Page 76 of Dark Fae's Destiny

“I don’t feel like I’ve settled,” I say as I feel a smile blossom all through me. “I feel like I’ve won.”

“You have.” Alleno is serious now as he watches me. “Your beloveds and most of our allies survived not only vanquishing your father for the Summer Fae but also fighting the Vampire Council of Rome, and the Gold Eyes. You’re thrice blessed, Lucca Bellari… and now you get to have your happily ever after. Even though the rest of your life will be filled with political agendas, of course.”

Alleno smiles at this last bit, knowing how extremely busy Ariana, Quinn, and I will be, sitting on our various Councils. Because I’m on the Summer Fae Council now, while Ariana has a seat on the newly formed Dark Fae Alliance with Master Ilyov and Lady Eiseth. Quinn now sits on the reformed, and quite a lot more egalitarian, Vampire Council of Rome, which includes Gunther Spielmann, that Asian Mistress who helped us, and many more who once attended his annual Meeting of the Havens.

Alleno sits the Summer Fae Council with me, along with his uncle Phelio Massi, who is still the pinnacle of the Darkwatch. Ariana’s parents do, as well, along with Commander Junius, Bello Bellissimo, and others who were sympathetic to the rebellion.

Though monarchy has been abolished amongst the Summer Fae, and Rome reopened to us, thanks to our new understanding with the Vampires, the tide of revolution has begun to sweep other Fae Lineages, as well. Many have sent emissaries to us, either to requisition our help to abolish monarchy in their own Lineage, or simply see how it’s working out for us.

The Summer Fae Council, which has taken over the Palace of Light here in Florence, includes seats for elected members from the Royal Houses, the High Houses, and the Low. Magistros seats mix with Scuola seats, Darkwatch shadows sit side-by-side with Brightwatch commanders, and neighborhood leaders from all over Florence.

Peace reigns with the Council’s new edicts, opening up communication, trade, and repairing relations not just with the Forbidden Lineages, but quite a lot more. An age of progress has begun for the Summer Fae.

And we’re all going to be crazy busy figuring it out.

“I don’t mind a bit of political squabbling for my last many centuries.” I grin now, feeling excited at the prospect of it. “Even though we no longer have our Music, I feel Quinn’s influence inside me even more than ever before, with how close we’ve bonded these past months. I feel like it’s high time I got to give a few political lashings with my tongue to those who are still being stubborn about modernization.”

“Combined with Ariana’s convincing soul-presence and your most passionate heart.” Alleno shakes his head now, grinning. “A formidable combination to any who oppose you. Truly.”

“Truly.” I grin back at him as I laugh. It feels good to laugh and have so much joy after all the hardship I’ve endured in my life. I laugh again, just because it feels amazing, making me feel free and mighty all at once.

As I do, my massive Dark Summer Fae aura spreads from me in a surging wave through the glade. Darker than my bright rainbows used to be, they’re more beautiful now, dazzling through the late afternoon sunlight as they shift all through with midnight cobalt, silver, sky-blue, and gold.

Alleno watches it for a long moment, smiling. He looks at me, and so much is in his eyes, as we understand each other.

“Feels good to be free,” Alleno says as he stares down at me from atop Altenni. Unconcerned by our talk, she’s fluffed down in the tall grass of the glade, waiting out our conversation until it’s time to take off.

“Feels amazing,” I concur, nodding. I jut my chin at Alleno as I set my hands on my hips. “Are you going to stay in the Darkwatch?”

“Am I always going to be a barnacle on your ass, watching out for you?” Alleno counters with a knowing smile, lifting an eyebrow at me. “Yes. As for remaining in the Darkwatch, though… I don’t know. Adicus said he’s moving all his horses and hounds to Ariana’s property, since they’re basically moving the entire farm into the Twilight Realm. Said he’ll need someone to look after them, since he’ll be at the Palace so much, working with the Council. I’m thinking about it.”

“You’d be good with Adicus’ animals. Someone needs to oversee the Summers manor when Adicus and Illyria aren’t there. You’d have the place to yourself. Except for when your lovely Devi visits, as you know she would frequently, to check up on Quinn. And you.”

I know Alleno feels nearly as nomadic as I do right now, since he’s barely been at his old apartments in the palace at all since everything went down.

Now that I’m no longer there, he doesn’t feel any reason to stay among the Council and their families, who have taken up residence at the Palace of Light. I know he’s been sleeping out in the forest more nights than not, staring up at the stars, like the ancient Fae of old.

At least, the nights he’s not at Devi’s apartment at the Hotel, getting fucked rotten.

“In any case, I should get going.” Alleno juts his chin at Altenni, fluffed so far down now, her good eye has slipped closed, her beak tucked into her chest as he chuckles affectionately. “She’s going to pass out before I can even get her to the Altvie estate with this tree. Lazy owl.”

“Hey, it’s still technically her sleep hours.” I grin at him. “She’s doing us a favor to be up at this time of day.”

I cluck my tongue at Altenni and she straightens so fast, she nearly makes Alleno fall off backwards.

They’re ready to go now, however, as I stroke Altenni’s neck feathers and give her a good scratch.

“Remember,” I say as I eyeball Alleno, “Don’t put the tree anywhere Ariana will see it. Not before it’s time.”

“I’m not a complete idiot.” He chuckles as he gets a fistful of Altenni’s feathers, ready to fly. “I’ll make sure the tree is well-hidden before you get there. I do have the perfect magic for that, you know.”

“I do know.” I give Altenni a firm pat. “Okay, get going. I’ll see you there later tonight.”

“Sounds good.”

Alleno gives Altenni a firm cluck with his tongue, and they’re off. With a powerful thrust of her massive wings, she takes them up, soaring effortlessly through the deepening blue sky as they fly back towards the Altvie manor in Florence.

I head back to a white Maserati now, parked at the edge of the glade, one Alleno brought. As I lift the passenger door, I see a change of clothing, just as I asked him to bring.

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