“To mountain to valley
From water and sands
Send this Caster
To Eternal Lands”
A great rumble shook the earth. Rowan stopped mid-fight. Viktor leaned over the edge of the pillar and looked down. Even the crawler killers paused in the sky, their massive vulture wings beating a worried rhythm.
For another moment, everything was still.
Then the bottom of the Genesis Vale fell out in a huge and somewhat lopsided sinkhole. The pillar tumbled into the ground. The golden beetles chittered and writhed as they sped downward. I didn’t focus on them though. My gaze stayed locked on Viktor as he tumbled past me into the earth. His elegant features were twisted with rage. I found it to be a flattering look on him, and I took care to wave him a hearty goodbye.
The moment Viktor was through the gateway, I yanked the four spikes out of the earth. The channel to the Eternal Lands closed. The sinkhole disappeared. There was a normal swath of jungle once more.
Rowan swooped down to land beside me. He wrapped me in his arms and kissed me deeply. Now that our souls had mated, Rowan had extra height and strength to match his inner beauty. He was also a far better kisser, although that could just be other things as well. I opened my eye a crack.
Sure enough, wherever Rowan and I touched, our skin flared with purple light. That meant life was about to get rather interesting.
“When you said before that a true mating changes everything—”
Rowan cut me off. “Yes.”
“Does that mean it changes how we—”
“Yes.”
A cloud of red and blue smoke whirled around us. This wasn’t magick that I had summoned, so I knew it had to be Rowan. Between kisses, he said one word.
“Transport.”
There was no question where we were going. I trusted him in that, too.
Chapter Thirty
The next thing I knew, the Genesis Vale was gone, and I found myself on Rowan’s bed. My wings were gone, as were Rowan’s. Instead, my body had returned to normal, or as normal as I could be these days.
I now lay on my back with Rowan above me, his arms braced above my shoulders. Our mouths met in kiss after kiss. With each touch, magick flared between us, turning every sensation more potent. I ran my hands over the hard planes of his chest and pulled off his upper leathers. Rowan gripped my jacket at the neckline and slowly tore it open. I couldn’t help but grin.
“That’s wasting perfectly good leathers,” I said.
“You’d outgrown them anyway.”
He finished ripping my torso bare when I heard it. People were chanting outside the window. I paused. “Do you hear anything?”
“I do, and it’s lovely music.” He kissed the base of my neck. The touch of his lips made me shiver. Both of us were only wearing our leather trousers, and I suddenly felt that was some kind of tragedy. Even so, I couldn’t help but wonder what was happening outside.
“What are they saying?”
“Regina. Regina.” He arched his back so his shaft rubbed me in perfect ways through the leather that separated us. “They want you to be my Queen.”
“I’d like that very much.”
A fresh rush of energy moved between our bare torsos. The feel of his warm skin was so intense, I couldn’t wait another moment. I suppose Rowan felt the same way, because we both pulled off our trousers at the same time.
Rowan and I were completely bare against each other, and it was perfect. At last, our bodies matched our souls. He pressed himself inside me, and we were joined as one. It was perfect. And we stayed that way, moving together and sharing bliss, throughout the night. All the while, the Casters chanted outside our window.
I would be their Queen. For the first time since I’d been struck by my curse, I knew exactly who I was and precisely what I wanted. Forever.
Chapter Thirty-One
We didn’t leave Rowan’s room for days. Servants brought us food, and Rowan’s chambers included an excellent bath modeled like a waterfall. I could have stayed there for another month at least.
But Rowan was still King, and I was soon to be Queen. Eventually, one of us had to leave and face the general populace. When Rowan volunteered, I didn’t complain. Instead, I decided to transport back to Braddock Farm and check on my family, namely Sam, Mabel, Lucy, and Smokey. Now that I’d truly mated with Rowan, transport spells hardly tickled.
When I arrived in the old farmhouse, Sam and Mabel weren’t home, so I headed to my old bedroom in the barn. It felt like a different lifetime when I’d slept in the loft and tried to be a farm girl. The place was neat and well kept as always. Thin fingers of sunlight poked through the cracks in the walls. Clean hay covered the floor. It all smelled like sunshine and comfort. I gave Smokey a fresh bucket of oats and tried to lure Lucy over so I could pet her. Like always, my so-called cat couldn’t be bothered with me. That said, she did seem to watch me for an extra-long spell before stalking away. After years of living near each other, I thought perhaps she was starting to form a true attachment.
I was about to transport back to Nyumbani when a ticklish feeling crawled up my arms. Someone else was here. I scanned the barn to find Tristan standing by the door. He gave me a shaky smile. “Hello, Elea. I see you’ve new clothes these days.” Rowan had a new set of black leathers made for me. I wore them constantly, when I wore anything.
I folded my arms over my chest. “What do you want?”
“I came because I owe you an explanation.”
I tilted my head. “Just one?”
“Fine, I need to clarify a number of things with you. Here’s the truth. I am a godling. I was sent here to help guide you toward Necromancy. The curse was a painful way to do that. I should never have extended my curse to you. Believe me, that didn’t mean it didn’t hurt me every time the fires burned off my flesh.”
“Is that supposed to explain away why you lied to me? Do you have any idea how deeply that injured me?”
“I experienced my own pain, Elea. Believe me, if I’d had any sense of self-preservation, I’d have gone back to the Sire of Souls and left this world to rot. But I endured it all for you.”
I’d seen him suffer, night after night. My soul ached for his pain. Still, this godling wasn’t Rowan. I didn’t trust him. “Tell me. Did you endure the curse for me…Or because you were under orders from Oni and Yuri. Did they send you back here again today?”
“That’s not fair. I came here of my own volition in order to warn you. Petra’s very angry with you. She’s not the only one, either.”
“That’s fascinating. Now, leave.”
Tristan shook his head. “You shouldn’t have bonded with Rowan. Oni and Yuri don’t know this yet, but when they find out? Let’s just say that they won’t be pleased. And Petra will find a way to tell them. Mark my words.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What about you? Will you tell them?”
“No, I wouldn’t do that.”
I considered his words before shaking my head. “Why would the gods care about me and my life? So, I can use both kinds of magick. Rowan can do the same now.”
Tristan’s face darkened. “And that would be why they care. Didn’t you ever wonder why there are two continents and two such different ways of casting? It was all crafted to stay in a careful balance. Left and right. Flesh and bone. Animal and skeleton. You’re mixing everything up. That’s not what you were meant to do.”
“Maybe they should have discussed their plans with me.”
“They tried that already and it failed.”
“You mean with Viktor.”
Tristan raked his hand through his dark hair. “I’m not supposed to talk of such things.”
I took a hesitant step closer. “How can I trust you when you won’t tell me the truth?”
Tristan huffed out a long breath. “Viktor is much older than you are. He can wield both kinds of magick, and that makes him strong. You know the Necromancers had been a shadow of what they once were
. That’s been going on for a long time.”
“And Viktor was supposed to change that.”
“Yes. His job was to lead the Necromancers back into glory.”
“But it all went wrong. How?”
“Viktor fell in love with a Caster.”
My head felt wobbly on my shoulders. I stepped over to sit down on a nearby bench. “Was she his true mate?”
“I don’t know if it even got that far. At the time, Viktor was young and foolish.”
I tapped my chest with my pointer finger. “I’m young and foolish, you know.”
“Well, Viktor couldn’t have her. At first, he seemed to accept that fact, but over time, he became bitter. He saw the gods as having a great conspiracy to keep him away from what he wanted to do. So he decided he needed to consolidate magick in his own person.”
I slumped against the wall. “That’s why he drained all those Necromancers. He wanted to make himself strong enough to fight the gods.”
“Clearly, Viktor was a mistake. But the Necromancers remained weakened. So the gods decided to try again with this great gift of hybrid magick.” Tristan shook his head. “You were supposed to be different.”
“I am different. I’m just not what they wanted.”
Tristan let out one of his beleaguered sighs. “Listen to me. If you love this man and his people, then you’ll walk away right now. Tell him about Oni and Yuri. He’ll push you out the door.”
Anger heated my veins. “I’ll tell him everything, but I know his reply already. Rowan won’t want me to walk away. He’ll ask me to trust in him. No, in us.” I looked around my old barn. Tristan and I used to chatter in here by the hour. Now, even being in this place without Rowan felt wrong. “And that’s what I’ll do: have faith in our bond. Which is why you have to leave. You’ve delivered your message. Now run back to Oni and Yuri and tell them what I said.”
“Don’t get crowned Genesis Regina. The gods will see you as an abomination who is trying to upset the very fabric of our world by handing out your own gifts of hybrid magick. Neither of you will live out the year. Oni and Yuri will destroy you, body and soul.”
“Duly noted. Now if you don’t mind?” I pointed toward the door.
“It would have been so much easier if you’d fallen in love with me, you know.”
“I suppose even godlings don’t get everything they wish, do they?”
“Evidently, they don’t.” He tipped his tri-cornered hat. “Until I see you again.” He walked out the door while slowly vanishing from view.
With that, Tristan simply disappeared. I only wished that his words would vanish from my mind as easily.
That night, I’d tried to sleep, but I was still churning through Tristan’s warnings. Rowan pulled me more tightly against his warm body. “Ready to talk about it yet?”
I leaned my head back against his chest. “Sorry I didn’t say anything earlier.”
“I knew you’d tell me when you’re ready. Are you ready?”
“Tristan visited me again. He asked me to return to the Eternal Lands to keep you safe. If Oni and Yuri find out about us, they’ll be angry. We shouldn’t be mixing magick.”
“I doubt the gods care much one way or another.”
“That’s what I told him. But I think they do care, Rowan. This is very dangerous. Tristan thinks I should go to the Eternal Lands and never become crowned Genesis Regina.”
His fingers absently toyed with the ends of my hair. “And what did you say to that?”
“I’d relay the message, but I was certain that you’d want would me to stay as your Queen.”
“Quite right.” In one smooth movement, he flipped me onto my back, positioned himself above me, and grinned. I could see the outline of his face in the faint moonlight from the opened window. “And what does my future Queen demand of her King?”
“I think you know that.”
Rowan leaned and kissed me fiercely, proving that indeed, he did know exactly what I needed.
Chapter Thirty-Two
I pulled on the scraps of leather that served as my formal gown. No matter how I tugged, they only seemed to cover less skin, not more. I began scouring Rowan’s chambers for another bureau or hidden closet. The fight with Zoriah and her golden army had taken place a month ago, and now Rowan and I had our first formal celebration to attend. Not our coronation; Tristan’s warning was still too fresh for that.
No, this was something just as important. I simply had to go. Only, I wished there was something else I could wear.
A whirlpool of purple smoke formed on the floor nearby. Within a few seconds, Rowan appeared in the spot. I caught my breath. Seeing that handsome face always took my breath away.
Rowan offered me his hand. “Are you ready?”
“Not really. Are there other things I can wear?”
“No.”
“And you’re certain?”
A crooked smile rounded his mouth. “What do you think?”
I shrugged. There was no point in answering that question. It was obvious that this was a traditional “dress” for Caster Royalty, and I’d have to adjust to things now that I’d agreed to become Genesis Regina.
“You look lovely, by the way.”
“You’re…” I eyed him from head to toe while tapping my chin in mock-consideration. “Fine. I suppose.”
Rowan laughed. He knew how much I adored his official garb of a leather kilt and long cape. “Then we should depart.”
“True.” Even though I wanted more of my skin covered, I didn’t want to be late. Today’s celebration was an important one. I got misty just thinking about it.
The mating ceremony for Amelia and Kade would take place any minute now. I’d go naked if I had to.
I glanced at my reflection in the smooth stone that served as Rowan’s full-length mirror. I supposed I was attending their mating ceremony pretty much naked. Ah well. I’d faced far worse.
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be,” I announced. “Lead the way, Genesis Rex.”
Once again, Rowan and I stood onstage at the meeting hall. The last time we were here, it was for the engagement ceremony. Although that event took place less than a week ago, it felt like we were now entirely different people.
Perhaps we were.
Rowan and I stood hand in hand at center stage. To be honest, I was still adjusting to the idea of holding hands at all, let alone in public. Necromancers avoided touch, as a rule. But this was Rowan. Although it felt odd, I wanted everyone to know what he meant to me. So, I gritted my teeth and held on even more tightly.
Amelia stood on the left-hand side of the stage. Kade waited on the right. My friend looked beautiful a Caster gown, only she’d found someone to dye hers bright pink. It perfectly complemented her long red hair, which hung in loose waves down her back. Across the way, Kade wore the traditional garb of the Caster Imperial family: a leather kilt and long cape thrown over his shoulders. Both Amelia and I wore crowns of white flowers in our hair. Kade and Rowan wore fresh laurel wreaths.
Before us, the meeting hall was filled with Casters sitting cross-legged on the floor or kneeling in small groups. Many new and smiling faces beamed at us from the crowd. A palpable sense of joy filled the air. There was no question why, either: so many of these families had recently been reunited with loved ones. My chest swelled with pride. Rowan and I helped to make that joy come to pass.
In moments like these, the pain of leadership was worth it and then some.
Rowan raised his arms; the hall fell silent. The front row before the stage was for immediate friends and family. I counted Jicho, Veronique, Mabel, Sam, and their new baby girl, Daisy. One benefit of being able to transport without pain was that I could now bring people to Nyumbani without hurting any of us. It warmed my soul to see them together, happy and healthy. On the day that Daisy was born, I’d given them the deed to all of Braddock Farm. It felt just and right. It also threw Wyatt into a rage, which was an added bonus.
“Greet
ings to you all, Casters and honored guests.” Rowan smiled toward Mabel and Sam. “It’s a honor to have you here today for the mating ceremony of my brother, His Imperial Highness, Prince Kade Kivuli of the Clans Kazi and Dunia, to the Esteemed Lady and Inventor, Mademoiselle Amelia Masson.” Rowan turned toward Kade. “My brother, you are a fierce warrior and bright engineer. Your loyalty is beyond question. For years, I have wished with all my heart that you find a mate who shared your good judgment, open mind, and deep capacity for love.” Rowan glanced toward Amelia. “My brother believed that affairs of the heart were impossible for him, my Lady. I’m glad to see him proven wrong.” At the same time, Amelia and Kade blushed and stared at their feet. It was adorable.
I raised my voice and focused on my friend. “Amelia, you are one of the smartest, most driven, and strongest women I know. When others would cower, you calmly planned how to succeed. Where some might see bits of metal, you picture elaborate devices that rival any magick spell. You’ve wanted security and protection from someone else, and yet in the end, you found love and strength by sharing yourself equally with a man who matches your intelligence and passion. I am honored to be part of your mating ceremony today.”
Rowan raised his right fist. “Here I hold the mating ring of Imperial Prince Kade. Come forward.”
Kade stepped out from the side of the stage to stand right before Rowan. It was my turn next.
I raised my left fist. “Here I hold the mating ring of Lady Amelia Masson. Come forward.”
Amelia now stepped to center stage and stood toe-to-toe with Kade. Their gazes met, and the pair shared a shy smile. All kinds of happiness sparked in my chest. It was wonderful to share this moment with my friend. And I was excited to also perform my first official ceremony with Rowan as his mate. One day, Rowan’s new throne would be added to this stage, and another created beside it. These would be our places of honor as Genesis Rex and Regina. Until that time, I was happy to share in these ceremonies as nothing more than the woman who held Rowan’s love. After all, that’s what was most important.
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