Page 175 of Faeling
Molly and Allarion had arrived from the faelands a few days previously, bringing well-wishes from Leita. The new Fae Queen sent her apologies for not being able to attend in person, as her growing bond with the faelands was too fragile to risk.
Ravenna understood and hoped to visit her friend the following spring. Hopefully by then, Leita would have made more progress.
As Molly began to string another crystal bead on herthread, Ravenna warned, “Just don’t tire yourself. Not in your condition.”
Molly frowned first at the thread and then at Ravenna. “My condition? I’m well, I—” Her eyes widened, a choked sound catching in her throat.
Ravenna’s smile was smug as the orcesses squealed in delight. She’d missed this—her visions hadn’t always been bad, and being able to offer a little hope, a little glimpse of good times, always pleased her.
You see?said Oberon smugly.I told you they’d return with time. Gifts aren’t known to suddenly vanish.
Yes, I need to stop doubting you.
Exactly right.
One of the more interesting things Ravenna had overseen the past few months was the creation of comfortable stables for Oberon, Callistix, and their herd. Though the danger to her had passed, the unicorns determined they wished to stay near Balmirra and her, and so Ravenna wanted to offer them accommodations whenever they desired to stay in the citadel.
It shocked more than a few orcs, and the distrust between orcs and unicorns wouldn’t disappear overnight, but it was a step towards coexistence. And, with the wounds sustained at the battle of Fallorian, it gave her peace of mind to know Oberon had a safe, warm place to continue healing.
Hilde had even taken to sewing more and more elaborate caparisons. She enjoyed the challenge, and Oberon was nothing if not a little vain, and so the two of them had worked out a system to try different fabrics and threads—especially after Ravenna refused to be a mediary whenever they wanted to spend a long afternoon debating colors.
Just wait until you see what she’s made me,Oberon teased.I fear I might outshine even you, Crow.
We’ll see about that.
Ravenna suspected she’d outshine the sun with the wealth of gold and jewels Hilde had managed to pin, place, and sew onto her. The gown and veil were heavy, but she still joined in the squeals and embraces as they all congratulated Molly.
The woman was stunned, but as the moments passed, a smile drew wider and wider across her face.
Leaning down to kiss her cheeks, Ravenna whispered, “It’s early days yet, but know that she will be happy and healthy.”
Molly blinked up at her with watery eyes. Her brilliant smile almost blinded Ravenna, and Molly threw her arms around her, catching her in a tight embrace. “Thank you,” she whispered back.
“Not the veil!” Hilde yelped.
Molly released her, wiping at a stray tear. Still smiling, she helped Hilde straighten all the nonexistent creases in the long veil.
The royal quarters quickly returned to chatter and giggles. Asta kept the jokes and teasing flowing while Eydis dutifully kept Ravenna fed. Molly and Hilde worked their magic, and by the time the afternoon sun began to saturate the rooms, Ravenna was ready.
Heart full, she took a moment to soak in the cheeriness and love.
Had she ever seen what her life would be like now, surrounded by friends and love, she likely wouldn’t have believed it. Perhaps that was why she never saw visions beyond defeating Amaranthe. Perhaps, however strangely, her gift knewshe had to discover it for herself first.
Whatever the truth, Ravenna was grateful. For her friends. For her new life. And most especially for the handsome orc awaiting her.
The sun blazed through the tall windows of Ninevar’s Basilica, drenching the red limestone in shafts of glorious color. Hundreds of orc-kin crowded between the columns, eager for a glimpse of the new queen.
None more so than Vallek. Standing before his throne on the dais, his heart pounded a little harder in his chest as horns blew, announcing her arrival.
A hush fell over the crowd, all leaning forward for that first peek. Orcish paladins and denizens made up most of the ranks, but a few different faces underscored how much Balmirra had evolved. Near the dais, standing with Eydis, Hilde, and Asta, were the fae Allarion and his human mate Molly. To their left, a whole contingent of unicorns, Oberon at their head, all cloaked in velvet and brocade.
It made for an already unprecedented sight—and then, from the far side of the basilica, she emerged.
Shafts of light from the window behind him haloed her in a warm glow, making her shine like the rising moon. A gown of silver silk draped artfully from her lithe form, billowing sleeves reaching almost to the floor and cascading behind her with a long train. Subtly embroidered with flowers and unicorns in white thread, the fabric moved like water, rippling in a current that brought her ever closer to him.
Vallek descended the steps to meet her, entranced by the ethereal beauty come to bless him. Dazzling as a diamond and shining even brighter, her lilac skin shimmered opalescent. Hundreds of crystals sewn into the gown caught the light, as did the teardrop bobs dangling from her ears and the waterfall of diamonds dripping down her elegant neck.
Some of her long tresses had been secured with pearl-encrusted pins, while the rest hung unbound to wave behind her. From the dark cascade fell a long veil, gleaming gossamer lined in the finest lace. The veil spread behind her along the length of the basilica, a slithering wisp of fabric that contrasted her dark hair and iridescent purple wings.
