Page 84 of Of Songs and Silence

She doesn’t go far, and her yellow gaze flits protectively between us and the stunned crowd.

I turn my attention to the people at last. As one, they make the same gesture of obeisance they made for Cepheus. It’s hesitant, though, almost fearful. I understand why when a group of warriors comes forward, those my grandfather relied on the most.

They prostrate themselves before us, baring the backs of their necks and casting wary looks at the dragon.

“The honor is yours,” the woman in front says.

To me? To Ari?

I look at him briefly, seeing his jaw set in a stern line. For the first time, it occurs to me what being Queen means. Not just freedom to be with Ari, but freedom to change things. To live in a world that is not fueled by violence and fear and brutality. To create that world for myself and for the people.

Mypeople.

Feeling Ari’s approval through our bond, I cross over to the warriors, placing my hand on the shoulder of the nearest one.

“Rise,” I say gently, turning to address the entire group. “I don’t want your lives. I want your loyalty, going forward into this new kingdom with us. I want you to help us create something better.”

They look up in bewilderment, glancing from me to Ari as though they can hardly believe what they’re being told.

My soulmate nods and grabs my hand, proclaiming loud enough for the arena to hear, “The honor is all of ours.”

I have heard the Mayima cheer before as puppets for my grandfather’s sick regime, but I have never heard the thunderous roar that greets me now.

“My king.” Kane bows to Ari, a wan smile at the corner of his lips. Then he turns to me. “Shall I call you Hara’ni, or will you always be Kala to me as well?”

I shake my head, suppressing a small smile. “I’ll settle for Melodi.”

He dips into another bow. “Of course, Hara’ni.”

Moli draws nearer to treat Ari, and warmth spreads over me at the sight of those who are rapidly becoming family to me.

Family.

Though I am hopeful about this new world of ours, I finally put my finger on the bittersweet feeling tainting the edges of this victory.

I can’t move forward with one family at the cost of abandoning another. My sisters are still stuck under Mother’s thumb, and so are the people of Delphine.

Maybe I’m not a fighter, but I will not stand by like a coward while they fight for their right to be free of her. Even in the light of my certainty, my stomach sinks.

Can I really leave Ari now, when we finally have a chance to be together?

You won’t have to leave me, Kala. Where you go, I will go.

There is a finality in his words that wraps around me, comforting the broken, abandoned pieces of me. I believe him. We can have this. We can build a life together.

As soon as I take care of the life I left behind.

CHAPTERFIFTY-THREE

REMY

Ihave swallowed far more seawater than the stars ever intended for a human to ingest, but I can’t deny that having Danica’s help to reach the island was invaluable. Even if it’s nearly impossible for me to look at her without feeling the scores of hatred I have for her sister.

We swim for miles before she deposits me on a hidden beach where the others are already waiting. She doesn’t linger for drawn out goodbyes. Without a word, she dips back under the water.

It’s for the best. She makes the rest of us uneasy with her eerily familiar eyes and light purple hair. It’s too reminiscent of the monster we’ve come here to kill.

While I strip out of my wet clothes, drying off with the towel Einar has tossed my way, Aika pulls dry clothes from my pack. She also pulls out a familiar ball of orange fluff.

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