Page 1 of Once the Skies Fade

Chapter 1

Calla

Death was a greedy bitch. Taking one life—two, even—could not satisfy her. No, her ravenous darkness craved the hearts of those left to mourn. We still drew breath, sure, but from air rancid with death’s foul touch. Forced to live on in a world robbed of love and laughter, we remained behind only to watch everyone else move on. Would our pain ever ease?

I’d been wondering that for the past three months.

That’s when Death came for my parents, drowning them in the Laraburn Sea on their voyage back from Dolobare and leaving me to rule my kingdom well before I was ready. The bitch might as well have taken me under those waters too, with how poor a job I was doing as the new Queen of Arenysen.

Three months.

Three months and I still had no answers surrounding their deaths, and no idea how to rule in their absence.

Thank the stars I didn’t have to govern alone. Try as they might though, neither my best friend, Isa, nor my husband, Brennan, knew how to help me heal. They’d at least agreed not to have a memorial service, instead instituting an official Day of Mourning for our citizens, but they’d refused to cancel today’sfestivities. Apparently the day of my birth was something to celebrate no matter how persistent my grief.

I’d agreed, as long as they didn’t require me to dance. It was the last thing I wanted to do—aside from stand here surrounded by hundreds of guests—even if Brennan was exceptionally light on his feet. Standing there in my usual corner, watching the crowd as I always had my whole life, I wondered if perhaps twirling around the floor would have been a better alternative to the incessant chatter of near strangers.

My mother had made these parties look easy, greeting each guest—fae and human alike—as if they were the most important in attendance. Not once had she complained about the pain from donning a constant smile, the ache in her feet, or the exhaustion that overcame her after so many hours. She could have shooed everyone out the door promptly at the end of the night, but she never rushed anyone, always listened, and genuinely cared for them. In short, she’d been the type of queen I wanted to be but sorely wasn’t…yet.

A glass of wine floated into view, demanding my attention. Isa’s smiling face appeared as she shoved the drink into my hand.

“Your mother would have loved this party,” she said quietly, drumming her fingers on the pommel of her sword. As general of the Arenysen army, she declined the usual gowns the females wore to these functions, favoring instead her formal uniform. I might have keeled over from the shock alone if she ever attended one of these in something remotely resembling a dress.

“Birthdays were always her favorite,” I noted. I took a long sip. If only I could drown myself in the small glass, I could avoid the inevitably awkward farewells. I cringed at the inappropriate thought as an image of a sinking ship flashed into my mind. It disappeared when Isa clinked her glass against mine.

“Happy birthday, by the way.”

“Thank you,” I muttered half-heartedly.

Brennan slid up beside me and squeezed my hand as he kissed my temple. “Happy birthday,” he echoed into my ear. All I could do was hum quietly in response. Isa snatched another glass from a passing server and offered it to Brennan. When he declined it with a wave of his hand, I took it from her instead, ignoring their stares as I downed the wine quickly.

Thankfully, neither of them commented, and instead Isa addressed Brennan. “It’s a shame your brother and his wife couldn’t be here. It would have been nice to see them again.”

Brennan nodded along as she spoke. “Agreed. It’s been too long since we’ve been able to visit, but they’ve been kept busy, as I’m sure you know.”

“Yes, of course,” she said. “Their general contacted me months ago with a request to aid in his search.”

“Have they still not found the remaining rebels?” I asked. Isa shook her head silently. “I’m still curious why we didn’t experience the same sort of attacks here in Arenysen.”

Isa pursed her lips. “I’ve wondered the same, honestly, especially with the rumors of growing animosity toward fae in the southern kingdoms.” She pointed a finger at my husband’s chest. “I mean, that is why your father pushed so hard for this marriage, is it not?”

“Indeed,” Brennan said and lifted our clasped hands so he could kiss the back of mine. “I’m just thankful our Calla, here, chose me out of all her other suitors. Stars know she could have had anyone she wanted.”

Isa leaned toward me and loudly whispered, “And still can, by the way.”

Mischief flashed in Brennan’s eyes as he quirked a brow. “Over my dead body, general.”

“Don’t say that too loudly, Your Majesty,” Isa said, looking around the room suspiciously. “You never know who here might take it as invitation.”

My palms itched. I yanked my hand free from Brennan’s and squeezed them into fists behind my back. A groan rumbled out of me. “That’s enough, you two,” I said. “No more talk of death and dying and?—”

“Sorry,” they said in unison.

Brennan pulled me to him and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “You’re right, my queen. Today is to be a happy day, all about you.”

“A day I wish would end already,” I said. My eyes began to well with tears I did not—could not—dare shed here in front of everyone.

Isa’s hand lightly rested between my shoulder blades. “Soon, friend. Soon enough. Just a little longer.”

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