Page 114 of Calling of the Crown

“Fonna!” the dark-skinned Fae cried as she beamed down at the other. “Oh my God, Fonna!”

Fonna reached up to hold her healed throat. She looked at me with tear-filled eyes. “Th-Thank you.”

Nodding, I stood and looked over the thousands gathered. Since I’d brought everyone here, I realized Fonna probably wasn’t the only hurt person. Not wanting anymore death, I called, “Is anyone else seriously injured and in need of quick healing? If so, please help each other forward so I can heal anyone who needs it.”

“Why would you do that?” a man questioned. “Why would you save any of us? So we feel indebted to you?”

I narrowed my eyes on him. “I do it because it’s the right thing to do. Because even though it would be easier to believe that I’m your enemy, I’m not. Now, please bring me the seriously injured; those in most peril first, please.”

Whispers filled the makeshift cavern as Fae shuffled forward. The first was a man who helped a boy—someone who looked far too young to be involved in a battle like this. The teen’s body was littered in wounds, but the direst of them was the cut right through his gut, which had his innards hanging out of the opening.

“Please,” the man cried. “My boy. My Tristan. He’s all I have left.”

I quickly hovered my watery hands over his wound and watched the intestines pull themselves back in place and the skin stitch back together.

When I was finished, Tristan hugged his father tightly. Tristan then turned to take my hand. “Thank you so much,” he cried. “Thank you.”

I smiled and squeezed his hand. “No thanks necessary. I’m glad to help any way I can.”

The next person came forward, and I moved through the throng of Fae who needed my help. Despite everything, each was grateful. Elias watched every exchange with disdain and contempt. They were his people I was helping, but he clearly wasn’t eager to receive such assistance.

When I was done, I faced the crowd of Land Fae, and I saw a vast array of emotions gazing back at me. Fear, loathing, gratitude, bafflement, skepticism … hope.

“I didn’t want the battle that happened today,” I boomed. “I didn’t want to see any Fae, those from my Kingdom or Elias’s, subjected to the suffering and death that I knew would happen with such a fight. Today’s battle was one demanded by your King, and victory was meant to be appointed when either he or I killed the other. I’m sure you all were aware of this.”

Some heads bobbed in acknowledgement. I turned my watery eyes on Elias, who couldn’t keep the hatred off his face as he watched me. Guess he wasn’t able to keep his mask of ease up anymore.

“I am not a killer,” I stated firmly. “That’s not who I am, and it’s not how I will start my rule as Queen. There has been enough blood spilt over the century. I will not add to it. This war ends now, and instead of ending with death, it will end the way it should’ve. With new alliances. New beginnings. New possibilities.

“This war has controlled you all long enough. Do not let your grievances, hatred, or vengeance control you any longer. It’s time to heal. It’s time to grow. It’s time to rebuild Ambrolia into a world where all Fae can coexist, because at the end of the day, we’re all Fae. We all belong here.”

I swept my eyes over the Fae and stood taller in my watery body. “The road to mend the broken relationship between our kinds will be long and difficult, but all those Fae waiting on the surface are ready to try. The past will not be held against you, nor will today. That fighting is done and over. It’s time to forge ahead and learn what it means to live as neighbors once more. Don’t let those who died today do so for something as twisted and ugly as hatred. Let them have given their life for something better than what they left behind—a world where Fae exist harmoniously, without suffering, fear, or death.”

“And if we refuse?” Elias growled.

Staring blankly at the Land Fae King, I deadpanned, “If you’re truly that hell-bent on holding onto your grudges and not giving everyone, including yourself, a chance to walk around without hate burdening you, then I will wait. Like I said, I will not kill you. I won’t kill any of you. If you refuse, I’ll make you a great little home down here until you’re ready to let go of your need for blood.”

“So we’ll be prisoners,” Elias scowled.

“Better a prisoner with a chance of coming home than a corpse who died while corrupted by bitterness.”

Elias gave an incredulous laugh. “And you think anyone here would be interested in what you’re offering?”

I shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not. But that’s for them to decide. Not you.” I paused, recalling a memory that would always stick with me. “A boy I knew once said that when leaders decide they want war, citizens don’t get a say.”

My throat tightened, remembering Blake as he’d told me his story that day so long ago while he healed my wounds in a store bathroom. So distant, yet his words so powerful.

Clearing my throat, I asked, “So, Fae, what will you decide? It’s time for you to have a say. Will you help me rebuild in the name of peace for Ambrolia?”

I stared at the crowd and waited, not knowing how many would step forward.

The first sign of movement came from two familiar faces—the two Feline Fae I’d saved at the start of the battle. They came to the head of the group, and while holding my gaze, they threw their daggers to the ground. They placed a hand over their hearts and knelt. “For Ambrolia.”

I smiled. “For Ambrolia.”

The next group were Fonna and her companion, as well as the teen and his father. They mimicked the stance of the Felines and called in unison, “For Ambrolia.”

Slowly, more and more Fae stepped forward to follow the lead of those kneeling, calling out those same words.

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