by C. E. Olson
“I did too, I didn’t realize what I wanted until the moment I thought I lost it.” She cradles his face, staring into those gorgeous hazel eyes she’s grown so fond of. “I used to toss and turn at night, trying to decide who would make a good ruler if I was to disappear, and I finally know. I believe Vaenor has more than proven his dedication to the crown.”
“Oh. That guy.” Varis wrinkles his nose and huffs. “I see what you mean, but... really?”
Aine spots the jealousy clear as day on his face and grins. “The mighty Varis Kester is jealous,” she jibes, poking his nose softly. “If it helps, I believe he loves Dinae. I never thought he’d love again after his wife passed but I’ve seen the way they look at each other. He’s never been interested in me, nor I him.”
“Then let him be King. If he can put aside his hatred to do what's best for his Queen and realm, then I'll admit he'd make a better monarch than most. I'm proud of you, Aine.” Varis takes a sip then brings their lips together again, but they're quickly interrupted by Reeve and Laix.
“What are we proud of?” Reeve asks, grabbing the bottle off the table. There are love bites all along his neck and Aine walks over to pinch one.
“Proud of how naughty you two have been,” she teases.
Laix reaches out to ruffle her hair with a fond smile. “I couldn't help it. He asked for the thing.”
The noise Varis lets out is borderline hilarious — it's clear he's struggling to remember their deal. “We need to go back to the Golden Realm,” he blurts out. “For a coronation.”
Aine bites back a laugh, knowing exactly what that thing is. She lets Reeve see the look on her face before she turns back to kiss Varis on the cheek.
Reeve is more than happy to take the change of subject. “Coronation? You don’t mean King bloody Varis, do you?”
“That's exactly what I mean,” he lies with a straight face. “Would you like to practice bowing to me now, or later?”
“I bow to no one. You heard me tell that King to kiss my ass.” One look at Varis’ face tells Aine that isn’t exactly how things went with Balian, and the snort Laix releases before choking on their drink lets them all know how untrue his bowing comment is. “Fuck all of you.” Reeve attempts to walk away, but Laix stops him and holds him close.
Varis shakes his head with a fond smile and squeezes Aine’s hand. “Welcome to the family.”
“I KNOW FOR MANY OF you it's hard to understand, but the gods have spoken. My place is no longer here, and although I would have lived and died for this kingdom, I'm not the queen you deserve. You need someone who will put aside their personal feelings for the good of the crown. Someone who would never put anything above all of you. That isn't me anymore. I have a mate, one many of you would prefer to see hang than at your Queen’s side, and I will not force that upon you. My final act as your Queen is naming my successor. Vaenor, will you rise?”
The widening of his eyes solidifies her decision. He never carried himself the way he did with hopes of stealing the crown like so many others before him. He is who he is, simply because that's who he is, and he will make a loyal and just ruler. “Your Grace?”
“I believe it is me who shall address you as such,” Aine corrects as she bows her head elegantly, “Your Grace.” Surprise flashes on faces all around her, but she keeps her face neutral, wanting every single one of her former subjects to know this is real. “Vaenor will be a better monarch than I ever could have been. He is not High Fae, but that means nothing when it comes to loyalty. Long live King Vaenor of the Sun Court.”
They cheer as is custom, and although she sees plenty of reluctant faces in the crowd, she knows she made the best decision she could. Saying goodbye to Dinae, however, is harder than giving up her crown. Her longest friend opts to stay by Vaenor’s side, not that Aine is surprised in the slightest. She’ll make a good queen if they ever decide to marry.
After one last, long look at her castle, her newfound family carries her belongings for her, and she hopes it's the last time they ever have to carry her baggage. “Thank you all for coming with me today.”
“You stood by us when we needed you,” Reeve says with a shrug. “Besides, it's nice to be here and not have to worry about being murdered.”
“I'd suggest we stay for dinner, but I promised you panca.” Varis nods to Laix. “No offense, but I think we'll skip the chicken.”
“I don't think they want us here for dinner.” Aine pets Echo as she joins them, and they start their walk back to the portal with Trys following. “And what's wrong with chicken?”
Reeve shoves Varis before he can answer, but Aine can tell there's something she's missing there. “Nothing is wrong with chicken, Varis just has a sweet tooth.”
“Right, that,” Varis agrees quickly, but his voice raises higher than normal. “And have you ever seen a chicken? Nasty, angry creatures. Less fun than an angry amarok.”
“It's fine, you don't have to like my chicken, Varis.” Laix chuckles with a shake of their head. “Although, I think I've only gotten better with time.”
“You have, baby. Varis burned off half his taste bumps when he was a child, what does he know?” Reeve kicks the back of Varis' boot and Aine has to move over to help him retain his balance.
“What are taste bumps?” Aine asks.
“You know, the little things on our tongue that help us taste. They can be damaged just like the rest of us.”
“I don't think that’s the proper term, but Laix, I'd love to try your chicken, as would Varis.”
Her mate looks utterly betrayed as he approaches the portal and waves off the guards. “Fine, but you're giving me something better to do with my taste buds after.”
He disappears back to the Stone Realm as the rest of them stop dead, staring after him in amusement and disbelief. “The gods are funny, aren't they?” Aine jokes as Reeve bumps her shoulder.
“Eh, there's worse mates out there, Queen. I mean, you could have been stuck with me like my Laix here.”
Laix kisses his cheek like there's no other place they'd rather be, and Aine just smiles. “And yet, here I am stuck with you.”
Just before she steps through, she takes one last look at the Golden Realm behind them. Regardless of her mate’s humor, there truly is no better match for her, and she can't wait to see what comes next.
Six Months Later
The sweat permeating the air inside of Kester’s Tavern is enough to make Varis smile. For a man who just walked away from a life of blood, guts, and gore, this is nothing — and some of Ostusen’s purest forms of life frequent this tavern. He simply likes to be reminded that he’s one of them.
Whiskey stings his tongue and burns his throat as he swallows too much at once, but he can already hear the whispers surrounding him. “Hero,” they call him, as if what he did was for them and not solely for the three people he truly loves. Still, it’s better than the old alternatives.
Varis ignores the sounds and smells assaulting his senses as he scans the space for his brother. So far, Reeve is nowhere to be found, but that fact doesn’t exactly come as a shock. He’s used to his only sibling popping in and out of this bar when he pleases, though the man usually has enough sense to be punctual for his shifts.
Usually.
Today, it seems that Reeve is determined to make Varis as uncomfortable as possible before making what’s sure to be a grand entrance. He should’ve never agreed to buy this place, to sit at this dusty, dirty bar and listen to those ridiculous whispers, but a flick of his hand toward Aine has his glass refilled again and his uneasiness settles. If nothing else, he’ll sleep well tonight with his mate by his side.
“Do you think they got tied up again?”
“Funny choice of words.” Aine pours one for herself as well and holds out the glass. “Been a while since we played with rope, my love.” Her eyes dance with amusement as she leans in to ghost her lips along his cheek, and Varis hums.
“You're right. Maybe once my brother decides
to make an appearance, we can remedy that.”
“Best plan you've had all day.” Aine nips his skin and sits next to him on a stool. “He's probably outside right now petting Echo. Having her around really helps keep these drunken fools in line.”
Varis is just happy Reeve agreed to keep her outside at all. “True. But these are our drunken fools, and they pay the bills now that I've retired my axe. Not so long ago, Reeve and I were much worse.”
“I've heard the stories. You remember how Teag pulled me aside the day you signed the papers, told me to get out while I still could... might have offered his hand in marriage as well, but I decided not to tell you that part.”
His fist tightens around the glass until it threatens to shatter. “I'd have taken that axe out of retirement quickly. It's better that you didn't tell me.”
Behind him, Reeve laughs. “We don't tell you anything, brother.”
His mate scoffs, shaking her head to let Varis know that isn't true. “There is only one thing I haven't told you now, Varis, and your brother should be glad for it.”
“I've decided I no longer want to know,” Varis says unconvincingly. “There's no need for us to tell each other all of our secrets.”
“You believe that, or is there something you need to get off your mind, brother?”
Aine stands to grab the two newcomers glasses and pour them drinks. “Why are you two late? Your queen doesn't like to be kept waiting.”
“I wasn't keeping him waiting,” Laix argues with a twinkle in their eye. “That was kind of the point.”
It takes several seconds for Varis’ brain to catch up, but once it does, he can't stop the amused, smug smile that spreads across his face. “Explains a lot about you, Reeve.”
“Drink your damn whiskey, the lot of you.” Reeve shoots his drink back and slides the cup over for more.
“Oh, the queen gives orders. Cups up,” Aine jokes and they all drink as Reeve commanded.
“Do you really want to play this? I’ll be the bloody queen if all you shits do as I say. Tease all you want.”
Varis smacks his brother in the back of the head and then sighs when he sees a couple of drunks starting to shove each other in the corner. “How's this for an order? You were late. You deal with it.”
“Me? Aine’s the scariest one of us. Send her.”
“Send me? I’m the bloody bartender and the muscle tonight? I’m sure you’re sore, but get up and handle it, Reevus.”
His brother’s glare cuts daggers into the side of Varis’ face, but he ultimately does as told.
“He’s a little hard-headed most of the time, but every so often, he really is such a good girl,” Laix says with a fond smile.
Varis drains the rest of his whiskey. “Yep, I was right before. I don't want to know. I do, however, want in on this fight. Excuse me.” He stands to kiss Aine and then stalks after his brother with a smile on his face.
He may no longer answer to “Fae Hammer,” but he'll never say no to a good brawl — and if this is the only kind of fighting he has to do from here on out... he’s okay with that.
GLOSSARY
(contains spoilers)
People
Aera (air-a) – A Fae the brothers had relations with
Aylard (ay-lard) – A member of King Balian’s Sentinel who trained Varis as a child
Batkin (bat-kin) – A member of King Balian’s Sentinel
Braer (br-air) – A Fae Varis is assigned to kill
Dinae (din-ay) – Aine’s handmaiden
Edis (ee-diss) – King Balian’s messenger
Erathor (air-ath-or) – Second King of the Lunar Court
Gerves (gerv-is) – A member of King Balian’s Sentinel
Jeskar (jess-car) – A sex worker employed by King Balian as a reward for Varis
King Balian (king bahl-ee-an) – The King of Ostusen
King Orist (king or-ist) – The King of Epriven
King Rhal (king r-al) – The King of Boedal
King Sontar (king son-tar) – The Lunar Court King
Laix (lay-x) – Reeve’s partner
Louvel (lu-vel) – A member of King Balian’s Sentinel
Marge – Ostusen’s healer
Marsel (mar-sell) – A man Varis fights in a bar
Mavin (mave-in) – A member of Aine’s guard
Naslan (nass-lin) – A member of King Balian’s Sentinel
Oshae (o-shay) – “Queen” of the Fae Hill Tribe
Queen Aine (queen ayne) – Queen of the Sun Court
Queen Braya (queen bray-a) – Queen of the Star Court
Rakan (ra-ken) – A Fae Varis fights in a duel
Reeve Kester (reeve kess-ter) – Reeve is the older brother of Varis. He stands at 6’2 with blue eyes and golden brown hair.
Tamas (ta-mas) – A member of King Balian’s Sentinel
Teag (teeg) – The barkeep and owner of Teag’s Tavern
Vaenor (vain-or) – The head of Aine’s guard
Varis Kester (vare-iss kess-ter) – Known by many names, Varis is the Fae Hammer of Ostusen. He’s also known as the Human and the Bastard in the Fae Realm and as the Killer in the Golden Realm. He stands at 6’0 with hazel eyes and dark, unruly hair.
Watt (wat) – A member of King Balian’s Sentinel
Wilken (will-ken) – A member of Aine’s guard
Winchen (win-chen) – A Fae soldier Varis helps
PLACES
Attarand (atta-rand) – The King’s castle in Ostusen
Boedal (bow-dall) – One of three countries in the Golden Realm. King Rhal rules, and Lornic is Boedal’s castle. Their sigil is an owl on a square shaped shield.
Boldar (bole-dar) – The King’s castle in Epriven
Epriven (ep-riv-in) – One of three countries in the Golden Realm. King Orist rules, and Boldar is Epriven’s castle. Their sigil is an eagle on a two-engrailed top shield.
Lornic (lore-nick) – The King’s castle in Boedal
Ostusen (oss-two-sin) – One of three countries in the Golden Realm. King Balian rules, and Attarand is Ostusen’s castle. Their sigil is a griffin on a wedge top shield.
Teag’s Tavern (teeg’s tavern) – A tavern in Ostusen frequented by the Kesters. Owned by Teag.
The Golden Realm – The Fae realm. It’s comprised of the Sun Court, the Lunar Court, and the Star Court.
The Stone Realm – The human realm. It's comprised of Epriven, Boedal, and Ostusen.
CREATURES & THINGS
Amarok (ama-rock) – A giant wolf-like creature
Echo – Reeve’s shadow cat
Panca (pan-ca) – A snack Varis’ mother would make for him as a child when they were low on food; bread and cheese.
Peryton (pery-ton) – An elk-like creature with giant, elegant wings
Shadow Cat – A dark-gray leopard-like creature with black stripes that can glow, capable of turning into poisonous vapor in a fight, and can move around silently.
Trystrel (tris-trel) – Varis’ peryton
Turul (To-rule) – A mythical bird of prey, usually depicted as a hawk or an eagle. In this world, they’re incredibly large and territorial creatures.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
C. E. Olson is the joint penname of authors Celia Oliva and Emily Wilson. They’ve been friends for years, sharing a love of writing, reading, and all things fantasy. It was only natural that they took those shared passions and found ways to work around their busy lives to create magic and share their stories with the world... and they’re just getting started.
Visit them at www.celiketchpublishing.com
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ALSO BY
The Cettia’s Shadow Series
BY: CELIA OLIVA AND EMILY WILSON
Cettia’s Shadow
Cettia’s Dawn
Cettia’s Light
C. E. Olson, Realms of Stone and Gold