Page 175 of Court of the Fae Princes

“Are you all right to travel back to the Summer Court without me?” Lady Nova asks. “The House of War wants me to stick around and keep an eye out here after everything that happened with the Keeper of Death.”

Smart idea.

“Of course! The five of us should make the journey easily.” I pause, thinking about their conditions. They’ll most definitely need a few days of rest and healing first, though.

She gives me a sharp look. “Keep training. Powers like yours, that have been tapped into only after finding your mates, are rare. That power will be the kind we haven’t seen in ages. You need to learn to harness it and control it.”

“Wait. Is that why they surfaced now?”

Lady Nova nods, adding, “It’s very rare. Only a handful of occurrences in our recorded history. You’re remarkable, Lady Cassia.” And she sounds sincere.

She pulls me into an unexpected hug, and I can’t help but to think these past few days with her have been the closest thing to having a sisterly relationship I’ve ever had. She’s taken the time to teach me and encourage me and even protect me. I’ll never forget everything she’s done for me.

“Do you have time to escort me to my soon-to-be-husbands?” I ask, not wanting us to separate just yet.

Without her help, we all wouldn’t be here.

“Absolutely, Queen Cassia,” she says, taking my hand in hers.

TWENTY

Cassia

A hush falls over the assembled fae as I step into the grand throne room and see my husbands-to-be. All four stand tall, marks from their torture still visible in the still healing wounds and bruises on every inch of their exposed skin, but they’re no longer just barely breathing. Strength has been restored to them, which is surprising, given where we are. They wear suits that seem tailored to fit them: a dark orange one for Prince Forrest, a blue one for Prince Cobar, a white one for Prince Zane, and a deep green one for Prince Sulien.

My stomach clenches. They look handsome and strong. Every bit the rulers of the Fae Kingdom.

And I’m going to be their queen.

Lady Nova slips away from me, joining the people standing on one side of the aisle. Only the living are in attendance, and I’m beyond grateful for that. I’ve never pictured what my wedding would be like, but even so, I’m firmly in the court of not wanting the dead here, although I can still feel them. Those threads from them to me are as strong as ever.

Because I’m a fae from the House of Death, like my mother.

It’s strange. This is my mother’s home. My mother’s lands. And yet, I wish my father and grandmother could be here with me now. They’re the only thing that’s missing.

Harps begin to play a song as old as time, and I force myself to move forward, white flowers cover the black silk fabric beneath my feet, delicate and beautiful. My gaze locks with Sulien’s, and the look on his face takes my breath away. He looks… amazed. As do the other men. Insecurity makes me wonder if it’s the black dress, but I know deep down it isn’t. It’s me. Just like I’m overcome by them, they’re overcome by me.

I can’t believe fate led us to one another.

When I reach them, I don’t know what comes over me. I have to touch them, all of them. I have to know they’re really here and safe. My hands run over their arms, their chests, and their faces. I might look crazy, but I’m studying every bruise, every wound. They’re going to be okay. They are. Unlike when I was hurt, both their bodies and magic were tested by my mother, so their wounds were harder to heal. They would take time, but the healers promised me that they would be fine again soon.

Tears gather in my eyes. “You’re here.”

“Where else would we be?” Cobar teases.

And you’re okay. The music continues playing.

“We’ll heal,” Zane says, and it sounds like a promise.

“I’ve been through worse,” Forrest responds gruffly.

We laugh, and Cobar elbows him.

Then I face Sulien. “You’re okay?”

He’s quiet for a moment before he nods his head.

I reach out and touch his face again, and his auburn eyes meet mine. “You don’t look okay.”

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