“I love you, Callum Riverside. And I would be honored to be your wife and the mother of your children, to give you this second chance at happiness that you so deeply deserve.”
He inhaled a slow breath, keeping his tears back so his eyes would only shine.
My mom cupped her mouth and silently whimpered as she listened to us. Hawk didn’t smile, but he didn’t seem uncomfortable either, just engrossed.
My father seemed unbothered by these declarations. His eyes remained focused on us, like every word we shared meant the world to him. He waited a moment to see if either of us had anything else to say, and when we didn’t, he spoke. “On behalf of the Rothschilds who came before me, with the blood we’ve spilled in wars, with the power we’ve maintained for generations, I bring you together in holy union. And as Lily’s father, I happily entrust her to a man who will love her as much as I do. By the power of the kings in my blood, I name you husband and wife.”
Callum inhaled a sharp breath the moment it was final, like he couldn’t believe that I was officially and irrevocably his. He blinked, and then two tears escaped down his cheeks as he moved into me, a man overcome with love and emotion. He cupped my face, unbothered by the tight braid that kept my hair back, and he kissed me in front of my family, kissed me hard and long like he didn’t care if the passionate affection bothered anyone, because now, I was his.
27
TALON
A few days after the coronation and the wedding, Khazmuda and I left for a flight. Now that I was no longer king of the Southern Isles, I was free to pursue as many personal errands as I wished.
I kissed Calista goodbye before we departed.
You think this plan will work, Talon Rothschild?
“We’ve known each other for decades, but you still use my full name?”
You will always be Talon Rothschild to me, especially when we travel together like this, which is rare.
“Yeah, it’s been a while.”
So you think this plan will work?
“I really don’t know. It’s a lot to ask.”
You defeated the god of the underworld and the Covenant. There is no ask too great for Talon Rothschild.
“Lilydefeated Leviathan and the Covenant. The rest of us were mere distractions.” I would never take credit for my daughter’s victories. I was proud of the woman I’d raised to be queen, and I still struggled to understand her power. If we were true opponents across the battlefield, she would cut me down to pieces.
You still risked your life, Talon.
“I risked it for her.”
We flew across the Great Sea just below the clouds, and after a day of flying, we saw the snow on the mountains of the Northern Kingdoms, a place I used to call home but now felt like a strange land. We crossed the mountain range and approached the forest that hid Riviana Star in the center.
Khazmuda landed outside the tree line.Good luck, Talon Rothschild.
I slightly rolled my eyes. “Enjoy your hunt.”
I will hunt a grizzly. I’ll save you some meat.
I headed into the forest, and despite the expansive perimeter, there were always elves on patrol, making sure no one ever crossed into their lands without their knowledge.
They spotted me, recognized me from a distance, and didn’t detain me.
I entered the forest after dusk, the light quickly fading from the trees and the fireflies coming into view. They lit the pathway for me because fire wasn’t allowed in this sacred place. Guided me all the way into Riviana Star.
I reached the center an hour later and approached the dwelling where Queen Eldinar resided with her general husband. Her guard retrieved the queen, and minutes later she joined me, beautiful and ethereal in her white, sleeved gown.
Despite the horrible things I’d said to her, her eyes showed nothing but affection. “I assumed we wouldn’t see each other for a long time. To enjoy this newfound peace, however long it lasts.”
“I hope this one lasts longer than the previous.”
“We can only hope. What brings you here, Talon?”
