Page 128 of Once Upon a Crown
The great hall had been decorated with expensive tablecloths and floral centrepieces. Trestles laden with food were set out and servants walked the room serving wine.
Cai and I sat close to each other at our table, taking in all our guests and the party around us.
“Well, it certainly looks like everyone’s enjoying themselves.” Cai had hardly let go of my hand the whole day and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
“Especially Donald and Olwin.” I gestured to the bandits making the most of the free wine. “It’s nice to see them getting along after all these years.”
“I was surprised that you’d decided to invite Brett and Creston.” The two were enjoying their meals next to some of the other council members.
“I wanted the entire royal council here. And I have to admit, since the war, I feel like I actually managed to gain some respect from Brett and Creston.” My council had finally fully accepted me as their queen and ruler.
Gwen and Lance were on the dancefloor, slowly swaying to the music.
“Gwen looks so beautiful in that dress,” I commented, taking a sip of my wine. She wore an emerald gown and her whole face practically glowed as she smiled up at Lance.
“I’ll admit, I never thought I would see Lance in love.”
Some days it still took me by surprise to see how much he cared for Gwen. But I was happy for them.
“Me neither.” I doubted Cai and Lance would ever be friends, given their past, but they’d come to some sort of mutual understanding and treated each other as respectfully as possible.
“She’s good for him,” he said, gesturing to Gwen. “And I’m glad someone is looking after her. She deserves to be happy.”
“Yeah.” I smiled and squeezed his hand. “What about you? Are you happy?”
“Incredibly happy.”
I gave him a kiss before resting my head on his shoulder and admiring my wedding ring. It was the beautiful one that had belonged to his mother. I couldn’t have asked for anything more special.
We had conquered war and death, deadly forests and ancient magic. I didn’t believe there was anything that could come our way that we could not handle or work through together. Fornow, I would enjoy the peace we could finally experience and focus on the life that we wanted to build together. I didn’t know what the future held, only that he was in it and that he always would be.
And while our names would be etched together in history, we were held together by something much stronger than ink on paper or alliances or treaties.
He was a part of my soul now, and I was a part of his. And it would stay that way, until the end of time.
Epilogue
Elara
6 years later
There were few things I loved in the world as much as the Evernean Forest on a spring morning. Sunbeams casting light through the canopy of trees, birds singing their melodies to one another, the smell of the wildflowers and the sound of flowing water from a nearby creek.
I readjusted myself on the blanket we’d laid out over a small patch of grass. It was the first sunny day since winter, and we’d decided to come out here and have a little picnic. Gwen was sprawled out on her stomach next to me, a book in her hands.
“The novel not quite interesting enough?” she asked, and I eyed the closed book lying next to me.
“You know how I feel about reading.” I shrugged and she smiled, closing her own book. “Don’t stop on my account, though.”
“No, I prefer your company.” She moved so she could sit next to me. “Besides, you’re only here for a few more days. I want to spend as much time with you as possible.”
As much as I wanted to stay in Everness for a little while longer, Cai and I had a few matters that required our presence back in Norrandale.
“We’ll be back before spring is over and then we’re going to spend the entire summer in Everness,” I reassured her.
“I know. I just miss your company when you’re gone.”
I watched Cai in the distance and the little boy by his side. A smile made its way across my face, accompanied by the feeling of pure contentment. I almost wished we could stay for ever.
