ll ask my mother to help him. Right now, there are shadows of my own past waiting to be destroyed.

Chapter 23

Rue

Everything has changed since the queen’s death. Faerie is like a whole new realm. Shifters lounge on the beaches of the dark lakes while kelpies and elves fill the markets, trading moonshade tea and fine fabrics. The castle is alive with color, and the courtyard garden has been restored, lush and blooming as it should be.

There are no more servants. Anyone working in the castle is there by choice and compensated well. The dungeon has been repurposed into a special sanctuary for Mannus and Bock, who get to spend the rest of their days chained to the walls and staring at each other in silence. Who knew there could be a fate worse than death? Durin is quite clever.

Vaegon and his family did choose to move to Faerie. Lucas said their fear of the humans in their realm caused them to be isolated and always on edge. No matter how secure it seemed, a single human wandering too close to their territory or one flash of fangs at the market could spell disaster for all of them. Knowing this realm is free now, and has so many powerful and honorable leaders to keep it that way, they believe they’ll feel much safer here.

They’ll be much happier, I think. Shifters are social creatures, who are deeply connected to nature. They crave community andexploration. Here, they have an entire realm of diverse creatures to meet and beautiful places to discover.

They brought their pack and some other packs with them. Watching them settle in, enjoying the freedom of a realm that was always meant for joy, is one of my favorite things to do. I laugh each time one of them gazes up at the sun, marveling that it doesn’t try to kill them.

Jade and I have become good friends. We both really enjoy visiting the gryphons. They often take us on rides over the realm, showing us beautiful places even Durin didn’t know about. Faerie is so beautiful. Everything is perfect now.

Even Folas has found some healing. He’s been staying in the hut Mother and I hid out in. The seer told him that’s where his father hid from the queen until he died. It seemed a fitting place. And it’s safe enough to protect him from the forest creatures. Durin mentioned he’s not exactly the fighting type.

We live in the castle now, in Durin’s old room. He said it was the one place in the castle he felt somewhat safe. It’s also where he met his friends Sarra and Leah, who made the time he spent here bearable. The castle holds some bad memories for him, but the worst part of the structure is gone. I admire that he isn’t letting those memories defeat him. It’s nice having a space big enough for us and Vaegon’s family, for my mother, and many other elves, fae, and shifters who want to live here, too. It feels like we’ve created a pack of our own. I didn’t realize how much I needed one.

The seer and I even made amends. She sat me down by her fire and gave me something I thought was lost forever–my memories. Not really the memories themselves, but visions of my heat, from the time Durin arrived to when I woke up in his arms. I saw his confusion, my silent plea for his help, and his struggle to decide what was best for me.

I heard my whimpers and growls and saw how each oneaffected him. The sweetness he spoke of was there. I was meek with him at times and needy at others. And he took care of me. Anything I begged for, he gave me. Anything I demanded, he let me take. It was all there in the seer’s visions.

I felt compelled to forgive her. She didn’t have to share her gift with me, and I don’t think she did it out of guilt. She’s never shown any guilt over what she’s done. But she did show compassion and gave me my heat back. Which is why I’m able to go into this next one unafraid, excited even.

I wish I could be aware and remember everything after, but that’s not how it’s meant to work. Durin can tell me all about it when we’re done. Maybe another pup will come from it. Maybe not. I’m happy either way.

The seer said that Jade and I will have longer lives than most shifters since we are mated to fae, even without a mate bond for me. A fated match is bond enough to make that magic work. We’ll have plenty of years to enjoy each other, no matter what the heat does or doesn’t bring.

Right now, I’m ready to get it started. The fever is just now setting in, and I’d like to enjoy one good round before I’m lost to it.

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