Page 4 of Finding Closure

“I’ll come do some of my training here the next couple of weeks,” I told Gambit. “Check on our girl and we’ll go for rides or just runs so you keep fit for her and get this energy out.” I gave him a look that it wasn’t up for debate.

He got it, but his request was someone stayed with Amethyst and the twins then, not just the caretaker was around.

Overbearing but fair. He was—he’d been through a lot and was worried about losing anyone else. More than fair.

I did one better and said I would have two Guardians stationed here just for them for the time being. At least while Amethyst was vulnerable and the twins were getting their sea legs.

Gambit gave me all of the kisses. I also said I’d leave a few fae dogs to do laps around the area and make sure nothing was off.

“How does it feel?” Izzy asked me as we wiped down the twins. They weren’t like dirty, dirty, but they stumbled a lot and… They were babies.

“You feel it too,” I chuckled. “Being around them is like touching happiness. It’s just a bummer we can’t give them names, but I get how it is with fair folk.”

“No, I meant being in Faerie now that the connection is cut,” she whispered, clearly worried she was overstepping.

“Like this is home now instead of a threat and most of my anxiety,” I admitted. I glanced around at the grounds. “I feel like I’m seeing Faerie for the first time almost, and now I can finally see what others have been telling me about.”

“That’s a lot,” she hedged.

“Yeah, it is, but that’s why I’m taking it slow or at my pace. Some wouldn’t want me to do this until I’m queen, but… This is what I need. I want to feel things are ready for me, not the other way around, you know?”

“No, not at all, but that’s okay because I get wanting to feel more comfortable and settled.”

And then she looked away from me like she was uncomfortable. So clearly, something was going on with that.

Izzy would tell me when she was ready. I was someone who needed to be pushed, but she’d been pushed too much, and now she needed people who accepted her timeframe.

So we just babied the babies and enjoyed our morning. It was exactly what we both needed.

2

A lot happened over the next few weeks. That was always my life, but I wouldn’t bury my potential mother-in-law and the woman who killed my mother ever again… So not the same as normal.

We kept it low-key which wasn’t normal for a queen, but no one could forget what she’d done either. Neldor and Taeral seemed at a loss because if this day ever came, it wasn’t what they’d expected. She didn’t have the fanfare and… It was tough.

It was really,reallytough on both of them. Katrina and I were both worried and there for them every step of the process.

I did an interview with our media and told our people what happened. I was honest and said that I wouldn’t blame people if they found it hard to believe—there were still things like that for me—but all I asked was people be respectful. They could have their doubts that I missed something or didn’t fully understand, but if they overstepped into calling me a liar…

I wouldn’t let that go. The woman had killed my mother and caused me to be raised in a way no fairy should. I didn’t forgive her.

I simply understood her better, and we all needed to be a bit better to each other. And it had nothing to do with Neldor or him being my fated mate. I could separate like that.

I was very proud of Faerie though. People turned up in droves to leave flowers at Elora’s castle. They did interviews saying that they didn’t forgive her either, but they were sorry they hadn’t done better by her. She was their shield and they hadn’t supported her and had ignored the signs she was in a bad place.

That helped Neldor and Taeral—all of the dark fairies who had loved Elora a lot. It was a start to the healing we all needed to have some real closure.

At least in my mind.

Neldor and others close to Elora seemed a bit lighter after it was over. The service was small but still held to most of the traditions. They just seemed… Relieved? I think Onas especially thought there was going to be some sort of attack or uprising because they were giving her a sendoff when she was a criminal.

I think everyone understood it was more complicated than that now. It was why I kept giving interviews which I fucking hated.

“I know you guys don’t have funerals like humans—I understand the traditions, but I think there’s a part of what humans do that’s important,” I told them all after it was done. “Come with me.”

Fairies were too curious to not do as I said. Katrina and a few others knew since they’d helped me set it all up. “It” being the luncheon after. Fairies didn’t really have that. Once the tomb was sealed, it was done and that was the end. They had a lot more preparation and lead-up.

It was nice. Very focused on the circle of life, but… Sometimes you needed a bit to decompress too.

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