Page 74 of Their Queen

As if reinforcing that thought, Lennox spoke into my mind. “I for one, vote that we skip tonight’s festivities and instead peel that dress from your body. The pleasures we could bring you are so much greater than that of a crown.”

I laughed out loud. “Juniper would have your head if she could hear you.” In answer, Juniper indeed glared at Lennox, somehow knowing what he was thinking.

“Don’t you even dare,” she challenged him. He slunk his shoulders and held out his hands to appease her. “Now, get out there and claim what is rightfully yours.” She smiled at me, holding the door open from our suite.

Arryn claimed my other arm, the rest trailing behind me as we headed toward the throne room. Reaching the closed doors, we paused. The guards dipped their heads, speaking in unison, “Your Majesty.”

When I nodded, they swung the large doors wide, revealing the room filled to the brim with people. Like in a wedding, two sides of a single aisle were filled with chairs and benches. People stood and turned as we entered. I recognized many of the people I had met along my journey to this point. There was Commander Ashford, the red-haired hulk of a man with the bushy beard and orange hairy eyebrows. He smiled broadly at the sight of me, dipping his head as I passed by. Baer’s old outpost leader was joyous at the outcome.

There was Loki, and Aurelia was here with Aspen and Liam, and Juniper had found her seat as well. Revna and Ramund found seats in the front near Cyerra. Vivianne, the Lady of the Lake, smiled back at the sight of me, mischief and mayhem alight in her eyes. My father was also there, beaming at me proudly. He still struggled with his PTSD, but he was making strides toward healing. Our bond grew as he told me stories about his childhood and youth.

Finally, I reached the front of the room, the red carpet ending as I climbed the stairs. My men stayed put, standing tall behind me as I knelt on the pillow on the floor before my throne. My grandfather was there smiling with delight. I beamed back as he spoke, “Avalon, tonight we come together to crown our new Queen as selected by Avalonia. Tonight, the balance will be assured for the rest of Rhowyn’s reign.”

Turning to me, he asked, “Do you, Rhowyn, vow to keep the people of Avalon safe and whole? Do you vow to uphold Avalonia’s will? Will you strive for the rest of your reign to do what is best for the land?”

“I do,” I said simply. Cheers resounded, echoing in my ears painfully as my grandfather placed my crown on my head.

“Rise, Queen Rhowyn, and meet your court.” I did as he said, turning to find the smiles and joy on the faces in the crowd.

“Thank you,” I said once the cheers had started to die down. “Without all of you, this wouldn’t have been possible. So many of you helped me along the way, and I will never forget your sacrifices. I will do everything in my power to live up to the ideal you hoped for. Together, we will see Avalon thrive again.” With those words, I sat on my throne.

More cheers and whoops of joy sounded out. The soldiers, placed along the walls, beat weapons against their armor, adding to the cacophony of celebration.

My final address for the evening rang out above the noise. “Now, let us feast and celebrate the bounty and benevolence of Avalonia.”

Epilogue: Rhowyn

Six Months Later

I hadn’t expected things to take so long, the restoration and reappropriation of lands and peace. Every day, people flocked for an audience with me, seeking my assistance in rebuilding the things Titania had destroyed. Every day, I was faced with the actual horrors of what they had gone through. And every day, I was thankful that those times were over.

However, today was different. Today, I could finally focus on the future in a different way. A couple of weeks ago, I had sent soldiers to find my mother, and just an hour ago, they had been seen on the horizon. I sat on my throne, my men standing behind me as we waited for her to enter.

The doors swung open, revealing my mother in her human form. Her glamor apparently as difficult to remove as my own had been. Despite our history and the pain we’d suffered through, we both smiled at the sight of each other. The little girl in me longed to rush to her and hug her, but our relationship still wasn’t there yet. Though things had been on the mend before I had left, we still had a lot to work through.

She walked forward hesitantly, and I rose from my throne. Both of us were unsure of how to close the distance between each other. Finally, I spoke, “I’m glad you made it here safely.”

She smiled. “The soldiers were nothing short of courteous and helpful. The journey was pleasant. Although, the end is the best part. My daughter, the Queen.” She sighed out the last words, pride shining on her face.

“That I am. Although, it wasn’t easy. My consorts helped me immensely,” I said in response. Turning, I gestured for them to step forward. “Mom, I’d like you to meet Baer, Arryn, Lennox, Callum, and Brannoc. My mates and consorts.” I smiled at them all proudly.

She dipped her head in greeting. “Thank you. All of you. For keeping her safe,” she said. “You did more for her than I ever could, and for that, I will forever be in your debt.”

Just then, a side door opened, and I smiled. I hadn’t told my father what I had done. Instead, I had sent a servant to find him and request his presence. He entered with his head in a book. “What’s this about, Rho…” His words cut off as he stared at my mother in awe, halting in his tracks.

I smiled. Walking down the steps, I approached my mother, whose eyes were glued to my father’s. Touching her arm, I sent my magic into her, snapping the cage around her glamor. She gasped, and my father raced forward at the sound.

Stepping back, I allowed them to look at each other. His hands found her face, cradling it lovingly. “It’s really you.”

She nodded, a sob tearing from her throat. “You’re alive.”

“Thanks to our daughter. She rescued me,” he said, pulling his gaze from her to look at me. “Thank you.”

“Of course. You two belong together. It was the least I could do. I’m just happy to have my family back together, and I’m sorry it took me so long,” I told him.

“Nonsense. You were busy restoring Avalon. I didn’t dare ask for anything, not while you were seeing to your people,” he answered.

I smiled. “Now, I’m sure you two need a few moments to yourselves. I’ll let you two catch up, and we’ll meet for dinner tonight.”

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