Page 177 of Bride of the Fae Prince

The Princess

It is dawn beforeI leave the throne room. The rest of the night is a fog. Ash and I barely claim control of the palace guard before the Nothril Court does, and the entire celebration turns wild with rejoicing and bloody rebellion. At first, it seemed like the night would devolve into full-blown war between the Courts glad to be rid of Faradir and the Courts horrified at the prospect of being ruled by a human.

But after striking dead three more rebels, and Rahk leading the palace guard to regain control of Valehaven, I solidify my right to rule—regardless of the dissenters.

On Ash’s request, I’ve already abolished the law dictating that all fae must greet those with titles upon entering a room. The result? The loyal fae flooded the throne room to celebrate the end of Faradir’s reign with an absolutely disastrous amount of spirits.

I do remember the singing, though. My favorite was the song everyone sang as the sun began to rise, marking a new century. A new age.

Ash ensures Rahk’s wound is taken care of. At my request, Edvear is brought forward, and I issue him an official pardon. Ash quickly forgives him and asks for forgiveness in return for whatever happened between them earlier. He is not reinstated as Ash’s steward, but Rahk accepts his service, and he will start once the Nothril prince brings Mama Bagogs back to her Small City home.

To my surprise, Edvear brings Hylath—guided by her daughter—to pay her respects to me. Maybe it is just the exhaustion, but I cry at the sight of her and tell her so many times how much I cannot wait to have her back as my maid, if she would like that. Her drooping, severed eye tendons perk upright, and she sticks out her long tongue and wiggles it. Which I take to mean that she would love it.

After her, a new figure approaches. For the first time, the widow of the former High King meets my gaze, her eyes soft and hopeful. Her voice is quiet, but her grip is strong when I extend my hand to her. “Thank you, Majesty.”

I swallow hard. “What is your name?”

“Elara,” she breathes.

“Anything that you desire, it is yours, Elara,” I tell her, and squeeze her hand when the corners of her mouth lift in a smile.

I am more than ready to sink into the hot bath Dottie drew for me. It’s a good thing she’s there to help me, because I nearly fall asleep several times. Just as she helps me from the tub, a knock sounds on the door. I hold the towel close to my chest and, because I know who it is, say, “Come in!”

Ash enters, his hair wet from his own bathing. He wears a long silken bathrobe and an exhausted, beaming smile.

“I can take it from here,” he tells Dottie, who obediently scurries away to give us some privacy.

Once the door shuts, Ash crosses the distance between us, pulls me to his chest, tilts my face up, and claims my mouth in a long, lingering kiss.

“I don’t know about this whole ruling business,” I whisper as his kisses move to my ear. “I will do it; I know I must. But I’m still learning so much about your people and—”

His finger lands on my lips. “You will never be alone. I will be with you whenever you need me. Any aid, any help, any guidance that you require—or that you simply desire—you shall have it. Though now I’m not even sure you’ll need my protection! Now, now, don’t blush and look away.” He catches my chin again, drags my gaze back up to his. His eyes soften. “You are my brilliant, beautiful queen, and I am your loyal subject.”

“Loyal subject?” I whack him across the chest. “You and your drama! You will be atleasta prince consort. Is a king consort a real title?”

“I don’t particularly care if it is,” Ash replies, catching my wrist. “You can give me whatever funny courtly names you so desire, but my favorite shall always and ever be husband.”

With that, he scoops me up into his arms, towel and all. Suddenly, I’m not so tired anymore. Not as he carries me to our bedroom and shuts the door. He kisses me until I’ve forgotten everything but his lips and mine, and the complete and utter freedom that is now ours.

“As your advisor,” Ash murmurs against my neck, “I should like to suggest that your first act as High Queen of Faerie be to prioritize the creation of an heir.”

I cannot help my bright, beaming grin. “As the High Queen of Faerie, I think I will take your advice, my dear, handsome advisor.”

And so, for the first time, there is no fear between us. Only hope, promise, and sweet belonging.

Epilogue

The Prince

It was on Stella’sorder that a chair of equal elegance be placed beside her throne. I insisted I didn’t need one, that I was more than delighted to take my usual place—leaning against one of the grand pillars and either cleaning my fingernails or causing mischief. She only arched an eyebrow at me and said, “Maybe I just don’t like being parted from my advisor. He givesverygood advice.”

What can I say? I had no will to protest after that declaration.

So I sit in my throne beside hers while she holds court. There has been much, much to do following the end of Faradir’s reign and the beginning of a new era in Faerieland. Rahk and I have already put down a rebellion in one of the lesser courts. That has been the only blatant rebellion since Lulythinar, but there have been plenty of subtler messages, especially from the Nothril Court. There is much reform Stella and I long to make, but we cannot rush anything if we are to peacefully maintain the loyalty of the Courts.

Slowly and surely, we are rebuilding a stronger world for many centuries to come. In time, we will make Faerie a safer place for the humans who end up trapped here. For humans, for us, for our people.

But not just for them.

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