I nod, the picture of the temple perched on the high rocky spire flashing in my head.
He closes the space I left between us, his hip nestling against mine. “But what if all I wanted was to be your husband?”
I follow his line of sight to his fingers. They have been fidgeting with something since before I sat down. He stops moving them and a simple gold ring sits between his thumb and index finger. That one delicate loop of metal has the power to stop my heart. It’s not like we’ve never talked about marriagebefore, but to see that he holds a symbol of that intention… This isn’t a daydream about a future spent together. It’s tangible, as close as my outstretched hand.
“I’ve sat out here contemplating two things,” Kyron says. “One, the time we have with the people we love the most is never enough. I don’t want to waste a second I have with you, Raelle. At our end, I want to know I shared every laugh and explored every dark corner of who we are together. There will be no regrets, not about us.” He cradles my face in his hands and brushes away the tears below my eyes. “Two, my love for you has grown to outshine everything else in my life, even tragedies like this. When darkness threatens to pull me under and hold me captive, I have a light that leads me home. Greer gave me the gift of continuing to live in that light. Her sacrifice deserves to be celebrated, and I’d like to start by becoming your husband.”
“My husband,” I whisper.
“Yours. Always yours, princess.”
“Yes. I will be your wife. I want nothing more than to be yours in every single way.”
He slides the ring onto my finger. His hand glides up my arm, and my heart races at the soft caress. The warmth of his palm seeps into the side of my neck as his thumb tilts my chin up. I stare into his obsidian eyes and marvel at the bright flecks of amber burning within them.
His breath brushes over my lips as he says, “I’ll forever strive to gather the stars for you, Raelle.”
“And you will never fight your battles alone, my king.”
I melt into the sweet touch of his lips against mine.
Kingdoms can burn. Power can fade. Crowns can break. In the end, none of it will matter. This life was meant to throw us in the fire over and over again. Sometimes we will bend under the raging heat and come close to our breaking point. But with each new blazing trial, we are renewed. Past sins are forgiven,weaknesses are transformed into strengths, and the love we choose through it all is refortified. It becomes the kind of love so powerful that it transcends this life and the next. And it always prevails.
Epilogue
RAELLE
Partygoers have overtaken the palace ballroom. The endless wine and ale have lowered inhibitions, and many of them have given into the beat of the drums and the merry singing of the fiddle. They spin in their finest clothes while twirling the colorful ribbons that once decorated the walls over their heads. Leading the mayhem are my husband’s most trusted advisors. They have no regard for decorum. It doesn’t matter that one is the Allaji queen’s fiancé or another the royal strategist. They couldn’t care less that they rank high in Pliris’ army as its general. And far be it for them to care that they are the queen’s parents. Tonight, our kingdom celebrates one year since the end of a cruel era.
The festivities stretch far beyond the Pliris borders and extend to every person within the five kingdoms. The Statera has returned balance among the rulers, and our lands are at peace. All throughout the continent people are coming together as equals who are free to live out their lives however suits them and their kingdom best. But I must admit that I believe thatno kingdom is rejoicing in this fact more than Pliris. It was a prophecy given to a favored ruler decades ago, and it’s come to fruition.
Rowan spins me around the dancefloor, keeping his distance as he tries not to step on my feet. Each silver tendril embroidered into the black skirt of my gown catches the flickering candlelight. I chose the dress because the curling design that purposely crawls over the sheer panels along my arms and torso reminded me of Kyron’s shadows wrapped around my body. It was empowering to look like the embodiment of one of his gifts.
“Even if he didn’t love you so much, I’d still admire the man simply for the way he treats our sister,” Rowan says.
My gaze skims the swaying bodies around us and lands on Salone. Her red hair sits elegantly upon her head, and her light green gown hugs the curves of her body. She shyly smiles up at Terro. His braids are pulled back at his nape, and he dons his formal military uniform. He keeps his eyes on his and Salone’s feet, like he’s taking care not to step on her toes.
“You’re not saying something is going on between Salone and Terro, are you?” I ask.
Rowan makes a choking sound. “No. No. Salone wishes.” He spins me the other way and I yelp as he steps on my shoe. “Them.”
The sight before me has happiness swelling in my chest. The hand held above Ansley’s head connects to Kyron’s as she twirls in continuous circles. He fights back his laughter as he entertains my littlest sister’s dramatic dancing preferences. After spinning to the point of dizziness, she takes both of the king’s hands and attempts to lead him in a waltz.
I giggle as Kyron does his best to keep up with her. There is just something about seeing a man with a crown on his head bend to the will of a child. Not to mention, he makes my mouthwater in his all-black pants and coat with silver swirls that match my dress. Their quick, sloppy steps have them bumping into my parents. Papa releases Mama’s waist to ruffle Ansley’s mop of curls. And as he looks up from her, our eyes meet. My father winks, bowing his head at me before continuing to dance with Mama.
“I think Ansley has my husband wrapped around her finger,” I say to Rowan.
“She’s not the only Mansi girl that he would do anything for. I hope that one day I find someone to love as much as he loves you.”
I tilt my head and study his face. “Does that mean all is finally forgiven with Kyron?”
“Honestly?”
“Yes, honestly,” I say with mock offense. “I’m your queen. You shouldn’t lie to me.”
One side of his mouth tilts up and he says, “I forgave him the moment he hauled your limp body onto the Esspress ship. He risked his life for you, and I knew he would do it again if that’s what it took.”
My jaw drops. “But that was over a year ago. You still give him such a hard time.”
