Page 20 of Finding Closure

They were everywhere. People had red cloth of all types hanging from their windows with magic. Sheets, towels, shirts, pants—anything they had.

“I don’t understand,” I admitted, my tired brain not able to process it.

“I hung mine to say you’re a good leader and to leave you alone, Your Highness,” a woman said as she joined us but kept a respectful distance.

“I hung mine to say thanks for waking me and my family and for the rest stop,” a man called over. “I haven’t felt this level ofcommunity in a while. We eat there and help out too. And I’m not scared of the light fairies I see there. It’s a nice introduction to them because I ain’t ever met any before.”

Dozens of people gave me their reasons ranging from thanks to that they prayed to the gods that they accepted my parents into Paradise and I lived a happy life. It was all sopositiveand loving that I cried.

Happy tears this time.

And it was all over that city in the dark realm. There was red cloth everywhere I looked and people wearing red clothes even. It was honestly ridiculous if the meaning wasn’t so touching.

“I don’t like red, but I wear for princess,” a little girl announced proudly. People went tense that she said something so brazen to a royal, but I loved it.

I moved closer to her and squatted down in front of her, making magic flowers for her in purple which was her favorite color from her thoughts. “I actually hated red too because people picked on my hair. Until I saw it was the color of my dad’s hair. Then I liked it.”

She giggled and took the flowers with a thank-you.

“It’s not just here, my precious daughter,” Lageos said as he hugged me. “It’s all over both realms. Fairies all over are showing their support of you.”

That was amazing—beyond amazing and meant everything to me. It really did.

6

I’d actually finished my midterms Wednesday, so I had a few extra days of break and the press conference had been on Thursday. Friday morning, Hudson talked me into cleansing early since I obviously needed it.

The day before, I’d shown everyone about the power crystals I’d made and Neldor had promised he’d handle getting them set up and labeled for any fairy to test themselves against. I didn’t really care. I felt bad for being so petty and wasting magic to let the haters get at me.

I should be above that, and I said as much to Hudson. He disagreed, and the moment a ruler—any leader—became numb like that, they stopped caring to fix the problems. He also thought it was why I had five mates and needed more love than a normal woman.

Maybe. Maybe he had a point.

He really wanted to go flying first, and I thought River was just anxious and wanted attention, but then I realized it was so Hudson could show me how many red flags were flying all around both realms. It really helped my mental state.

I heard a few thoughts that River was worried about Hudson and decided to give my dragon a fantasy he really wanted—something I wanted to give him. I warned my security that I was going to be dirty with my mate and to give us some space beforetelling River to follow me. I sped off, laughing when the dragon roared as he struggled to keep up.

I found a secluded area in my lands and landed like a missile just outside of them so there was more than enough room for River. He was landing when I jogged off into the forest so he could see which way I went.

And I was completely naked too when he found me.

“Suddenly, I don’t feel like yelling at you,” he groaned as he reached for me.

I chuckled as he pulled me close and kissed me desperately, giving him the same back. I slowed it down and met his confused, pretty eyes. “If it was just us and all aboutus, I would marry you right now, beastie.”

“What?” he gasped, his mouth falling open.

I nodded. “Be my husband, Hudson. Just for us. Let me be your wife?” I felt awkward saying it, but he’d been hurting that I would marry Julian and push back our wedding for at least another year.

Silly dragon. It wasn’t that I loved him any less. It was the pomp and crazy that I couldn’t handle.

“You’re serious,” he whispered, shocked in almost an amusing way.

I nodded as I cupped his cheek, smiling when he rubbed his skin against mine. “I love you so,somuch, Hudson Vogel. More than I could ever put into words. You’re mine and I’m yours.”

“Promise me we’ll mate one day,” he begged.

“We’ll mate one day,” I immediately said, ignoring when he did a double take and his eyes went bug wide. “Be my husband.”

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