He takes the crown from me, turns it over in his hands as he inspects it. I expect him to place it on himself, and for a moment, it looks like he expects the same. But he freezes, then places the crown back on my head. “I think this belongs to you,” he whispers.
I rise from my bow, puzzling over his actions. His furrowed brow tells me he isn’t quite sure about them himself.
Aspen turns and faces the council, raising his voice for all to hear. “The All of All has chosen my champion as the winner of the decision of fate. My challenge to the throne has been heard, judged, and decided. I am King of Autumn.” He turns his gaze on Cobalt. “And you, dear brother, are charged with treason.”
Chapter Forty-One
“No!” Cobalt shouts. He points at the crown on my head. “That crown means nothing. It’s no gift from the All of All.”
Aspen nods at Queen Nyxia. “As mediator, the ruling is yours.”
The vampire looks caught off guard for a moment, gaze moving from Aspen to Cobalt. Finally, her eyes settle on me. “The All of All have spoken. The crown is their answer.”
“She could have stolen the crown,” Cobalt argues. “The All of All would never choose her over me.”
Aspen lifts his hand, signaling toward his brother. “Guards, seize him.”
The armored fae race toward Cobalt, swords and spears drawn as they charge him. With a hiss, Cobalt shudders and shifts into his nix form, blue scales glistening in the moonlight. He points at his sea fae. “Take them down.”
The sea fae tear across the floor to meet the guards, while a few anxious council fae dart to the perimeter of the balcony, Melusine among them. Others roar to join the battle against the sea fae. With a shudder, Queen Nyxia shifts into a towering shadow with red eyes and sharp teeth. The blue wind fae floats off the floor and turns into a puff of mist as she swirls around the sea fae, lifting Cobalt’s guards from the floor and tossing them off the side of the balcony. The white wolf sinks his teeth into a scaly blue leg, eliciting a shout of pain. The fae with curling horns slams his fist into a sea fae’s head. The orange fae with scales stands close to the battle but doesn’t join, merely watching with mild curiosity.
I hear the sound of crashing waves and turn to look over the balcony. The water is rising from the sea to impossible heights, leaping against the side of the palace, lapping over the balcony rail, catching those who’ve fallen.
I return my attention to the chaos of the balcony as a flash of blue darts toward the rail. Aspen follows, taking Cobalt by the shoulder and forcing his brother to face him. I see them lock in battle before the spray of a wave hits me in the face. When I open my eyes, Aspen is leaning over the rail, looking down. A flicker of movement catches my attention to the left, a mass of gray-brown fur.
“Amelie!” I run toward her, and she freezes. Her selkie skin has enveloped her body from the neck down. All that remains is her face. The head of the seal rests on her brow, and she seems seconds away from pulling it down. I close the distance between us, putting my arms where her shoulders should be. “Amelie, don’t you dare leave me.”
Her green eyes glaze with tears. “I have to go.”
“No you don’t. Shed the skin. We’ll keep you safe from Cobalt.”
Her expression hardens. “I don’t want to be kept safe from him. He’s mine and I am his.”
I stumble to find my words. “That’s just the glamour talking. Stay with me. Please.”
“I can’t.” She pulls the seal’s face over hers, then drops to her belly, hobbling toward the rail. I reach for her, feel my arms close around her slick fur as another crashing wave pummels me.
When I open my eyes, Amelie is gone.
I run to the rail, staring over it, but all I see is the raging ocean. Waves spray up the side of the palace, into the open windows. There’s no sign of my sister. Still, I continue to watch, seeking any sign of her. I don’t leave the rail, not even when the waves calm and subside. Not even when the water levels recede to normal, as if nothing had happened at all.
“They’re gone,” Aspen says, coming up beside me. “Cobalt, your sister, my brother’s guards. All his sea fae leapt over the rail.”
I continue watching the sea, not sure what I’m hoping for. Amelie left. She chose Cobalt. All I’ve ever wanted was to protect her. Keep her safe. Even now, I want nothing more than to save her from Cobalt’s clutches. But what do I do if she doesn’t want saving?
Aspen puts a hand on my lower back. “Let’s go,” he says. “You’re shaking.”
He’s right. I’m racked with tremors, partially from the cold water dripping from my body, partially from my suppressed sobs. Finally, I pull away from the rail and let him guide me back inside the palace. Once we reach the hall, it’s no surprise how much is flooded. I imagine the entire west portion of the palace will be a sodden mess, not to mention broken windows and damaged furnishings.
Aspen’s guards flank us, the council fae walking just ahead. A few seem dazed, while others are chatting animatedly, as if they’d just returned from a fascinating play. The white wolf pads down the hall, blood dripping from his muzzle. Nyxia strolls at a leisurely pace, chin lifted as if without a care. Melusine, of course, slithers down the slick hall with ease, shoulders squared. Another fae, a female with golden-brown skin, honey-colored hair, and enormous yellow butterfly wings turns to face us. She pauses until we reach her side.
“King Aspen,” she says with a bow of her head. “I will lend you my weather until Bircharbor can dry out.”
Aspen nods. “Thank you, Queen Dahlia. We will accept your generosity.”
She hesitates before moving on, eyes resting on the crown above my brow. Then, with an exaggerated smile, she flits away.
“Who is she?” I ask, once she’s out of earshot.
