Page 100 of The Light Falls
I sniff and wipe the tears on my cheeks. I’m going to miss having her saucy mouth wake me in the morning and take care of everything. I wonder if there are any brownies in the Underworld.
Pink streaks through the grey. Cormal wraps his arms tightly around me. “It’s almost time to go. Are you ready?” Blue eyes filled with pride look down at me. “You don’t have to wear a crown to be noble. In your short time as queen, you did more for the Lesser Fae than any before you. The treaty will live on long after you’re gone. It’s an incredible legacy.”
I smile at the thought. “Do you think I’ll lose all my power?” I bite my lip when I voice my biggest fear out loud.
He tucks a platinum curl behind my ear. “I don’t know, but you won’t stay that way for long. I promise. Besides, you already have the greatest power. The ability to mimic.” His eyes stare intently into mine as if he’s trying to convey something, but I don’t understand his silent message.
Bending down, he captures my lips in a kiss that makes every one of my toes curl. He finally pulls away and presses his forehead to mine. “Whatever you do today, don’t sacrifice yourself. Trust me to save you. I know it’s hard given our past, but I promise, you are my priority. Kaius and Callyx will focus on getting Solandis out of there. Can you do that for me?”
“Yes,” I promise him. Orange joins the pink and grey outside. “It’s time.”
“We decided to have Vargas walk in with you. Not only will the shock factor give us an edge, but it will remind the aristocratic Fae that you have powerful ties to the Underworld. Very few want to fuck with demons or Lucifer,” he divulges.
“Or you,” I add.
His chuckle is full of darkness. “Or me.”
With a wave of my hand, I dress in a sleek black suit with nothing underneath. I laugh at the look on Cormal’s face. “Held together by a wing and a prayer. Might as well go out in style.”
His eyes fill with heat. “Definitely one hell of a statement.” His lips find mine one more time. “Go. I’ll see you there.”
Vargas’ face is grim when he holds out his arm for me to take.
“Just a second.” I look around at the beautiful room that was mine for a moment, then turn my back on it. “Let’s go.”
This is a very different walk than the one I took weeks ago. Last time I couldn’t imagine being queen. This time I know I am queen. Am I going to regret giving up my crown? Never. I will miss it though. Maybe I’ll find my own empire to rule like Cormal. I chuckle at the idea.
I hope Rivan got the treaty to the Water Fae. My fingers lightly twirl the one in my hand as if it’s not the most important thing in my possession right now. When the tall doors appear, I use a little magic to tuck it in my pocket.
Vargas stops. “I don’t know how I’m ever going to thank you for doing this. Quite frankly, it sucks. But I’m so damn thankful.” He looks down at me with his heart in his eyes. “She means everything to me.”
I lean in and whisper, “She means everything to me, too. I never knew a woman could be so kind and loving and giving before her. A crown is nothing.”
The doors open, and I straighten. “Put on your ‘don’t fuck with me face.’ Things are about to get real.”
He chuckles at my order.
Striding into the hall with Vargas on my arm, I walk straight to the dais and sit on my throne. That’s right. The one that accepted me.
“Outsiders aren’t allowed in the coronation hall,” Lord Camon sneers to my right.
My nails lengthen with the need to claw his eyes out. “Well, when the light Fae kidnap the mate of the commanding general of Lucifer’s army, it becomes a multi-realm incident. In other words, it’s a big fucking deal.”
He freezes. “Solandis is his mate?”
“You don’t recognize Vargas?” I say snidely. Looking up at the fierce man beside me, I shake my head. “It must be the eyes.” I turn my attention to Camon. “He picked up a little cirein-croin DNA while he was in disguise.”
Brina whispers furiously to him.
“Speaking of Fisk, the cirein-croin who tragically lost his life avenging his grandson’s death,” I begin, but stop to let the crowd catch up. “Yes, the leader of the Water Fae army. Apparently, Brixton, the leader of the Fire Fae, killed Kaius, then Fisk. He’s not a good person. If you see him, run the other way.”
I tap a finger on my chin. “Where was I? Oh, yes, that’s right. The treaty with the Light Fae. Where’s Faris?”
The Fae in question saunters forward, wearing his best poker face. “Here, Your Majesty.” He bows.
Cheeky. I can’t believe I ended up liking him, of all people. “Since I don’t know who to trust with this when I’m gone, I’m going to give it to you.” I reach into my pocket and pull out the treaty and hand it to him. “It’s the treaty. The Water Fae have Fisk’s copy. Both have been authenticated with our blood. Word of caution… don’t store it in the vault. Keir has a key.”
The crowd noise rises considerably. Several people move away from Lord Keir, who’s standing not too far from Camon.
