Page 70 of Kings and Monsters

"Thank you, Rosa."

"Argh, for what?" she asked, staring, wide-eyed, over Eirianwen's shoulder.

"For not hesitating and finally killing her." Eirianwen released her, and it didn't surprise Bleddyn to see the unshed tears in her eyes. "You don't know what this means for all of us. For thousands of years, this land has been oppressed. Can you not feel the magic shifting back? It is like the world is righting itself, and it's because of you."

"You're welcome," Rosa replied. "Bleddyn wants to take the Seelie to the Day Court. Will you come with us?"

"Of course," Eirianwen said, giving Bleddyn a warm look that made him want to kiss her. She wouldn't welcome such a public display of affection, no matter how good of a mood she was in. They had spent the previous evenings making up for lost time, and he couldn't believe they were both still standing.

Within half an hour, they started to move out, an exodus of fae walking and talking together. Bleddyn knew that it could be an unsteady peace, but he had a plan to make the power flow equally. No more kings and queens. No way ever to disturb the balance again.

Rosa was shimmering with magic, and he hoped that when the time came, her love for Balthasar would be strong enough for her to let it all go.

Bleddyn looked at Eirianwen, wondering how he would leave her again. He wanted to ask her to come with them to Gwaed Lyn, but how could he? The Unseelie looked to her more than they did to him. He couldn't be that selfish even if a part of him wanted to be.

"It still stands," Eirianwen said. The forest cleared, and the Day Court rose in front of them. It was stripped of leaves for the oncoming winter, its once lustrous bark a dull grey in the afternoon light.

"Aeronwen's wards are gone," Fintan said with a smile. "She had always made sure that no one could find this place, let alonereturn to it. There are some amongst us that are too young to have seen it."

"It used to have pale green and gold leaves," Eirianwen replied, looking at it with a dreamy smile. "I used to love visits to the Day Court with my grandmother. I'm sure the Seelie will love it again when it's restored."

"I can do it," Rosa said, her voice changing and eyes glazing over. Before Bleddyn could warn or assist her, she placed her hand on the decayed wooden entranceway. The Seelie shuddered as Rosa pulled magic to her like a magnet. This was Summer Magic, and Bleddyn's own power shied away from it.

"By the gods," Fintan hissed. "I've never felt anything like this before."

"Aeronwen hoarded magic like a dragon hordes gold. She would've kept her own people from having too much." Bleddyn glanced at Rosa with a smile. "Rosa's always been generous with the people she cared about, and you are hers now."

Magic rushed up the trunk of the Day Court, changing the bark from grey to shimmering rose gold. Rosa was glowing with golden light as she placed the Seelie sword into the lock on the gates. Decay fell away from it, and they slowly opened with a groan.

The Seelie edged forward one at a time with wide eyes, and they walked through the gates. Rosa removed her sword and rejoined Bleddyn, getting out of the way and watching the mixture of surprise and joy on their faces.

"What next?" she asked him. "If I don't let this crown go soon, Bleddyn, I don't know if I ever will. I can feel it…eating at me."

"We need to get to the border. It isn't far," Bleddyn soothed before turning to Eirianwen. "Can you get the generals and Daesyn and Fintan?"

"I will be as quick as I can," Eirianwen said, casting a worried glance in Rosa's direction.

Bleddyn helped Rosa onto a faerie mount and swung up behind her, holding her steady in the circle of his arms. He didn't wait for the others to join them, but headed straight for the place he had in mind, knowing that Eirianwen would be able to track him easily. It was dusk when they arrived.

"Time between times," Rosa mumbled, looking around at the growing shadows.

Bleddyn held her hand, keeping the magic flowing in her steady as they reached the borderline. He unsheathedWidows Fury, taking a long look at it. Rosa did the same, the magic glowing between them.

"They really are very beautiful," she said, a little sadly.

"I know, dear one, and they have shaped the fate of the Aos Si for too long. It's time to give all of the fae a new fate."

"Do you think the fae will be able to handle not having a monarchy?" Rosa asked.

"They will get used to it."

Eirianwen and the others arrived soon after Bleddyn explained what he wanted to do. They watched the two Seren Dus carefully as if they couldn't handle one more miracle that day.

"What are you doing, Bleddyn?" Eirianwen asked uneasily.

"We are going to make sure that no one can ever abuse the power of these swords ever again. No more kings and queens," he said firmly. "As a final royal action, we—the last king and queen of the Aos Si—have decided that a council of Seelie and Unseelie will now govern these lands to ensure the balance is never disturbed again."

"But, Sire, please consider what you are about to do! If you don't want the crown, hand it on to someone else," Madoc tried to argue, but Bleddyn silenced him with a look.

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