Page 52 of Their Queen

My mood dipped as I sobered at the memory of what I had seen. “Yes. It’s true,” I whispered, confirming her worst fears.

“Oh, child. Don’t blame yourself. This is all on Titania,” she tried consoling me, reading my mood correctly.

I gave her a sad smile. “I know. It still doesn’t mean I don’t feel guilty that they had to be in that position in the first place. I wish I had been strong enough to end things after I completed the ascension. It would have saved everyone so much hurt and turmoil.”

She stopped me just outside of the throne room. “One thing I have learned in my long life is that Avalonia always has a plan. As painful as some things are to face, to admit, she does know what she’s doing, and she plans to use you to deliver us all from Titania’s grasp. Believe in that and know that the horrible things that are happening are not your fault. For too long, our people ignored what was happening, hiding our heads in the sand, waiting for someone else to deal with our problems. Now, we must face the consequences of turning a blind eye to what was occurring right under our noses. This is not on you.”

I smiled again, my eyes watering. “Thank you, Juniper.” Somehow, this woman always knew what to say to help me, and I was grateful that she was here with us now. At least here, I could keep her safe. At Cashel Rí, she was constantly in danger, and I was glad I’d have the chance to keep her with me for a while longer.

She smiled in return. “Now, what was it you really needed to speak with me about?”

Arching a brow, I led the way to the War Room. Once we were all inside, I turned to the woman. “My father had said that when he began his final assault on the Queen, he entrusted you with some books. I was hoping that you had brought them with you.”

She gasped in response to my question. “Jonathan’s your father? You found him?” Her hand fluttered near her throat, eyes wide with shock.

“Oh, shit. I didn’t tell you. I thought I had, I’m so sorry. I would have said something sooner, but yes, when we broke Jude out of the dungeons, we also saved my father, Jonathan.”

Her eyes watered, and she gasped out a sob. “He lives,” she whispered. I gave her time to come to terms with that information as guilt assaulted me for not having told her sooner. Finally, she looked back up to me. “Where is he? Can I see him?”

I blushed and grimaced. “He went to inspect some ruins with Callum and Cyerra. I expect him back later tonight or first thing in the morning. However, he’s doing well. Before he left, we were looking into some ruins that Titania has been fascinated with for the last several decades. He said he remembered reading something about it in his books that he left with you?”

“Yes, dear. I’ve got them in my satchel back on my horse. He entrusted me with them, and I couldn’t leave them behind,” she said, rushing back out to fetch them.

While I waited, I blew out a breath and turned to Arryn. “What did you do with the orb?”

“I hid it in our room. I’ll show you exactly where, but it’s safe.” He pulled me into a hug. “You know she’s right, don’t you?”

I sighed, hugging him back. “I do. Although, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to release myself from the full responsibility of what’s happening to those innocents. They didn’t ask for any of this.”

He kissed the top of my head. “And yet, they also ignored the threat, hoping that if they didn’t get involved, it would all go away. They do bear some of the burden that you’re carrying. I agree, they don’t deserve to be punished for it, but they did know something was wrong for a long time before this.”

“You’re right,” I sighed out, squeezing him tighter, stepping away as Juniper re-entered with her satchel. She placed it on the table and pulled out three large and ancient tomes.

“Do you know which one it might have been?” she asked me.

“He didn’t say, but I would like to scan through these,” I told her as I ran a hand over the covers. “You can go get settled. I’ll let you know if I need anything or when my father returns.”

She nodded. “Of course. Although, I do have one request, if I may?”

“Anything.”

“I’d like to stay on as your ladies’ maid. It’s something I’m good at, and it makes me feel useful,” she requested, wringing her hands together.

“Of course. I’d have no one else for the job.” I beamed at her, glad to have her services again. She truly did work magic on my appearance. “Find Lady Aurelia, and she’ll show you around once she’s finished processing all the new arrivals.”

“I’ll leave you to it then.” She dipped into a curtsey before leaving. I smiled at her retreating form. Once she was out of sight, I turned back to the books. Pulling up a chair, I sat down in front of the table. I looked up to my consorts. “I know I should probably be sleeping, resting for what comes next, but I know I won’t be able to, not until the others return.”

“I understand,” Baer said, smiling at me as he pulled out a chair. “What can we help with?”

“Honestly, I’d rather be alone while I go through these. Brannoc needs sleep and food,” I scolded, narrowing my eyes at him, daring him to challenge me on this.

“That I do,” he admitted, bending down to give me a deep kiss, claiming my mouth and pushing everything from my mind as I submitted to his demanding lips. He withdrew slowly with a cocky smirk. “I’ll just leave you with that. If you want more, you know where to find me.”

I laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Baer and Lennox made their excuses, leaving Arryn and I there with the tomes. Instead of leaving me as well, he sat in the chair Baer had pulled out. “Two heads are better than one. Hopefully, with both of us going through these, we can find what Jonathan was talking about.”

I nodded, opened the first book, and was immediately absorbed into the history of Avalon.

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