War of the Realms Box Set
Page 61
Pike laughed. “You like it, don’t pretend.”
Holland shrugged. “The breeze can be nice. How are you doing with everything I taught you about your throne?”
Pike shook his head. “It isn’t what I ever wanted, but there are many things I can do besides sitting on a throne and waving to the crowd.”
Holland chuckled. “That was exactly what I realized when I was handed the throne. I knew when Leonetta had her vision, I would gladly hand the responsibility over to you. But you have support too. You have Ardontis as your spiritual guide. Don’t be afraid to use his wisdom. He was Leonetta’s right hand.”
Pike looked up and took a deep breath, stretching his arms out. “He is very helpful. But I think I am gladder that Helena has Coventina. She has been a gift from the Gods, or the Light, whichever you subscribe to. She is Helena’s confidant and teacher now that her sisters are gone. It has helped her through this transition, the pain and sadness as well.”
The sound of the dragons shifted Pike’s attention. “They are carrying bags… What is that?”
Holland glanced over his shoulder. “Oh. Those are Asphodul and Aerie’s dragons. They met up with us out in the forest. They wished to return to the service of the Vale, and brought things back from the clearing of Asphoduls for Helena. Trinkets of sorts.”
Pike kicked at the grass below his feet. “That’s good. She has reached a place of comfort with her sister’s things. She wears a gold chain around her neck, at the end two amulets of her sisters hanging from them. One is broken, and neither hold magic anymore, but it makes her feel close to them.”
The bells tolled overhead and Holland began to clap. “I believe it is time sir, for the Wolf King to be preparing for his wedding. Come on, I will tend to you in chambers. We are brothers now and forever.”
Pike was no longer nervous. This was the day he found his happiness again. As they walked away, in the distance beyond the Vale you could see the remnants of the Dead King’s Kingdom. Helena had sealed the caves and magically covered it in soft lush moss with blooms of purple and gold bursting across the top. At the foot of it, was a statue. A memorial to Aerie, the woman that made a sacrifice she never should have had to make. It was a reminder to the people that sometimes sacrifices weren’t always voluntary but often necessary.
***
Pike stood at the Alter of Light, Ardontis smiling kindly at him. The garden had been enchanted even more than usual, creating huge bouquets of white blossoms all around them. The harp began to play and Pike turned toward the grassy walkway up to him.
Helena stepped out, her arm latched to one of the future kings of the Vale, Elsworth. She wore a satin dress that clung to her curves with soft shimmering satin. Her hair was half pulled back, the rest cascading around her in bouncing curls. As she stepped down the walk, taking Pike’s hand, flowers sprouted from ground.
Ardontis leaned forward and kissed Helena on the forehead, lifting her veil and turning her to Pike. “Today we join the souls of two beautiful beings, bound for eternity in light and love.”
He handed both of them a long stick with fire on the end of it. Pike took her hand as they walked up to the Alter of Light and joined the tips of their sticks together. The fire comingled and sparked, turning a deep shade of blue. They put the flame to the wick of the everlasting flame of the alter.
Ardontis smiled, putting his arms out. “You light this flame with trust and love. You light this flame as a symbol of kindness, peace, and prosperity for you and for the entire Kingdom of the Vale. You light this flame to show the end to all darkness and the beginning of a new Era.”
*** The End ****
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