The same arena I’d stood in a few months ago, dreading having to pick between eight Fae who fought for my hand to be the King of Brookmere. If only I knew how all of our lives would be irrevocably changed forever at the start of my marriage trials.
I lifted my chin, holding my head high, remembering how proud I was of all we’d accomplished.
I wore my mother’s tiara, passed down from generations of queens. The amethyst stones nestled into the silver metal, reflecting the purple of Brookmere. It complemented my emerald dress, covered in lace appliques. The back of the dress dipped low enough to display my tattoo from Storm.
Apollo still rested on my thigh, hidden beneath the layers of my skirts. The dagger gave me the strength to move forward, and it served as a reminder of the terrible things that had passed. A reminder of the cost for the freedom we’d obtained, but it also served as a tangible reminder of my own strength. I could protect myself and my people, now and always.
Behind me, seated in the back of the two rows of chairs, sat the few royal advisors we had left from my father’s reign, not corrupted by Andras. Each one had pledged their loyalty to me upon my return. In front of them sat Ian, Storm, Jax, Leif, and Raya. The advisors sat behind them because little did they know we’d be creating a new group of advisors. Ones with ties to Brookmere and Mysthaven, as well as some lesser Fae,and perhaps a noblewoman who’d stood up for what was right. Keena wasn’t seated there today, but she would find herself in our midst soon enough.
My eyes landed on the place where my light had already strayed. Kade stood waiting for me so we could approach the podium together.
He wore a black crown upon his head, and his shadows danced at his feet. Smiling, he reached for my hand, which I gladly accepted.
This was my first official event as queen, and even though we hadn’t had time for a coronation yet, I was assured by everyone the formalities would follow shortly. All we had to do was figure out who would rule over all of Atheria.
Still, despite being in Brookmere, it only felt right to address the people with Kade by my side.
“Thank you for doing this with me,” I said, leaning in to him.
He kissed my cheek, turning his head slightly to whisper in my ear. “If you think I’m ruling anywhere without you by my side, you are sorely mistaken. Besides, I do look good in the crown you made me. It’s like Mysthaven’s but better.”
I laughed, basking in his smile as we walked the rest of the way to the podium, and he bowed slightly as I took my place.
I looked out and noticed not a single seat sat empty in the arena. The earth Fae had worked hard to restore the area to something beautiful but made a few changes to accommodate today’s event. Keeping it for everyone’s use and for gatherings among our people had been the easiest decision of the hundreds I’d had to make.
This time, the arena boasted rows and rows of benches lining every inch of the ground to make room for as many citizens as possible. They’d also taken down the division between nobles and lesser Fae, allowing everyone to be seated together.
No clear divide of class. It was everything I’d ever dreamed of. Even some citizens of Mysthaven had made the trip to be with us today, and they appear to have been welcomed with open arms. Beyond their style of clothing, it was hard to tell them apart.
“Whenever you’re ready,” Kade whispered as he took two steps back, allowing me to have this moment with my people.
I motioned for him to join me, but he shook his head almost imperceptibly. “I will rule with you, Little Rebel, but it’s you who led these people.”
I swallowed my retort once I saw the stubborn look in his eyes, so I placed my hands on the podium.
My heart pounded in my chest, and tears already formed as I looked down at a giant slab of marble forming a semicircle around the base of the dais. The monument was engraved with the names of those who had fallen protecting our kingdom, etched in a deep purple with gold filigree. No expense was spared in the creation of this memorial. I wanted their names to be remembered forever.
The first two were my parents, Fallon and Sebastian, followed by King Alister and Queen Roxana. Cassandra, Vivienne, Elisabeth, Corbin, and Hale. All of their names were directly below the podium, so any time I addressed our people, I would stand on the strength of those I loved.
I took a deep breath and spoke; my voice carried on the winds to the farthest corner of the arena.
“Good morning, my fellow citizens of Atheria. We are gathered here today to pay tribute to those who selflessly sacrificed their lives to protect our kingdom. These men and women are true heroes, and without them, we wouldn’t be here today. We honor each and every Fae who perished during the Battle of the Void. The loss of each of their lives is a tragedy, butwe will be forever grateful for them standing by their kingdom in such a perilous time.”
The crowd clapped. Yet when I looked out, I saw many Fae with tears streaming down their faces. While we were able to recover many of the bodies of the fallen, not all were able to be returned to their families. Today was even more important for those families who could not perform a proper burial and say their final goodbye.
“As many of you know, the Battle of the Void was merely a culmination of years spent fighting the darkness. Many of you felt as though you fought alone on the borders. Some of you in Mysthaven battled tyranny even longer. These losses started long before this final battle. So today, we honor not only the brave warriors who fought at the void but all of those who gave their lives in the name of freedom. Those who stood against the darkness. Those taken against their will. It is for the past and present that we honor those no longer with us.”
I looked over to Kade, who nodded with a smile.
“We will hold a moment of silence to pay tribute to those who lost their lives.”
I bowed my head and remembered all of my family and friends who’d perished so we could live. I let myself feel the weight of the goodbyes I never got to say. The years of friendship and love, taken and gone in an instant.
Tears fell in large droplets on the surface of the podium, but I didn’t hold back. I wouldn’t show my people an emotionless queen today.
Then I thought of those I didn’t know, my loyal citizens who chose to fight. I’d been working tirelessly to meet with any living family member of those who’d perished. I went to their homes, wanting to personally express my gratitude for not only what their loved ones did but the sacrifices they too had made. I offered each family monetary compensation to try to help offsettheir expenses. Money would never erase the loss of their loved ones, but it could provide one less stressor while they figured out their new normal. Almost every single family said, “Give it to the next family, there are others who need it more.” I made sure to leave coins hidden somewhere in their home for them to find later.
Word about the Hidden Henchman spread, and it seemed anyone we spoke to had more stories about the goods and, more so, the hope our role had inspired in a time when the border villages needed it most.
