Page 101 of Calling of the Crown

“We can’t promise what will happen,” Ardley said as he got down on the ground by the twins.

“But whatever happens,” Bassel continued, placing a hand on my back as he and Carlos crowded in behind me.

“You don’t have to go through it alone,” Rance reassured as he, Avana, and Imani got on their knees beside Dallas.

“Because we’re family,” Jesiah finished with a warm smile. He sat right next to Akira with Khalani and Jayanna sitting next to him.

“And we all love you,” Marlow added as he and Alvaro gathered on the ground behind the twins.

My heart was so full as I soaked in the words and love from those around me, and it spurred emotion to pour out of me. They were right. I wasn’t alone, and the darkness that tormented me was one I could confide in them about. We may not be able to take each other’s pain away, but we could hold each other’s hand while we faced it. And that was just as important, if not more so.

“We can’t guarantee who will make it,” Dallas whispered as she squeezed me.

“So let’s hold each other tightly while we’re all still here,” Akira finished as he let go of my hand to wrap his arms around Rune and me.

Dallas mirrored him, hugging us on the opposite side. Everyone reached forward to wrap their arms around the person next to them until everyone was huddled tightly together in one large embrace.

Everything I’d been working for was right here. It was for everyone gathered here in this tight hug. My family. We were all different shapes, colors, and Fae, and most of us didn’t share a drop of blood. But those differences meant nothing in the face of how much we loved one another.

This was family.

This was love.

And this was what I’d fight for until the very end.

Chapter Forty-Four

MONTHS OF STUDYING.

Months of combat drills and training.

Months of endless preparations.

It was all for this moment.

I stood just shy of the crest of the hill that overlooked the Valley of Wisps where tomorrow, the final battle would begin. The battle that would end the war. The battle that would change everything.

Tomorrow our lives will be different.

I only hoped it would be for the better.

I scanned the distant green-and-gold tents set up on the opposite edge of the field with the vast lake separating us. The lives within those canopies would forever change tomorrow, too. I just wished that I could’ve convinced more Fae to lay aside their hate and grudges in favor of healing, rebuilding, and kindness.

I turned and made my way back down the hill and into the cover of the forest where our own tents were set up. Everyone sat around in small groups, either laughing heartily over potentially one last evening of tales or double-checking their weapons and plans with fellow warriors.

Even my own friends sat around a fire near the tent I shared with Rune, passing around bowls of soup that Jesiah had prepared. Not all of us would be fighting tomorrow. Some Fae, like Marlow and Khalani, had stayed behind in Morardia with all the kids and those who were unable to fight.

Those of us here congregated in a circle, eating and talking, but it wasn’t long before couples began to break away for the night. I figured as much as we all wanted to soak up this time together as a group, we were also eager to have this night—potentially the last night—with our partners.

So, with a big day tomorrow, we all turned in early.

Rune and I climbed into our circular tent, which was far taller and thicker than tents I was used to from the human realm. He tied the flaps, shutting us in our own world. Chaos would be waiting for us when we next stepped outside this dimly lit space, but for now, the tent was our little haven for just the two of us.

Our eyes met, and in that moment, it was like our entire story played out before me. The first time I ran into him at the Italian restaurant and found myself staring into the most vivid eyes I’d ever seen. The day I’d unknowingly helped him out of a trap while he traipsed around as a fox. The night we’d danced at the club with chemistry so strong it was nearly tangible. The moment we struck our deal—my dream for his freedom. The times he took me painting. Our first kiss. Our first time. Our lives here in Ambrolia. It was all like a movie, one I wanted to go on forever.

I closed the space between us while holding the tender gaze of my husband. When we were within arms’ reach, we grabbed each other. It didn’t matter what we touched. We just needed to feel the other. I placed my hands on his broad, firm chest, and he placed his hands on my hips.

Staring up at him, I cracked a smile. “You’re my Cinnamon Roll.”

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