Page 99 of Queen of Serpents and Shadows

Laera chuckled. “Imagine that. I think we actually did.”

Ryvin pulled me into his arms. “No more running off to save everyone, alright? Can we leave that to someone else from now on?”

I turned my head, and he lowered his face closer to mine. “I think I’m retiring from battle.” I rose up on my toes and gave him a kiss.

“Queens don’t typically fight in wars,” Laera said.

I tensed, then turned to her.

She had an amused look on her face. “What, you think I want the Konos crown?” She shook her head. “Sorry, but that’s his, and I’m pretty sure where he goes, you go.”

“I never wanted to be king,” Ryvin said.

Vanth dropped to one knee, lowering his head. My mouth parted in surprise. I was certain Vanth had never bowed to anyone.

“Your highness, I would be honored to serve under you, King of Konos.” Vanth kept his head down, but I could see his shoulders shaking slightly.

Ryvin released me, then shoved his friend. Vanth fell to the ground, bursting into laughter.

“I’ll work on it, I swear. By your coronation, I’ll be able to do it with a straight face,” Vanth said.

“Come on, I want to see the look on my mother’s face when she finds out my father is actually dead,” Laera said.

37

Ara

We arrived backat the palace gates to cheers and shouts of joy. Soldiers were swept up in the arms of loved ones and the people of Athos broke into victory songs I’d almost forgotten. Casks of wine were brought from the palace stores and a massive bonfire was erected where the platform for Cora’s wedding had been. I suspected they’d used the platform to start the fire.

I saw my sisters standing on the balcony, waving and smiling while the people below shouted praise for their new queen. It was such a contrast to the last time she’d stood there, a grieving daughter, watching as too many of her own people were sent to the Underworld.

I managed to slip into the palace with Ryvin and Laera, seeking the more subdued venue after everything we’dendured. It was still night, and I knew that once the sun rose, we’d have to face the realities of the aftermath. Athos was in shambles. It would take time and resources to rebuild. There were also the casualties that would start to become reality as people failed to find their loved ones. I knew my actions saved some lives, but I wished I could have prevented all the loss.

We left a trail of bloody footprints on the marble tile as we walked in. Mine were barefoot, as they often were. It felt like a hundred years ago since I left muddy footprints on the gleaming floor after training sessions with David. It hadn’t been all that long, but I wasn’t the same person I’d been that day Konos arrived. That Ara had died, and a stronger, more confident version had taken her place.

“Ara, thank the gods,” Argus called as he ran down the long hall. “Your sisters are asking for you.”

I looked over at Ryvin and Laera. Laera smiled and Ryvin nodded. “Go. We’ll catch up with you later.”

I followed Argus though the halls, past guards who hollered and cheered when they saw us. The entire palace was alive with celebration. I found myself forcing a smile and cheering with them, but my emotions hadn’t caught up to reality yet. There was a numbness in my body, a sense of doubt. It was hard to believe we’d succeeded.

Guards were stationed outside the room, and it felt so familiar. They’d gone back to their places, protecting the royal family. I nodded to them as they parted to let me though, Argus following me.

My sisters were still waving and smiling at the crowdbelow when I joined them on the balcony. Cora was the first to notice my arrival. She spun to face me, her shoulders sagging in relief, her eyes filling with tears. “I thought I’d never see you again.”

Lagina and Sophia turned, both of their expressions changing from their diplomatic smiles to true joy. They moved toward me, embracing me in a sandwich between the two of them. Cora joined them, the four of us holding each other while we alternated between laughing and crying.

It felt real then, with my sisters’ arms around me. I let it out. Let myself feel the weight of what I’d done, both the good and the bad. I let the tears flow and let myself feel the exhaustion of the last few weeks. So much had happened, but there was hope.

When we parted, I heard a fresh eruption of cheering. We’d caused a scene, with many of the citizens standing below us, their fists in the air as they chanted. It took me a moment to understand their words, but when I figured it out, I couldn’t help but chant along with them. As I shoved Lagina forward, I joined in, “Long live the Queen. Long Live Athos!”

Tonight, we needed to celebrate. Tomorrow, when the sun rose, we’d start the process of honoring our dead, rebuilding, and strengthening Athos into the city it was always meant to be.

Something nudged inside me, a feeling I was getting more familiar with. I turned and saw Ryvin standing in theroom, out of view of the people below. He was watching us with pure pride in his eyes.

I left my sisters, joining him in the background. “You don’t look like you’re too angry at me.”

“I understand why you did it,” he said with a sigh. “There’s a part of me that wishes you hadn’t, but I’m just too grateful that you’re alive to care about anything else.”

---