by Lisa Kessler
***
No fanfare awaited the return of the princess. The cobblestone street leading to the castle lay ahead, deserted and desolate. Talia instinctively walked closer to Keth’s side, scanning the forest for any sign of life.
Nothing moved. No faeries danced in the sunlight, no birds sang. Silence blanketed them.
When they reached Talia’s home, the castle no longer sparkled. The stone was dull and cold. Her eyes welled with tears. “I don’t understand.”
Keth took her hand and led her inside, his brow furrowed. How many years had passed since they crossed the veil? Could the magic of Summerland be lost?
He coughed. The scent of spring flowers was replaced by the stale odor of dust and mildew.
When they reached the High Council chamber, Talia lost her struggle with her emotions. Up on the throne sat the withered bodies of her parents.
The king and queen stared blankly ahead, like empty husks, unaware that their daughter entered the room. Talia sobbed; tears streamed down her face as she knelt between them.
“What have you done?” Keth whispered.
Faldo smirked. “This is all your doing.”
“I had no part in this.”
“You took what was rightfully mine.” He shrugged with a smug smile. “It was within my right to demand justice.”
Keth’s brow furrowed. He gripped Faldo’s arm tighter and yanked him in close. “You call this justice?”
“Justice comes at a high price. After our parents were bled dry, I had to offer the vampires more Fae blood.”
The world tilted and Keth’s legs threatened to buckle. “Our parents…”
“Are dead,” Faldo finished.
Keth looked up at Talia as she kissed the hands of her parents, and the realization that he would never see his parents again pounded him squarely in the chest. All the years of rage and hatred toward his older brother burned through Keth’s veins like an inferno. He tackled Faldo, knocking him to the ground.
His brother groaned as he hit the dirt. Faldo’s wrists were still bound, but Keth was beyond caring. He rolled his brother onto his back and pummeled him with his fists.
Faldo erupted with maniacal laughter, blood trailing from his nose and mouth. “Yes, kill me brother. Finish off the world of magic. Replace it with darkness and hate and retribution. Finish it for me. Kill me.”
Keth stopped punching and clamped his hands around Faldo’s neck, squeezing until his brother was silent. Faldo’s eyes bulged, but Talia’s scream broke through the darkness and pulled Keth back from the abyss.
He let go of his brother and stumbled away. Faldo coughed, gasping for air and writhing on the ground like a worm. Fitting.
The air around Keth warmed as he spun to find Talia. She wept on the ground and his breath caught. He took a step closer and realized she wasn’t crying. She was bleeding.
Keth rushed toward her, but jolted back when blinding pain stabbed through his head. He fell to his knees, unable to move or speak. His heart raced with panic. Had he caused the death of magic? Did his rage complete his brother’s plans for revenge?
Blood ran from her eyes and nose as she held her head in her hands, trembling. Keth ground his teeth together and forced his legs to move through the pain. He lurched forward on his knees toward her. By the time he reached her side, blood clouded his vision.
“It hurts,” she gasped.
He pulled her into his arms, and tipped his head to the heavens, unleashing a primal scream. Darkness danced at the edge of his vision, and for a moment he almost welcomed unconsciousness.
But he wouldn’t leave Talia to face this curse alone. He kissed her hair and whispered, “An aimsir láithreach.”
“I love you too,” she whispered.
He closed his eyes, and sent up a plea to the Lady of the Lake, the heart of their world. “Take me. Let Talia live. Please. Take me in her place.”
Talia clung to him. She always fit so perfectly in his arms, like he was born to hold her. The air tingled against his skin, burning around his head as his vision dimmed. His lungs relaxed, no longer aching to be filled, and peace calmed his warrior heart.
The Lady had granted his wish. He’d been welcomed to his final home.
“Keth? No. Don’t you dare leave me.”
Her voice was distant. He wanted to answer her, but he couldn’t move. Her fingers slid through his hair, soothing the fiery pain. Gradually he realized he was breathing, taking long slow breaths and savoring the sweet taste until his eyes fluttered open. He stared up at Talia, dazed by the glow of magic in her red hair.
As his vision cleared, he noticed streaks of green also flowed through her mane, and around her forehead a vine appeared green with life. Reaching up to touch her face, he frowned. The tattoo of the vine no longer encircled his wrist.
“You bear the crown of life.” Talia traced her fingertips along his forehead. Her vine no longer marked her wrist either, instead it crowned her forehead just at her hairline.
Talia bent to kiss him and whispered, “Summerland has chosen my king.”
Keth looked into her eyes and sat up. Flowers bloomed all around them, bathing them in their sweet scent. The High Council chamber sparkled with magic and glory once more.
The taint of Faldo’s bitterness had been lifted.
He spun around to face his brother, only to find a twisted oak tree in his place. The entranced Sentinel rubbed his head and blinked his eyes slowly, the ridge of his brow furrowed. Confusion marked his large features as he wandered out of the chamber.
“Kethian of the Gollan Clan, please rise.”
Keth blinked. How long had it been since someone referred to him by his full name? He gave Talia’s hand a squeeze and rose to his feet. The king was no longer a vacant shriveled shell. His long silver hair shimmered around him, and his eyes twinkled with magic when he smiled.
“Summerland herself has chosen you for our daughter. By offering your life for hers, you have returned the Light to our world.” The King rose and helped his daughter to her feet. He brought their hands together and looked at each of them. “Magic grows from love. May both bloom in your lives.”
After a lifetime of longing, they were finally together, no more hiding or pretending. Part of him still couldn’t believe it.
“I love you,” he whispered. Without hesitation, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
THE END
Author Acknowledgment:
I couldn’t have dipped my toe into self-publishing this story without help from a few amazing people. Special thanks to my “Almost Fabulous” critique group for the extra eyes to clean up the editing, to my daughter, Panda, who campaigned for a longer ending, and to my husband who takes the time to read every word I write.
I also want to thank all my readers who have supported me on my journey to publication. Your encouragement and support means the world to me!
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