Varyn claps Severin on the shoulder and gives me a nod, grinning happily.
Ruby and Elowen approach and offer congratulations,the two walking very close together. And Elowen’s made herself shorter! It’s the opposite of what she did to climb the waterfall, her height contracting until she’s only a couple of feet taller than Ruby. As they turn away, I grin. They’re even holding hands!
Meloria stands frozen, her eyes flashing pure fury as her hands clench and release, like she’s trying to strangle everyone again. Her minion flutters by her side, but she ignores him.
“Banish her from Earth, or she’ll continue to play her petty games,” Severin growls in my ear as he steps close behind me. “As the winner of the competition, you currently have that power. It’s an ancient safeguard, to prevent bloodshed and preserve the sanctity of the trials.”
“I don’t know how.”
“I’ll show you.” His magic flares behind me, and mine rises to join it with a third strand of power coming from the bridal crystal. He whispers words in my ear, and I repeat them as our magic surges forward. “I banish thee, Queen Meloria of Markan. You and all who swear allegiance to you are not welcome on Earth.”
A force like a giant invisible hand plucks her up and tosses her through the sky in the direction of the waterfall and the door to Faerie. Her representative is hurled after her, and another two shadow fae are yanked from inside the palace, all of them disappearing from view.
“What an easy way to get rid of spies,” Severin murmurs. “I approve.”
I spin to face him, my heart skipping as I remember something. “If the trials are over. The temporary protectionspell for Ferndale Falls is going to stop! We need to—”
“It’s all right,” Severin strokes a soothing hand down my back, and a couple of his shadows slip free to coil around my waist and legs. “I already paid my best casters. They put the permanent spell in place yesterday.”
Shock zips through me. “But… but…” Yep, that’s me! The queen of eloquence. I finally force out, “Why? You didn’t know you’d be able to stay.”
“I’ve grown rather attached to the town. I wanted Ferndale Falls to be protected, no matter what happened here.” He brushes the back of his fingers over my cheek. “I wantedyouto be protected.”
“Thank you.” I throw my arms around him as relief crashes over me. Ferndale Falls is finally safe. “That means more than you can ever know.”
“There’s one more thing.” Severin flicks his fingers, and our marriage agreement appears in his hands.
Excitement zings through me, bubbling my blood and setting my butterflies fluttering. I get to marry him! I get to marry the man I love!
Then Severin raises the parchment and rips it down the middle, tearing my heart in two.
“Wait, what? You don’t want to marry me?” I can barely speak past the lump lodged in my throat. Oh, no. No, no, no. It really was all fake for him.
“No.” He shakes his head.
All of my butterflies die and drop to the bottom of my stomach like little stones. Oh, god. This can’t be happening. I did it. I won the trial. So why don’t I get the guy? Sure it’s only for a year, but a year with Severin would be better thana lifetime with anyone else.
“Not like that,” Severin says. “Not with such limitations.”
I gape at him. What doesthatmean?
Severin drops to one knee before me. “Hannah Wylde, will you be my wife and my queen? Not for a year and a day, but forever.”
“Forever?” It comes out as a squeak from behind the fingers I have pressed to my lower face.
“Nothing less will do,” he growls. “I lived a half-life before I met you, an existence lacking color and warmth. Then you blazed into my world, full of fire and determination. You’ve brought me joy, lighting all my shadows and showing me everything I’ve been missing.
“I love you, Hannah. I love you with everything I am, your name written upon my soul, your name whispered by every beat of my heart. You are already mine in here.” He presses his palm to the center of his chest, then extends that hand to me. “Be mine forever.”
I stop breathing, frozen in place, my whole body quivering with shock. I’ve been through so much in the last hour with all the stress of the third trial. It’s been scary and exciting and wonderful, but this…
Nothingcan touch this.
Giddy joy fills me until I feel like I can fly. He loves me.
Severin loves me!
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT