Page 72 of Their Queen

I fell to my knees as my anxiety fled, a sob tearing from my throat in relief. Callum pulled me into a side hug, rubbing my back as I let out all the emotions that had coursed through me today. So much had happened. So much that I had pushed down just to make it through. And now, it was all bubbling up and refusing to let me shove it away again.

For the first time in my life, I felt like I could finally breathe. I could finally be free from the shadows my parents had cast over me. Rhowyn had done it. She freed us all.

Chapter Fifty Three: Baer

When I woke, I pushed myself up from lying face down in the dirt. My eyes caught on the hand now holding me up, the one that was no longer a nub at the end. Somehow, my hand had been restored. The missing part of me was now whole.

My eyes snapped up to see Lennox and Arryn. Lennox was kneeling before Arryn, who held Rhowyn, asking the question that was now racing through my mind. Racing over to them, my hand forgotten for the moment as my concern for Rhowyn took precedence, I waited with bated breath for Arryn’s answer. I would gladly give both of my hands and legs as long as she was okay.

Callum stormed up next to me and demanded an answer from Arryn. Finally releasing us from the moment of uncertainty, he nodded. My knees collapsed, and I exhaled deeply, tears falling from my eyes in relief. She would be okay. She was fine. And she had healed me.

Lifting both hands, I peered down at them in awe. A part of me couldn’t believe this was real. Never before had someone been restored in such a way. Magic didn’t work like that.

Flexing my fingers and turning both wrists, I realized they were fully functional. No indication that I had ever lost the hand. Looking up, I found Arryn’s eyes. “Did she do that?” he asked me.

“It’s the only explanation,” I answered him honestly. My girl had been a surprise from the very beginning, challenging everything we had thought we’d known and wanted. She did it all with mischief and her head held high, pushing through the difficulties like a charging bull in a china shop. She smashed expectations and made the world what she wanted, what she thought it should be.

I smiled then, tears of love and joy now falling as I stared at her diminutive form. Even her fae form was tiny. And yet, so much power and fire and life were contained within it. All for me. All for us.

Chapter Fifty Four: Callum

I held Lennox as he poured out his soul, everything he’d been feeling and had bottled up deep inside of him escaping now. I gave him the safety to let it all go, knowing we would forever be changed in this moment.

Looking at Rhowyn’s form cradled in Arryn’s arms, I rubbed my sternum. Our bond had changed. Something completely different now resided there. Distracted by Arryn speaking, I noticed Baer’s hands. Plural. He had them both back. Trouble couldn’t stop herself from shaking things up. A small smile creeped up onto my face at the thought.

Arryn glanced at me, still massaging my sternum with my free hand, the one that wasn’t rubbing Lennox’s back, as I held him close to me. His sobs were softening now, his mind catching up to the emotions that coursed through him. “What’s wrong?”

I shrugged with one shoulder. “Do you feel like the bond has changed? Does it feel different to you?”

His brows furrowed as his eyes became vacant, indicating that he was searching inside him and prodding the bond. He spoke as he did so, “Before I passed out, I felt a sharp pain in my chest. I wonder…” His eyes widened as his gaze focused back on mine. “Holy Shit.”

“What?” I asked him. “What is it?” My arm wrapped around Lennox tensed, squeezing him a little too tightly and causing him to lift his head to look at me. He looked at me in question, but I couldn’t look away from Arryn. I felt I knew the answer, but I feared letting myself believe it. There was no way I would say it first. My hopes now hung on Arryn’s answer as I held my breath again.

“She’s mated us,” Arryn said. My mouth dropped open in shock as I gazed at the minx still in his arms, too dumbfounded to say anything.

Chapter Fifty Five: Brannoc

That crazy little bundle of mischief had done it again. She had floored us all. I knew the others had felt left out, that they had yearned for a bond like Baer and I had with Rhowyn. Somehow, she must have known too. Her last act before passing out had been to mate them all.

I could feel them almost in the same way I could feel her. Their awe echoed my own. On a whim, I spoke in my head, “Our Queen can do anything she desires.”

Their gazes all snapped to mine, a smile spreading on my lips. They’d heard me. “Don’t look so surprised. True mates speak to each other in their thoughts. By mating you, she connected the circle. We should all be able to speak to each other this way.”

A chuckle sounded out. “This should make life at court a lot more interesting now.” Baer’s voice resounded in our heads as we all laughed. His words were so very true.

Out loud, I responded, “Perhaps we should start getting our troops together and get her to the castle?”

“Of course, she should heal more quickly at the seat of her power,” Arryn said, pushing to stand while still cradling our beloved.

Standing myself, I looked around to see the Ravens starting to come to. I was grateful beyond measure for their assistance. Without them, Rhowyn would have been consumed by the dark magic of the Fomorians. If this act didn’t earn them a spot in the kingdom, I didn’t know what would.

Granted, I knew most of them would still prefer residing in the Enclave, but now they would be able to move about and trade freely without the fear of an attack weighing on them. Rhowyn would ensure their safety, of that, I had no doubt.

Revna sat up, a look of confusion on her face as she looked around. Walking over, I lent her a hand. When she stood, she tilted her head to the side. “Do you feel it?” she asked me.

“Feel what?” It was my turn to be confused.

“The air. The earth. It all feels different now. It’s practically vibrating with energy and magic now.” Looking at me, her eyes widened. “How could we have not noticed the change? How could we go so long without this?”

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