Page 138 of Queen of Thorns
Ten Years Later
Every time I earn everythingI’ve worked for, my fated mate burns it all to ash—and then gives me so much more than I ever thought to dream of.
I shift behind the shadow maple, pressing my cheek against the rough bark, heart pounding.
“Reeeevvv!” Caelynn calls in a sing-songy tone as she leaps through the trees, looking for me.
It’s very challenging to play hide and seek with a Shadow fae, but this time I have back up.
Sprites leap onto my back, sending chills all the way down to my feet but then in only a moment I’m hidden from the world. My lips curl into a smile.
Phantoms dance among the leaves above me. The High Court crown appears in the shadows above, somehow shining and flickering with light, despite the fact that I’m looking at only shadow magic.
A new High Ruler will be crowned today.
And it will not be me.
The phantoms show the silhouette of a fae, marching stoically toward the crown and then stops to face a crowd of awe-struck onlookers. Bodiless hands lift the crown and then place it over the fae’s head.
It was never supposed to me be.
Caelynn searches through the shadow palace courtyard, still filled with overgrown shadow maples. It’s been ten years since Caelynn took her place as the Shadow Queen. Most of the palace is lustrous and beautiful, filled with Caelynn’s power. There are still two wings closed off to the magic and we likely won’t open those until a new generation of Shadow fae learn to support the palace’s magical structure. One day.
The palace courtyard is wide open to the magic, though it remains wild and uncultivated. I’ve told Caelynn that a palace courtyard is supposed to be beautiful and inviting to visitors, but Caelynn refuses to trim—or “tame” as she puts it—the trees here.I won’t change who we are for anyone else,she says. They can like it or leave.
So far, the only visitors we’ve welcomed into our hated court are the expected—Rai, Kari and Ty. Each coming with extravagant gifts. We’ve also reached out to another “lesser” court and potential ally—the webbed court. Their heir aided me during a very challenging trial and I owe them a favor or two. The queen responded favorably, but we’ve yet to solidify anything. We have a lot of time, though.
A body presses tightly against my back, shoving me into the tree. “Got you,” Caelynn whispers against my ear. I chuckle and push back, twisting so I’m facing her.
Her nose grazes mine, her lips curling into a smile that graces her expression often now. My thumb finds her chin. “I could never hide from you for long,” I say.
She chuckles. “You sure tried though.”
My lips graze against hers. “That’s one battle I don’t mind losing.”
Her fingers claw into the shoulders of my jacket as she presses her lips to mine. I chuckle and pull her hands back. “No wrinkles,” I chide.
“Yes, because our clothes are going to make such a difference in how the High Courts see us.”
Another quick kiss and then I curl my arm in hers and pull her through the trees then into the palace. “If I’m going to embrace my image as the High Court deserter, husband to the infamous Shadow Queen, then I’m sure as hell going to look good doing it.”
Caelynn chuckles and pulls me along faster. “Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
We march through the shadow palace, the dark walls shining and pulsing with life. The magic has been eager to reestablish itself, like a living being that had been just waiting for the chance to breathe again. The gargoyles now take flight every night and growl when strangers enter the palace.
The shadow sprites bound through the halls like mischievous puppies. The Phantoms have found their way to several of the rooms, including the throne room where they perform for every fae who drinks of the fountain.
Today, the fountain is closed to the public, though. Our advisors stand in front of the chalice, beneath an extravagant chandelier made of sparkling white lumi-stones. Stones that represent my love for Caelynn, and it is not nearly big enough if you ask me.
Some of the shadow court citizens were displeased by the new addition, but Caelynn loves it. She insists that light and dark are partners, and we should embrace them each.
Luscious stands rigid among the advisors, his jaw set. It took him a while to crawl back and beg for forgiveness from Caelynn. After our final battle with the Night Bringer, and all the portals to the human world were destroyed, Caelynn quickly dismantled the shadow rebel society. Some are in prison. Most are simply afraid that the “psychic” queen will find them if they even whisper a word against her.
