Page 72 of Crowned By the Shadow
Senara
One year after our confrontation with the Void Dragon Empress, I stood at the threshold of our home, watching the twin moons rise over the sacred grove that existed between realms. The silver light bathed our small dwelling in gentle radiance, reflecting off the crystalline growths that had formed naturally around our sanctuary. Neither fully in the fae realm nor completely separate, our home existed in perfect balance—just as Thorn and I did.
“Beautiful tonight,” Thorn murmured, stepping behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist. His warmth seeped into me, a pleasant contrast to the cool evening air.
I leaned back against him, feeling our soul bond pulse with contentment. “Every night is beautiful here.”
Our transformation into guardians had changed us in ways both profound and subtle. The gold threads that were now permanently intertwined with my silver Moon Mark were mirrored by the silver that threaded through Thorn’s golden Sun-kissed mark. Our eyes held galaxies within their depths, not the cold, hungry void of the corrupted Empress, but the harmonious dance of cosmic forces in balance.
Yet for all our changes, we remained ourselves. We still argued about small things, still laughed at private jokes, still found wonder in the simplest pleasures. Our love had only deepened, anchoring us to our humanity even as we fulfilled duties beyond mortal comprehension.
“We should prepare,” Thorn said, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on my arms. “They’ll be arriving soon.”
I nodded, reluctantly pulling away from his embrace. Today marked the anniversary of the balance’s restoration, and we had invited our closest friends to celebrate with us. Though our guardian duties often took us far from the fae realms, we made a point of returning for important occasions, especially this one.
“I’ll finish setting up outside,” I said, placing a quick kiss on his lips. “You check on the food.”
As I arranged cushions around the fire circle in our garden, my thoughts drifted to the remarkable changes that had unfolded over the past year. The fae realms had transformed in ways I never could have imagined when I first crossed the Veil as a frightened soldier, hiding her mark, thinking she had just been betrayed.
The ancient divisions between courts had begun to dissolve, replaced by cooperation and mutual respect. Marriages between Sun and Moon fae, once forbidden, were now celebrated openly. Children of mixed heritage walked proudly through the streets, their unique abilities valued rather than feared.
A soft chime announced our first guests. I looked up to see a shimmer in the air as Wyn and Volker stepped through the veil between realms, their figures materializing from mist into solid form.
“Senara!” Wyn rushed forward, enveloping me in a tight embrace. Her twilight-touched appearance had stabilized over the past year, the patterns of light and shadow across her skin now in perfect harmony. “I’ve missed you terribly.”
I hugged her back fiercely. Though we communicated regularly across the cosmic threads, nothing compared to seeing my oldest friend in person. “I’ve missed you too. How’s the academy?”
Wyn’s eyes lit up, quite literally, starlight dancing in their violet depths. “Thriving beyond our wildest expectations. We’ve had to expand twice already.”
Volker approached more sedately, inclining his head in greeting. “The Twilight Concordance now hosts students from all courts, including several from the human realm with natural magical affinity.”
“Like we once were,” Wyn added with a nostalgic smile.
Thorn emerged from our home, carrying a tray of food that combined delicacies from multiple courts. “Volker, Wyn,” he greeted warmly. “Just in time. The others should be arriving soon.”
As if summoned by his words, another shimmer announced the arrival of Ronan, accompanied by two younger fae I didn’t recognize—one bearing Sun Court markings, the other with the distinctive silver eyes of the Moon Court.
“Hope you don’t mind,” Ronan said after greeting us. “These are my newest recruits for the unified guard. I thought they might benefit from meeting you both.”
The young guards stared at us with undisguised awe, their eyes widening as they took in our transformed appearance. I remembered being their age, uncertain of my place in the world, and smiled warmly to put them at ease.
“We’re honored to have you,” I said. “Any friend of Ronan’s is welcome here.”
More guests arrived in quick succession: High Lord Echo and his High Lady, Kaelyn, Rys, demihuman friends who had supported us, even a few humans who had crossed the Veil to study at the Twilight Concordance. Our small grove filledwith laughter and conversation, the mingling of different magics creating a tapestry of energy that felt right, balanced.
As twilight deepened into true night, we gathered around the fire circle. The flames burned with an otherworldly light, reflecting the cosmic awareness that Thorn and I now carried. I looked around at the gathered faces, some old friends, some new allies, all part of the changed world we had helped create.
“A toast,” Thorn said, raising his cup. “To balance restored, to barriers broken, to a future brighter than any we dared imagine.”
“To balance,” everyone echoed, raising their own cups.
As we drank, I felt a familiar presence approaching, two presences, in fact, their divine energy unmistakable to my enhanced senses. A hush fell over the gathering as Van and the Moon Goddess materialized at the edge of our circle, their forms shimmering with barely contained power.
“We hope we’re not intruding,” Van said, his voice carrying the music of stars.
“Never,” I replied, rising to greet them. “You’re always welcome here.”
The Moon Goddess smiled, her silver radiance casting gentle shadows. “We cannot stay long, but we wished to mark this day with you. The healing of the realms progresses well, thanks to the foundation you built.”
