Page 73 of Their Queen

“I don’t know. Most things happen slowly over time. Like a person not recognizing the changes within themselves, but a friend who hasn’t seen them in a long time will recognize the difference,” I tried to reason out. Now that I was focused on it, I could feel what she was talking about. That explosion that had rendered us all unconscious had been Rhowyn returning the magic to its rightful place, restoring the balance as she was meant to do.

Chapter Fifty Six: Arryn

We all set about getting the troops rounded up. Titania’s soldiers would need to be marched back to the capital, and each one tried for their actions. So many times, they had been offered the chance to turn back, and they hadn’t.

It would be a busy few weeks as we set about restoring Cashel Rí and trying the members of court and soldiers, easing the public’s mind about what had transpired here today. Most would go along with the changes, but I would be a fool if I expected there to be no pushback, especially amongst the High Fae as we went about instilling equality. They’d been on top for so long that the transition would not be anything less than difficult.

Hugging Rhowyn more tightly to myself, I approached Brannoc, who was speaking with Revna, Ramund, and Cyerra. Interrupting them, I looked at Brannoc. “I think it’s time we brought Rhowyn to the castle. I’ve given orders to the troops. The soldiers will be brought back. Over the next several weeks, we need to keep our guard up.”

Brannoc nodded in agreement. “Aye. There will be those who will seek to harm our new Queen.”

“Indeed,” I said simply. Looking around, I saw Callum with an arm slung around Lennox’s shoulder as they approached, the affection and love between them evident. Baer trailed behind them, staring at both of his hands, still in awe of what Rhowyn had given him. Hell, she’d given me the thing I had most desired?a mate bond with her.

Cyerra spoke up. “I’d like to return with you as well. Rhowyn will need all the eyes and ears and support that she can get.” Her shoulders were back as if she thought we’d fight her on this.

She’d been a good friend and protector to Rhowyn, so how could we deny her. Not needing to consult the others, I said, “Of course. We’d have nothing less.” I smiled at her.

A young male fae ran up to Cyerra’s side. “If she’s going, I am too.”

Cyerra rolled her eyes at the male fae, an expression he didn’t see as he stared me down in challenge. I just laughed. “Of course. Now, come on. Let’s go home.” Callum, Baer, Lennox, and Brannoc all touched Rhowyn as Brannoc’s magic swirled around us and did just that.

Chapter Fifty Seven: Rhowyn

Apparently, I had slept for nearly five days as my body and mind healed. My men never left my side as I recovered. In their own words, to hell with the courts. They could wait.

Once I had recovered, we set about interviewing all those who had outright sided with Titania. A long and tedious process that drained me mentally and emotionally to the point that, at the end of the day, I was desperate for physical release.

In answer, Cashel Rí gave me a full MMA gym, complete with bags, mats, and pads. Everything I’d need to keep up my training. The men left me to it, but Cyerra joined me at the end of the day. On the first day, she found me there, going through my routine workout. Without hesitation, she demanded that I train her. And so, we trained and sparred. She also taught me some of her techniques, which I easily worked into my fighting style.

After the first couple of days, her shadow joined her. Loren had also requested to be trained and soaked up my instructions quickly. Both of them were naturally gifted and took to MMA like a fish to water. After the first week, my men began joining us. Our training also moved to weapons for me and Loren, both of us struggling to get a grasp on how to handle the different tools.

My life was great. It was moving forward, and each day, there were fewer and fewer outright challengers to my rule. It didn’t really matter to me what the High Fae thought about my idea to form a council to include a representative from all the races. No longer would Avalon be a feudal system. Everyone would have equal rights and say in the future of their lands. The one good thing that the US had gotten right.

I was still Queen and would have the final say, but everyone had an opportunity to voice their concerns. For the most part, I would listen to the council and their advice. After all, they knew more about what they needed than I did. It was the least I could do for them. The only time I truly exerted my power would be in times of war or if their wishes began to trod on others’ rights. It was then that I would veto their desires.

Juniper joined us after the first week, traveling back from the Keep after having heard the news. Callum’s sister also came along as we discussed restoring the Autumn Court. The leaders of the other courts would be arriving shortly. After dealing with the initial fallout and instilling a council, I would be meeting with them all after my coronation.

Sitting before my vanity, I let Juniper work her magic. Tonight, I would gain my crown. I hardly believed it. The idea was so foreign to me, but it was just another adjustment in my life that felt right. No longer did I feel the need to fight and push back against taking my place. Now, I felt like the Queen I was in name. I embodied the role and became a symbol of hope for the fae.

However, when we came back to this room at the end of the night’s festivities, I would become just Rhowyn again. Rho, Killer, Trouble, Princess, and Their Queen. Arryn would take charge, bringing us to such heights I never could have foreseen. I smiled at the thought, ready to be done with the formalities so we could continue to explore each other. With my men, sex would never grow old or stale.

“I know that smile,” Juniper teased me, and I blushed. Despite my title, she could still chastise me and give me wisdom. The mother I had never had.

“Can you blame me? If you had all that glory waiting for you, you’d be thinking the same things.”

She laughed, her fingers placing pins in my hair. “So very right you are, my Queen.” She winked at me as the last one was placed.

A knock on the door sounded out before it creeped open, Baer’s head peeking around the corner. I chuckled to myself. They always sent him to fetch me. Some things would never change. “You ready, Killer?” he asked me.

Standing, I glanced in the mirror. My gown was gold, complimenting my olive skin, sparkling and glittering in the lights of the room as I shifted. Juniper had chosen it as a physical representation of my own magic, one that had never been seen before. Now, it made me stand out, another reminder that I was Avalonia’s chosen Queen.

Each time she prepared me, I’d think I could never look better, and each time, Juniper outdid herself. Tonight was no exception. Glancing back at Baer, I found him standing fully inside the door, his mouth open at the sight of me. “You’re absolutely stunning,” he said in a whisper.

Walking toward him, I swayed my hips on purpose, a promise of what would come later. I smiled at him seductively. “You look positively edible yourself.” Leaning up on tiptoe, I kissed his lips.

A swat on my arm pulled me from sinking into him. Turning, I found Juniper glaring. “Now, now. Don’t go messing up all my hard work before anyone’s even seen you. Afterward, I don’t care what you get up to, but there will be none of that until after your coronation,” she chastised me, arms crossed over her chest and narrowed eyes that sparkled with mirth.

I laughed. “Of course. How thoughtless of me,” I teased back, taking Baer’s arm as he led me from my room. Entering our shared living space, I found the rest of my mates standing there. Another development I had been so grateful for. Along with returning Baer’s hand, I had also mated all of them. We no longer just shared the consort bond, but now, we were all true mates.

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