Page 49 of Eternal Mate

With a deep breath, I followed Bim as he pushed the ornate doors to Lucia's chambers open. The room was bathed in soft, warm light, casting a gentle glow upon Lucia and Sariel, who stood together, engaged in a hushed conversation.

"Sariel!" I exclaimed, rushing into his embrace. "I was so worried!"

He held me tightly, his voice filled with warmth. "It's fine. Tarragon is gone, Blossom is grieving, and the soldiers seem to have shifted their allegiance to Lucia."

As we stood there, reveling in our reunion, Lucia smiled at us with a tired eye. "Thank you for everything you've done. With Tarragon gone, you won't have any more trouble from the Free Kingdom. I will be crowned queen as soon as possible, and we'll get your Upper Council sorted. This madness is finally going to be fucking over."

She sighed in relief, going lax in her chair, and I nodded to her, a sense of purpose burning within me.

"We will be there for the coronation," Sariel insisted, obviously picking up the conversation I'd interrupted with my arrival. "We need to ensure that everything goes according to plan. Blossom is still alive, and her presence might complicate matters."

Lucia's expression softened, and she let out a sigh. "You don't need to worry about Blossom. Despite her grief, she’s expecting another child. I believe she will go quietly in a desire to raise her baby in peace, free from the ghost of Tarragon that haunts us all."

A mix of surprise and understanding washed over me. Despite her pain, Blossom was apparently finding comfort in the life growing within her. It was a chance for redemption, a new beginning—a child of her own, just like she'd always wanted.

"Still, we want to be here to support you," I said, smiling gently as she bounced Mikaiah.

Lucia nodded appreciatively, cradling my niece in her arms. The baby girl stirred, her tiny fingers reaching out like they were seeking connection. I couldn't help but be captivated by the innocence and purity radiating from her.

"I named her Mikaiah," Lucia said softly, her voice filled with tenderness. "After Mikey."

Sariel’s emotions spiked at the admittance, his eyes fluttering a bit before he tamped them back down.

I gently stroked Mikaiah's cheek, feeling a surge of love and protectiveness. She symbolized the strength and love that could arise from the ashes of tragedy. In her innocent eyes, I saw the potential for a world where darkness would be overcome by the light.

As I glanced at Sariel, I could see the awe and adoration mirrored in his gaze. We had both faced our own demons and experienced loss and despair, but at this moment, we were reminded that life held infinite possibilities for healing and growth.

Lucia's voice interrupted my reverie, bringing me back to the present. "We will proceed with the coronation as soon as possible. I'm glad to have you both by my side; your support means the world to me."

"We'll be there, Lucia," Sariel affirmed.

"In the meantime, you two are welcome to your old rooms. I'm going to need a bit to recover from… you know, giving birth and killing a King."

Her joke fell a bit flat, but I tried to give her a smile.

"You're amazing," I told her, and she gave me a genuine smirk, shrugging.

"What can I say? We do what we have to." With that, she lets out a heavy breath. "Forgive me; I will let Bim show you the way. We need a nap."

I was hesitant to leave her vulnerable and alone, but I reminded myself that she was a powerful, centuries-old badass and didn’t need our help.

Bim stepped into the room, bouncing on his heels. Sariel relaxed at the sight of the goofy guard.

"It's good to see you, Bim; I meant to say so earlier," Sariel said. He sounded sheepish, rubbing at the back of his neck.

The guard shrugged, a playful grin stretching across his face. "No worries, mate. I'm always here, ready to brighten your day with my charming presence."

Sariel chuckled, his tension easing as he exchanged banter with Bim. It was a welcome respite amidst the heaviness of the recent events. Bim gestured for us to follow him, his energetic steps leading us back through the familiar hallways of the palace.

As we walked, Bim couldn't help but share more details about Lucia's plan, his words flowing effortlessly as he filled us in on the intricacies of their covert operation. I got the feeling that he just liked having someone to talk to. He spoke of late-night strategy sessions, secret meetings held in hidden chambers, and the intricate web of alliances they had woven to ensure the success of their mission.

"But you know," Bim said, his voice lowering to a conspiratorial tone, "it wasn't just about taking down Tarragon. Lucia had a vision for a better kingdom, where every citizen would have a voice and their rights would be protected."

The puzzle pieces were slowly falling into place, revealing the depth of Lucia's commitment to her people and the sacrifices she’d been willing to make. We'd already known, of course, but it's different hearing it from someone who was present to participate in her rebellion.

Bim's animated gestures emphasized his words. "She wanted to save our children—not all of us were happily handing them over, I'm sure you realize—and they wouldn't listen. When they tried to take her kid? Mm, that was a rough meeting. Lady Lucia was furious."

A sense of awe washed over me, mingling with the gratitude I had for being entrusted with a vital role in this grand transformation. A journey that had started with a desire for justice had evolved into something far more significant—a chance to build a kingdom where compassion, fairness, and unity would prevail.

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