“I also recommend Prince Caleb Kallan,” Nerissa said.
The generals nodded in approval and thumped their chests. “Long live King Caleb Kallan.”
Petra huffed, but was unable to do anything with my purple magic surrounding her.
“The majority has spoken,” I said and picked up the crown, ignoring the burning that it sent up my arms. Caleb stepped closer, and I placed the crown on his head and smiled. “Long live King Caleb Kallan.”
“Long live King Caleb Kallan,” voices boomed all around me.
28
Onyx
Three months later
I watched Thorsten take in the roaring waterfall, the fragrant hibiscus blooms, and the colorful flocks of birds sailing above our small meadow. He was able to enjoy all this with the sun high up in the sky.
“The sun. I had forgotten how amazing it is,” he said, his voice filled with awe. “I didn’t realize how much I missed it.”
“With the Shield, you’ll never have to forgo it again.” I pressed my lips against his, glad that Peony’s plant was no longer being used for evil, but for good. After the fall of King Peter, all vampires except Thorsten had been exiled back to earth. Lady Cardinal, who confessed that a spy of King Peter’s had freed her from my prison, was locked away with powerful magic in the dungeons of Thorsten’s estate, the one near Denver that he had inherited after executing Vulthus.
There she would rot away her immortal life, the same way she had wanted us to rot away ours.
But I didn’t want to think about her now. I ran my hand through Thorsten’s blond hair and gazed into his glacier eyes, still unable to believe my luck.
“What are you thinking?” he asked, running his hand over the spot where my wings grew from my back, making pleasant shivers dart down my spine.
“Just how lucky we are. How lucky I am to finally call you my husband.”
“I’m the lucky one. I finally get to call you my wife.” He glanced around, but around these waterfalls, a spot Virgie had recommended and where Nathan had proposed to her, no media clicked away. Still, we had to be careful. Because while I hadn’t wanted to wait for a grand wedding, not after everything we’d been through, to the fae of the Summer and Winter Court, Thorsten and I were only engaged. Our official wedding was scheduled in a month’s time and would be a massive party. I looked forward to it, but what I really cared about was being with him and our friends.
I spread my wings wide. “I would love to stay here forever, but we better return to the Summer Palace. We’ll need time to get ready for Virgie’s ceremony.”
“I wish we had more time alone.” Thorsten pressed his mouth against mine and wrapped his arms around me. Together, we rose in the air. Shifting, so that we no longer embraced but held hands, we flew to the Summer Palace, me flapping my wings and Thorsten using his rare, precious gift. What a joy to fly with my vampire consort in the afternoon, sunny sky. We passed fields with fragrant blooms, luscious hills growing juicy grapes, and lakes so clear they reflected our images.
Then the mountainside Summer Palace came into view. Its tall turrets rose proudly, its countless courtyards providing shade and privacy for couples. The Crystal River, straight from the glaciers of the Winter lands, cascaded through the Summer Palace with peaceful magic. We landed on the outer balcony, and a fae with dark skin and magenta wings hurried toward us.
“Queen Onyx Vinter. Consort Thorsten Steinberg.” Pierre bowed lowly. “The hair and make-up teams are ready.” He paused for a beat. “I do not want to insult you, but would you consider incorporating gold into your outfits to show the goodwill between the Summer and Winter Court?”
I smiled and let my blue gown swish around me. “Of course, Pierre. It would be my pleasure.”
“Mine too,” Thorsten said with a nod.
“Excellent. Lady Virgie Everston has agreed to do the same as has Sir Nathan Bitterbay. But in their case, they will wear silver.”
We followed Pierre to the changing rooms where Thorsten and I separated. I shot him one longing look, and he squeezed my hand before disappearing down the corridor with a servant. My chest laced up, but I pushed away the anxiety, refusing to let it claim me. After everything that had happened, leaving Thorsten even for a minute was hard. It would take time before I healed from him being a prisoner of the Summer Court and me being banished to the wastelands.
Sometimes, I still woke up in the middle of the night, a scream tearing from my throat, sweat dripping down my chest. But Thorsten always enveloped me in his arms. “It’s all right. I’m here. We’re together.”
He was right. Finally, we were together.
The stylists worked their magic and when a mirror was held up to me, I saw that my purple hair was put into a half up-do, complementing my crown, while silver eyeshadow streamed from my eyelids to form half moons on my cheekbones. According to Pierre, such makeup was customary for the Summer Court. My tulle, white, and silver dress featured a golden sash in honor of the Summer Court. My outfit was finished off with crystalline slippers.
“Magnificent!” Pierre exclaimed, then opened the door to the corridor where Thorsten was waiting in a light-gray tux, wearing a golden bowtie in honor of our hosts.
I rose on my tiptoes and whispered into his ear, “I can’t wait to get you out of this tux at the end of the night.”
He chuckled. “Careful what you say, or we might miss the beginning of the wedding.”
Pierre cleared his throat, tearing us back to the present. “If you would be so kind, follow me. You will be the last guests to enter before the bride and groom arrive.”
My heart picked up speed as we strode closer and closer to the throne room, where King Peter had attacked me, transformed Thorsten into a plant, and tortured him in the sun. I tensed, unable to help myself.
Thorsten ran his hand in a soothing manner across my shoulder blade. “The past is the past. A bright future awaits us.”
His words were a balm, casting aside the darkness within me, allowing me to smile again. “I love you,” I said. “You are my moon, always guiding me through the night.”
Thorsten’s arctic blue eyes softened. “You are my sun, always bringing me into the light. You saved me at Nocturnal Academy from myself. You rescued me from King Peter. You made all of this–” He motioned around himself, “—possible.”
I swallowed hard. “In a strange way, King Peter did us all a favor. If not for him, I would’ve never ended up in the wastelands and helped to heal them.” Not only had a new land of spring appeared in the fae realm, nestled between Summer and Winter, but the borderlands had transformed into a magnificent land of eternal autumn where harvest hung heavily from each red-and-golden tree.
“Each challenge comes for a reason,” Thorsten mused, then we both fell quiet as we reached the throne room. I took a breath. The open space was not as I had remembered. The huge, wooden doors no longer felt like the jaws of a terrifying beast, but a friendly smile, inviting us in. The air was light and filled with hope. A sea of fae with colorful wings and gowns spread in front of us. Amongst them stood the Vasara students, some decked out in gowns and tuxedos, while others wore guard uniforms, working tonight. All of the guards smiled at us. Everyone chatted away happily, at ease. Media clicked away. Well, one thing hadn’t changed.
Hand in hand, Thorsten and I walked down the pink carpet of rose petals strewn underneath the canopy of tall oak trees. What once had been a terrifying path, with branches ready to attack at any second, was now a beautiful alley. At the end of the alley stood not one, but two tall thrones, created from magnificent light-colored wood. White blooms surrounded the two tall thrones upon which King Caleb and his wife-to-be Peony sat. They both rose, and the thrones moved away behind them as an arch of flowers moved up.
I embraced my friends.
“You look good with a crown,” I said to Caleb, which earned me a lopsided smile. Then I turned to Peony. Her curls fell loosely onto her shoulder, and her silk dress looked like liqu
id gold. “You, my dear Peony, are the queen you always wanted to be.”
Her hazel eyes flashed with amusement, and she winked. “It isn’t the crown, but what’s in here—” She pressed her palm against her chest, “—that makes a queen. But the crown is definitely nice.” Unlike Caleb’s new crown that was crafted from twigs and leaves, her crown was made of elegant roses the color of the sun.
The fae broke out in applause, and I turned around to see Nathan walking down the aisle with his sister Nerissa. He wore a magnificent white tux with a lilac lavender in his pocket. As promised by Pierre, his bowtie was silver to show the peace between our courts. Nerissa was decked out in a magnificent golden dress with green peridots sewn onto it.
I hugged her. “Nerissa, I’m glad we meet again under such happy circumstances.”
Thorsten clasped Nathan’s hand. “Congratulations. I’m glad we get to share this celebration with you.”
“Me too.” Nathan beamed.
“The big day has finally arrived.” Caleb clapped Nathan on the back and we took our places. Caleb stood in the center to officiate the wedding. Nathan was on the right side, Nerissa and Peony were behind him while Thorsten and I stood on the left side, next to the empty spot that Virgie would claim. On the opposite side of the petal walkway, my generals stood with Blair.
The string quartet began to play, heavenly music flowing forth from their instruments. Every fae in the room smiled, and their eyes were filled with joy. Even Percival, who had been allowed to return from his strict fae boarding school that provided much-needed attitude adjustment, had no ounce of derision on his face. I hoped the young prince’s soul could be saved, unlike Petra’s, who had been sentenced to a life in solitary prison, guarded by the most powerful magic.
All thoughts of Petra left my mind as Virgie sailed into the throne room, a vision to behold. Her white gown held a lilac tinge that matched her wings. The sash on her waist was silver, symbolizing our courts’ alliance, and the diadem that shone in her black hair was an engagement gift from Nathan. The massive train of her dress streamed out behind her, and the calming scent from her lavender bouquet filled the room. But by far the most beautiful feature was the joy in her dark eyes. She radiated bliss. Tears shot into my eyes. I was so glad that she and all of us were finally getting our happily ever after.
“This will be us soon,” Thorsten whispered into my ear, and I leaned against him, grateful that my long lifespan and his immortality would allow us to spend centuries of bliss together.
29
Virgie
“Do you, Nathan Bitterbay, take Virgeat Everston to be your wife? Do you promise to cherish her, guide her through the faelands, and treat her as your life partner and equal?” Caleb radiated a faint golden aura as he slowly lifted his hands. A bit of golden magic swirled between Nathan and I, ready to tie us together.
Nathan smiled. “I, Nathan Bitterbay, take Virgeat Everston to be my wife, and promise to cherish her, guide her through the faelands, and treat her as my life partner and equal.”
I was giddy with joy. I was a true faelands citizen now and a member of the court. I was known for my own powers, not just for becoming Nathan’s wife. Even in my wildest dreams, I couldn’t have conjured up such a perfect ending to my journey. It tasted only sweeter for all we’d been through.
“Do you, Virgeat Everston, take Nathan Bitterbay to be your husband? Do you promise to cherish him, guide him through the faelands, and treat him as your life partner and equal?”
I looked into Nathan’s warm, silver eyes. Standing before me was the true Nathan. I had helped free him from the former king’s barbaric oath.
“I do,” I said, my voice carrying through the ballroom.
Caleb grinned, not bothering to correct my human response. “Then as the king of the Summer Court, I, Caleb Kallan, pronounce you as life partners and as husband and wife.” The golden energy flew from his palms and wrapped around our hands, pressing our intertwined fingers closer. The warm magic traveled up my arms, and a glow surrounded us. Nathan and I were one. I could feel his heartbeat. Feel his happiness. Judging from his smile, he could sense mine too.
He leaned forward, and our lips met to the erupting cheers of all in the throne room. Thunderous applause rose as we molded together, surrounded in the true warmth of the Summer Court.
The party ran well into the night. Nathan and I strolled through, doing our time with the media and satisfying their questions about our honeymoon before moving on to mingle with our friends. Caleb, unlike his father, mingled with the partygoers and so did Peony. The mood was light and delightful. Not one fae seemed tense or unhappy. Except for the guards, no one wore weapons on their hips.
I waved to Zeeba at the other side of the courtyard. She offered me a rare smile. A few feet away from her stood Kristen. Her head was thrown back as she laughed at something Christoph had said.
Blair moved from her spot leaning against a white pillar and let a fireball the shape of a heart dance between her open palms. “Congratulations, Lady Bitterbay.”
“Blair, how have you been?” With all the wedding planning and restoring our court, I hadn’t gotten much of a chance to talk to her in the last few months.
She let her fireball vanish. “I’ve been spending a lot of time in the new Autumn Court, overseeing as it is rebuilt, but I miss Earth. I’m excited to return.”
I almost blurted that I had also considered going to earth with Nathan, Italy specifically for our honeymoon, before I realized that such travel was too risky, given the latest symptoms I was experiencing. Instead, all I said was, “I bet. Nathan and I are taking off tomorrow morning to the Crystal Lake. Nathan has a manor out there that he hasn’t been to in ages.”
Nathan blushed, and Blair giggled. “One day, I’ll take a holiday too, but first, I’ll fry some vamp butts and free the remaining fae slaves on earth.” She eyed Lily, who despite her Summer fae heritage chose to live in the Winter Court with Onyx. I had the feeling that Lily would stay, which meant Blair would go alone. I was certain she would get some warriors from both courts, but it was different without friends.
“Be careful,” I said.
Blair smiled and let her fireball heart turn into a dagger. “Don’t worry about me. Worry about the vampires. Caleb and Onyx have to stay here, but they’ll open portals for us, and I’ll be in close contact with both, now that I really know how to use my magic.”
I nodded. With the faelands restored, Blair didn’t need my help to send her fireballs. This was her mission, and she was ready. “It sounds like you have it all figured out.”
Nathan put his arm around my shoulder. “It’s a good tactical plan to attack the vampires now. They must still be reeling from the shock of the changes in the faelands and Lady Cardinal’s fate. They’re used to death, but her eternal imprisonment is a far greater terror.”
“It sure is.” Blair grinned. A moment later, she was whisked away by a general, asking her about her fire magic. Alone with Nathan, I tugged on his hand, pulling him in the direction of the outer balcony. He gave me a puzzled look but didn’t protest. Outside, the sky was dusky. The first stars were coming out, and the moon shone brightly.
“Have you already grown tired of the party, my love?”
I didn’t reply immediately, but simply smiled. Nathan’s curiosity built. I could feel it in his mind. “You told me that fae couples try for centuries before they manage to have a child,” I began.
Nathan coughed. “Yes. That’s true. The plague—”
“I’m unaffected, and it appears you didn’t catch it either.” I stepped closer and put my arms around his neck. “I believe we have a little one on the way.”
Nathan’s eyes widened. “A...a little one?”
“Yes, Nathan. A little one. She or he will be soon joined by other youngsters as the fertility plant cures everyone, now that it is used in smaller doses and only given to those who want it.” I pressed my lips against Nathan’s, then pulled away, allowing him t
o process my words.
“Virgie, this...this is the happiest day of my life,” Nathan sputtered, then lifted me up and twirled me in a circle. When he sat me back down, we embraced for a long time, then headed back inside to the bright future that awaited us.
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for taking this journey with us! We hope you enjoyed the conclusion to Onyx’s and Virgie’s stories! Holly and I had so much fun writing this eight-book series. It was a wonderful experience to collaborate.
To read an excerpt of our other works, please turn the page.
Margo & Holly
Dark Legacy by Margo Ryerkerk
True Blood meets Heroes.
My name is Sierra Reeves, and my life is built on lies. I’m not a regular girl. My telekinetic powers can flip the precarious balance between good and evil.
On the run from those that seek to use me as a weapon, I seek protection from the magic-bearing marshal Gavin McLoughlin. If anyone can teach me how to stay alive, it’s Gavin, a well-connected supernatural who hums with authority.
Too bad Gavin has no interest in training me. He doesn’t trust me and wants me to stay far away from him and his city.
I can’t. I need him, and I’m driven to him like a moth to the flame.
I don’t care how hard I’ll have to fight to get into his inner circle, I won’t give up. But just as I make the tiniest bit of progress with Mr. Stubborn, corpses sprout like mushrooms all over Savannah. If I’m not careful, I will be next…
The Nocturnal and Fae Prison Academy Boxset [A Complete Paranormal and Fantasy Series Boxset] Page 119