Page 21 of Knowing Trust

Going from the unknown who didn’t belong in their society to the hero of our society in that short of a time frame was a bit of whiplash.

People also pulled up the original livestream where I met Luke and all of the unflattering press coverage trying to embarrass me that I was a whore, etc. Now it was all about how smart I’d been to use that meeting and situation to my advantage to help everyone and how clearly it had worked.

I was glad that things were going in my favor but… I was salty.

Hell, I was fucking resentful. It was ridiculous it took the mountain of good things and miracles I’d done to get this sort of support and reaction finally.

And I clearly wasn’t the only one who felt that way.

Those who had been with me from the beginning and suffered through it all looked disgusted more than a few times.

But it was still better than getting more shit.

Now that it was truly all over, I kept my promise to Luke and had everything arranged to bury him and his mate. I thought a few of the guys would come to support me or be there in case I needed them, but all of them came along with Izzy, my dad, and all of the commanders.

“No matter his crimes, he kept you alive,” my dad said easily. “He taught you what you needed to combat the corruption in Faerie, and you might not be standing here without him. That earns him the respect of many, Daughter.”

I turned and realized there were a lot more people there. Katrina, Anya, dozens and dozens of fairies. I nodded, glad people appreciated the truth.

“Somewhere green and gets snow just like I promised,” I told him after the caskets were lowered in. “You’re still a dumbass for trying to protect me when it wasn’t needed, but you’re a dumbass we won’t forget, Luke. I know you did the best you could. I know you think there’s no redemption for either of you, but I pray to the gods you’re wrong again. Find peace, my friend.”

I dropped a lily onto each of their caskets and moved off to the side, watching as everyone gathered to do the same.

“Why a lily, cream puff?” Lucca asked as we watched the others. “I thought roses were normally for funerals.”

“Lilies symbolize redemption,” Neldor answered. “We’re hoping for their redemption if they make amends with the gods.”

“It’s a fairy thing?” Lucca hedged.

“No, it’s a me thing hoping that things aren’t so black and white in the afterlife,” I answered.

After everyone was done, I used my magic to move the dirt back over the graves and then to protect the area so no one could mess with it. Even if I owned the land and we had Guardians there, we couldn’t be everywhere all of the time and this was a secluded spot on the back of the property.

That was the way Luke would have wanted it. There were several huge trees nearby, but still they would get sunlight. It was honestly a gorgeous spot, and everyone who cared for me made a point to say I’d chosen it wisely.

I hoped so. I hoped he liked it and they could pay for their sins and then find peace.

Eternity was too long to pay for the crimes they’d committed. Not when he’d done it for the greater good and she’d been pushed over the edge into where she ended up.

I hoped I could also feel the same about Queen Elora one day too, but I was nowhere close to there yet.

Not yet.

I gave one last look at the nice headstones that I’d bought and had engraved for them with their names and years alive. That seemed simple and nothing—he’d yell at me if I put more or even did that probably.

Then we left. We weren’t really doing a luncheon more just we were going to have food after and settle with it being over. All of it even.

“I waited to show you this until after when you needed the smiles,” Izzy said as she handed me her phone. She nodded that it was okay and knew I probably wasn’t in the mood.

But it was Izzy, so I caved.

I frowned as a video loaded with a woman I recognized. I couldn’t place her at first, but then I swallowed a sigh. She was an anchor for a supe news show that did in-depth pieces—or that was what she was known for mostly. She was fair and mostly impartial. She’d called me on shit but also my accomplishments, so I had no beef with her.

I simply wasn’t in the mood.

“What is your favorite part about being on Princess Tamsin’s detail?” she asked.

The camera showed Ara, Wynn, and five other Guardians who were regularly on my detail.

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