by K. T. Webb
“Legacy, maybe it would help to think of her as part of the wild magic. Every time you feel that nudge from the magic, think of it as Renata reminding you she is there,” Evander suggested.
Of all the things he could have said to help ease her pain, that was probably the most unexpected and the most comforting. He was right. Renata had become as much a part of the wild magic as it was a part of her. Renata may be gone, but in Legacy’s heart, the woman had not truly died.
The difference between the total destruction of the entities that tried to dominate Alderwood and Renata was evident. She thought back to the conversation they had in the Forest of Illusane—you can never fully extinguish a light if it still wants to shine. Renata gave herself to Alderwood centuries ago, now she had fulfilled her promise. Legacy knew she was still there, she would continue to shine, she just had to accept that Renata’s presence would be different from that moment forward.
They continued to ride in silence until the walls of Pallisaide came into view as the sun set behind the city skyline. It was a sight that Legacy had once seen as formidable, now her heart skipped a beat as she realized she was almost home. Her family would all be together in their new home. So much happiness lay ahead that it was nearly possible to forget the grief that lay behind.
Cheers erupted from the people lining the main road leading to the castle. The same people who had watched them leave months before now gathered to welcome them home. It was an odd feeling knowing they had been gone for more than four months when it only seemed like one to those who had been trapped within Illusane. Had anything changed in the time they had been gone? Legacy realized she had not even had the chance to speak with Honor and Rowan about their travels. Had they successfully removed all the Makt soldiers that remained after the king died? There were so many conversations to be had that would have to wait.
Evander helped Legacy down from their horse once they were inside the castle courtyard. The first order of business would be to facilitate the reunion of Theon’s family. They had been separated for far too long, and it was time for that phase in their lives to end. Theon and Calix rode their horses on either side of the horse that carried Noble and Arabella. They were not too far behind Legacy and Evander, so they did not have to wait long
Theon helped both Noble and Arabella down from their steed once they had come to a halt. Noble was drawn to Legacy as soon as he was down. He took her hand and gripped it tightly.
“Should we go see your mother?” Legacy gave his hand a small squeeze.
“Yes. But what if she does not remember me?”
“Noble, something you should know about mothers is they never forget their children. Your mother stayed alive in a cell deep beneath the castle just so she could see you and your brothers again,” Legacy explained as they climbed the stairs that would lead to the infirmary.
“Oh, yes . . . I have brothers. Legacy, do you think they hate me?”
“Why would you ask that?”
Noble furrowed his brow. Legacy observed his face as he thought about what he had asked and considered the reasoning behind it. Part of her already knew his concerns were based on how his mother had children with a man that was not his father. Daenera had only been with one man willingly, and she had been taken by the other. Noble may not understand the details, but he was perceptive. It would be easy for the boys to hate their youngest brother just as it would have been easy for Theon to resent Noble. But Legacy knew they were not the kind of people to hold such things against a child. They accepted the curve in their path and embraced the changes that came with it.
By the time they reached to top of the spiral staircase, Noble seemed to have forgotten his question altogether. Theon was close behind them and had likely overheard the concerns weighing on the young boy’s mind. As soon as they were in the corridor leading to where Daenera, Arkin, Nero, and Rune were waiting, Theon took the young prince by the hand. He stepped in front of the boy and crouched down to his level.
“Noble, I want you to know that even though you were not part of the plan I had for my family, you are now my son. Your father did terrible things, but you deserve to know what a real father is for his children,” Theon kept his eyes wide and locked on Noble so the prince knew how serious the older man took his new role in Noble’s life.
Tears began to sting Legacy’s eyes as Evander slipped his fingers through hers. Her fear for Noble’s future was still there, but she took comfort in knowing he would have the love and support of so many good people. Theon hugged Noble close, and the young boy wrapped his arms around the woodcarver’s neck to return the embrace. Legacy smiled as Theon stood with Noble in his arms and turned toward the infirmary. Each filed into the room to see the rest of the family.
“Noble!” Daenera squealed with relief when she caught sight of the boy.
“Mother! They told me you were dead,” Noble lunged toward her from the arms that held him.
“I know, my dear boy. They kept us apart because the king was worried I would teach you the opposite of his beliefs.”
Theon stared at his wife. The woman he thought dead was alive and well. She had been taken from him cruelly, but her return had brought them so much hope. Tears filled his eyes as he watched Noble cling to the woman they had once both mourned.
Legacy watched as she wiped tears from her own eyes. Honor and Rowan had joined them to witness the emotional reunion. In the bed next to Daenera, a gaunt young man with dark red hair sat staring at Theon. Legacy nudged her friend to remind him that his wife was not the only family member he was to be reunited with. Theon followed Legacy’s gaze toward Arkin who sat next to Nero on a cot.
“My sons,” Theon went to them, dropping to his knees as soon as he was in front of them.
It was almost more than Legacy could bear to watch them all reunite and hold fiercely to one another. Her heart ached for Renata and for the mother she never knew.
The love of family is the most durable bond that exists. Legacy took comfort in the family she did have—Honor, Noble, Rowan, Justice. Even Maris and Gray had grown to be more like family to Legacy. Soon, they would add a baby to the clan. Her family was about more than blood. They were the people she could count on when she needed them, the ones she laughed and cried with, and the people who were always with her.
Noble released his mother and was in the process of reintroducing himself to Arkin. Theon returned to his wife. The way he looked at her filled Legacy with the tingling sensation of fireflies dancing in the night. Their love was pure. Theon did not care that she had a child with a different man, he did not see her as less because she had been broken by the king; if anything, it made him love her more. Daenera was a warrior. She never lost sight of who she was or who she wanted her sons to be.
Legacy gave the signal to Evander, Honor, and Rowan that they should leave them to their own family. Noble was still their brother, but he had so much more to his story. Once they were in the hall, Legacy was able to start planning for the upcoming coronation.
“We need to find Justice and Arabella. They will oversee the ceremony to officially crown both Silverleaf and Nikita,” Legacy told them.
Honor nodded, “I think the two of them were already heading to make preparations when we arrived.”
“I would like to see Maris and Gray. I need to know how the palace guards have been doing in our absence,” Legacy directed her statement toward Rowan.
“I know where they are, I will have them meet us for dinner,” Rowan offered.
“That will work, thank you,” Legacy smiled. “I think I should go see if Justice needs anything from me.”
Honor rolled her eyes at her sister, “Always working. Maybe you should take a little rest. You have been through a lot and probably need some sleep in an actual bed.”
Legacy knew her sister was right, but it did nothing to quiet the other thoughts dominating her mind. How could she rest when there were so many things that required her attentio
n? She decided it would be acceptable to sleep after she spoke with Justice. Honor squeezed her hand before she and Rowan went off to find his parents. Evander arched an eyebrow in her direction.
“What?” Legacy narrowed her eyes.
“She is right, you know. You could use the rest. We both could.”
Legacy sighed, “Fine. But only if you rest with me.”
Evander’s eyes widened slightly. Legacy took his hand and led him through the corridors and down a flight of stairs. She opened the door to her bedroom and led him in, closing it behind them. The bed looked so inviting.
“As much as I would like to change into bedclothes, I know we have to meet the others for dinner. May as well stay in what we have on now,” Legacy shrugged as she took her boots off and crawled into the bed.
Evander did not move to join her. Instead, he started to pace the area next to her bed as he had after their first shared nightmare. Legacy watched him, knowing there was something on his mind. He started to speak a few times, then thought better of it and went back to pacing the room. Legacy tried not to release the giggle threatening to escape, but she found it impossible. Her laughter stopped him in his tracks. He stared at her with an expression she could only describe as intense heat.
“It seems so long ago, but it has not even been a year since you became Queen,” Evander seemed to be talking to himself as much as he was to her.
“Evander, I thought we were going to take a nap.”
“I know, just give me a few moments to get to the point,” Evander took a deep breath before continuing. “We have not known each other long, but I feel like you have been part of me my whole life. I love the way you try so hard to be who you think you should be as Queen, but then end up doing what you think is right regardless of your position. I love how your eyes have a hint of gold in them when the sun hits them just right. I love that you are driven by love rather than obligation. You play with your hair when you concentrate, you have a dimple on your left cheek when you laugh, your hand feels like it was meant to fit in mine.”
Legacy had both eyebrows raised as she stared at Evander and took in the words that spilled out of his mouth. He looked half-crazed with unspoken thoughts. Legacy wondered if he was going to burst.
“I love you, Legacy. I just want you to know that it is not just because we were on a thrilling adventure together. I was in love with you before I even knew it had happened. The adventure of being with you forever is more exciting than anything else,” Evander had tears brimming in his eyes.
“Where is this coming from, Evander?” Legacy could not help but chuckle a little.
Evander shrugged at her as though he had no explanation for his outburst. Legacy wondered if he somehow overheard her conversation with Honor the night before. It was impossible. He had been speaking with his mother while Legacy was on the other side of the fire with her sister. There was something more to his sudden need to tell her how he was feeling. Surely, he had not gotten the wrong idea about her insisting he nap with her. She only wanted to spend time alone with him, wrapped in his arms. Their time together had almost always been supervised. Even while they were with Theon and Justice, they tried to keep their relationship as a secondary focus. They were searching for Noble; they did not need to focus on romance. The only time they even talked about their relationship was shortly after they found Silverleaf. The thought brought with it the memory of the conversation they had in the Forest of Illusane. They were home. He told her to ask him again when they were back in Pallisaide.
“Evander, will you marry me?”
A smile spread across his face as he pulled Legacy off the bed and into a kiss. She had never felt anything like it. Legacy curled her fingers into his hair as his hands gripped her waist. Every moment they spent together filled her with this same passion. Legacy considered herself the luckiest woman in the world. When they broke apart, both were breathless with desire. Legacy knew without a doubt they would need to start planning a wedding as soon as the coronation was over.
Creatures and nature spirits of all sorts attended the coronation for Nikita and Silverleaf along with the humans who supported them. Legacy was pleased to discover the thrones from her visions had been restored in the throne room at Pallisaide. Days of celebration followed the official reunification of the three kingdoms. Word spread through Alderwood quickly, which meant more and more members of each kingdom began to trickle into the great city. It was a hectic time filled with introductions and a blur of unfamiliar faces. Legacy was overwhelmed at every turn.
Theon and his family agreed to move into a home on the castle grounds. Legacy and Honor wanted to give Noble the life he deserved with his mother, but neither sister was willing to lose him entirely. By keeping him in the vicinity, they could still be part of his life while he continued to build a life with his mother and brothers. Construction was well underway, but Legacy had to admit it was nice to have everyone living in the castle.
The meeting area that had once been known as the war room was retitled the unification room. Legacy, Silverleaf, and Nikita sat at the head of the table discussing the future of Alderwood. The key members of each kingdom had joined them to discuss what lay ahead. Silverleaf announced he would be heading out into Alderwood to seek out the nature spirits that had yet to awaken from their forced solitude. He wanted to act as an ambassador for all three kingdoms, as he anticipated some tensions from those who had witnessed the atrocities of King Junius. Nikita decided she would be departing on a similar mission. She enlisted the help of Harcos and some of the other canthions to begin the long process of helping the creatures of Alderwood find their voices once again.
“Queen Legacy, what do you think should be done to help the Kingdom of Man transition into a world with intelligent creatures?” Nikita asked.
“I believe the people of Alderwood will be more accepting than we anticipate,” Legacy began, “But I know your fears are not unfounded. I think we need to make sure people know there is no threat. We lived in peace once, I believe we can do it again.”
“I agree. But I think our best course of action will be to venture out from Pallisaide and help those outside our walls to understand. I do not want to see fear become panic,” Honor suggested.
Legacy looked at her sister with an arched eyebrow. In the weeks since they had returned to Pallisaide, Honor’s belly had begun to show her condition. There was no way Legacy would allow her pregnant sister to go traipsing about Alderwood acting as an ambassador between the Kingdom of Man and the other two kingdoms.
“Honor, when you say we should venture out, I hope you know that does not include you,” Legacy told her with an arched eyebrow.
Honor laughed aloud, “Yes, I am fully aware. I guess you could say I was referring to us as in those who have accepted the reunification of the three kingdoms.”
“Good, then it is settled,” Silverleaf said. “We will gather a delegation to venture out and show everyone that we can live in peace.”
Gray spoke up from his place at the long table, “I think it would be best if we had a representative from each kingdom. That would help people understand.”
Legacy agreed. He and Maris had worked with the castle guard while she was gone. The soldiers who now protected the people of Pallisaide were compassionate, understanding, and filled with goodness. Without Maris and Gray, there was a good possibility the last remnants of the Makt may have gathered followers and risen against them in the absence of the Queen. There may not be a need for a resistance anymore, but the people who believed in a better Alderwood were the ones who made it what it could be.
“The Gildi would be willing to act as two-thirds of the delegation that goes to each county,” Honor offered after consulting with Harcos.
Legacy looked to the other leaders for a consensus. Both Silverleaf and Nikita nodded their agreement. Silverleaf had made contact with Juniper, the dryad Legacy had known since her childhood days in the caves of Kilgore, they
would work together to find enough representatives to join the delegation. Everything seemed to be falling into place.
“Does anyone else have anything they want to discuss today?” Legacy asked.
Rowan cleared his throat, “Arabella, Eirny, and I would like to make a proposition.”
“Go on,” Nikita encouraged.
Arabella stood to address the room, “We have been thinking about the act of marking. We want to continue the practice. Renata agreed to channel the wild magic to help guide the citizens of Alderwood in their journey through life. We believe that tradition should continue.”
Legacy had not considered the purpose of the marks for quite some time. Of course, she knew it had been part of Renata’s deal with the wild magic to help her find those who would bring an end to the Shadow Mages and the tyranny of corrupt monarchs. It had not crossed her mind that the practice would end or continue after they destroyed the mages. Now, she was interested to know why Rowan and Arabella felt the marks should continue to be administered.
“Please, continue,” Legacy prompted.
“We were discussing why marks are important, and we decided that the power bestowed upon the recipients connects them to the wild magic. Yes, there are those without marks who have found a way onto the path they were meant to follow,” Rowan glanced at Evander, “But, there may come a time when those who do not have a connection that helps them learn their place in the world will seek to harness the magic again.”
It was a fear Legacy had held deep in her own mind. She knew the possibility of the darkness returning was stronger than any of them dared to imagine. While Noble was surrounded by those who only held good intentions, he had been marked internally by the corrupted pieces of the wild magic. If those pieces existed in others throughout Alderwood, there would always be risk of another threat rising from the shadows. Receiving a mark did not mean the person was bound to follow the visions, or complete the mission depicted on their body. But, when people felt they had a purpose in life, they were less likely to engage in destructive behavior.