Page 99 of The Light Falls
He shoves something into my hands. “My body will repair itself. Give it a minute. My father happened.” His eyes move to Vargas. “Something you said made Fisk believe it was my father who killed his grandson, Kaius.”
Vargas frowns. “He asked me about Kaius’ memories, but the only thing I could recall was a flash of light and a beautiful fire. Why?”
Understanding dawns in Rivan’s eyes. “When phoenix regenerate, they emit faery fire. It’s blue-green light. Very bright. Fisk only told four people. Your description gave him his answer.”
I look at the paper in my hand. “Is this Fisk’s copy or yours?”
“It’s mine. I’m going to leave here and take Fisk’s copy to the Water Fae. With both his blood and scent on it, it will give them enough proof of its authenticity,” he tells me. “Then I’m going to hunt down Camon. He’s the only one who knew where to find my father. Hyne and I tried to stop Fisk from going until we could get back-up, but we turned around and they were gone.”
“Bastard,” Cormal spits out.
Rivan’s body finishes healing, and I look at him sadly, not wanting him to leave.
He sees the look on my face and sweeps my hair behind my ear. “I’m coming back,” he reassures me, pushing up from the couch. My face must tell him more than I realize because he suddenly pauses. “What is it? Is something else going on?”
I clutch the treaty tightly in my hand and force a smile. “I’ll fill you in later. We need you to get Fisk’s copy to the Water Fae or the palace will be under siege. Go. No goodbyes, remember?” My voice is tight with emotion as I silently say goodbye.
He pulls me into his arms and hugs me tightly. “No goodbyes.” Flashing a strained smile, he steps back, checks to make sure the other treaty is in his vest, then walks out to the balcony and shoots up into the sky.
Callyx gives me a furious look. “Why didn’t you tell him? We could have used his help to save Solandis!”
I turn to my cousin. “Do you think Solandis would want him to save her or the light Fae? He’s the only one who can get the treaty to the Water Fae. I’m still queen, and I promised to protect the light Fae against all threats. This is me fulfilling that promise the best way I can. Besides, we’re going to save Solandis.”
He throws up his arms. “How?”
“I’m going to give up my crown,” I say quietly but firmly. “She is worth everything to me. Do you honestly think I wouldn’t give it up for her? The tricky part will be giving up the crown and getting us all out of there in one piece. Aren’t you three supposed to be good at planning battles? Get to it.”
CHAPTERFORTY
MERI
Grey filters into the black, and the sky lightens. Not long now. I turn my attention back to the mirror and trace the crown on my forehead. It feels like forever since I stood here, feeling overwhelmed and completely inadequate for the role of Queen of the Light Fae. If it hadn’t been for Cormal, I probably would have run away. He sure knows which buttons to push.
I look across at him. The crown might be lost, but I’ve gained so much more here. Not him. He’s just a bonus. Me. I found the person I’ve always wanted to be, and crown or no crown, I refuse to let her go.
My biggest fear is whether I will have any power when this is done. I quite like having some juice to back up my sass. Without it, I couldn’t have taken down the kraken. Something I intend to own until the day I cease to exist. I chuckle. Cormal. My eyes find his across the room. He raises an eyebrow to silently ask if I’m okay, and I nod. Maybe I’ll persuade him to share his trade secret—the way he gained all his powers and made himself immortal. After all, I’m going to need some serious magic to take down Leandra. Magic or no magic. That’s one goal I refuse to give up.
Wailing comes from outside the balcony doors, followed by mournful sound. I turn to go look.
“It’s the cry of the banshee,” Eris says softly. “They foreworn the living of the death that’s coming. This one only cries for members of the royal family.”
I walk over and stare out into the garden. A beautiful, ethereal woman cries in the garden below, sending her message to the inhabitants of the castle.Does she cry for me or another?Goddess, please don’t let it be Solandis. We all need her.
“I’m glad you stopped by,” I remark with a smile, turning away from the wailing woman. “Thank you for everything. I couldn’t have done this without you.” Sitting on the floor, I pull a box out from under the couch. “This is for you.”
She looks at me with sad brown eyes. “It’s not your fault. This has been coming for a long, long time. Nyssa’s rule destroyed all the good in this land. Everything disconnected a long time ago, but she couldn’t feel it through the haze of power.”
“I wonder if that is why there is a dark hole inside me instead of the information Solandis said would eventually fill me,” I ponder.
Eris’ wise face nods in agreement. “There’s nothing you could have done to stop this, although many, including myself, will remember you tried your best. Save Solandis and yourself.” She darts a glance at the three men. “Your scary men, too. This isn’t your fight. It’s ours. The Lesser Fae revolution will charter a new path for us.”
She opens the box, and her mouth drops open.
“Surely you’re not speechless over a few jewels and coins,” I tease her. She tries to hand it back to me, but I toss my head at Cormal. “He can afford to keep me in whatever style I wish. Take it. It’s a pittance, but hopefully, it will help you and the Lesser Fae of the palace find a new home.”
“Thank you.”
Little arms wrap around my neck, then in a flash of magic, she’s gone.
