Page 71 of Kings and Monsters

"No. It must be this way. Itwillbe this way."

As one, Bleddyn and Rosa put the swords together and drove the tips of the blades into the ground. The earth trembled beneath them, and they stepped away, Bleddyn holding onto Rosa as the power rushed out of her. The swords glowed and began to transform. Gold and black melded together and began to grow at an alarming rate.

A sapling became a tree in seconds, the combined power of the swords, transforming and moving back into the earth on either side of the borders. Around the tree, rose twelve stone seats—six black and six gold.

"It would seem that the Aos Si has decided it will be a council of twelve," Eirianwen said in awe, coming to stand beside him.

"One for each of you," he replied, even though his heart ached even saying it.

"One for Bran perhaps." Eirianwen frowned at the chairs. "I'm done being a general and a leader. Daesyn, Bran, Aiden, Madoc, and Fintan are a good start."

"I have a few Seelie in mind that would do the job admirably," Fintan said, looking at the chairs. "Being ruled by a council is a good thing, but it might take the Seelie a while to get used to the idea."

"Don't worry, Summer. I'll help you convince them," Daesyn promised with a teasing tone that reminded Bleddyn of Merlin. "The Unseelie have been ruled by our generals for centuries. They won't resist this."

"My thanks, Ash Knight. I will appreciate your support and your company." Daesyn's ears turned pink as Fintan bowed to him, and Bleddyn hid a smile.

"Can we go home now?" Rosa asked in a small voice.

"Of course. We will make our farewells and ride for the portal." Rosa nodded and went off to hug Daesyn.

"Will you take a walk about the tree with me, my lady?" Bleddyn asked Eirianwen, offering her his arm. She took it, careful not to make eye contact with him.

"You will leave so soon?" she asked once they were out of sight of the others.

"I have to. Balthasar is still caught under the curse, and I long for home," he said honestly. "I want you to come with me. I know it's selfish for me to ask that of you, but it's true. We've been alone long enough."

"There's a lot of Unseelie that need to be taken back to the Night Court. Those that were imprisoned will need an escort, and the additional council members will have to be found," she replied, her voice hitching slightly.

"I know." Bleddyn stopped walking so he could trace her face gently with his fingers, memorizing every line and curve. "You will always be welcome at Gwaed Lyn, but it's up to you to decide where you want to be. I won't force you to choose. The portal will always be open to you, should you want to visit… I hope that you will."

"You know I love you," she whispered, her eyes filling with unshed tears.

"And I love you. I'm an old, patient man. I know how to wait for someone. You willalwaysbe worth the wait," he replied, pulling her close.

"Don't you forget it either, wolf." Eirianwen stood on tiptoes so she could kiss him long and hard before their lips parted. He buried his face in the groove of her neck, breathing in her warmth and scent one last time.

Let her go, even if it kills you, he demanded, and with shaking hands and a breaking heart, he released her.

"Come on, your children need you more than I do," Eirianwen said, taking his hand and leading him back around the tree.

Bleddyn embraced Daesyn goodbye, the younger Seren Du promising to keep in contact and visit Gwaed Lyn soon. Eirianwen spoke low with Rosa, the younger woman nodding and accepting the hug that she gave her.

"You know where I'll be waiting, my lady, should you change your mind," Bleddyn murmured to Eirianwen before climbing onto his faerie horse. Rosa got up behind him, her arms coming around his waist and holding him close. He could feel the sadness and exhaustion radiating off her, so he whispered a command, and the horse shot through the night.

Bleddyn didn't look back, even though he knew that he was leaving a part of himself behind.

The night moved past them in a blur until they reached the standing stones. "God, it is weird seeing them," Rosa said behind him. "It's like it's been years and a moment."

"I know the feeling," Bleddyn replied, and the light of the portal glowed around them. There was the sickening sensation of falling and rising before they remerge by a frozen lake. The lights of the mansion glowed through the forest and Bleddyn heaved a sigh of relief.

"I'm so happy to be home," Rosa said, even as she cried.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

It had been two days since Merlin had ridden into Gwaed Lyn with the Wild Hunt, Balthasar bound and shackled. His Seren Du uncles had spoken very politely to Gwyn as they placed Balthasar in the cells under the mansion, and all were glad when the Hunt finally rode away.

"Can't wait to catch up with you in a month," Merlin had said to Gwyn with a sarcastic enthusiasm that the god hadn't noticed.

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