Arien
I’d thoughtall was lost.
I’d fought until my arm could barely muster the strength to swing and still I pressed on. I’d used my sunlight to force people away, knock them off their horses, or burn them slightly. I’d scorched myself a path through their armies until I was too depleted to summon the sun.
And yet, still more men came. Their tactic of hitting us with three different armies in waves was honestly impressive, and the General in me appreciated that, if nothing else.
But I also hated every single one of those fuckers. They chose the wrong side, and as the cowards sworn to my father ran for the hills, I still couldn’t believe we’d done it.
Thatshe’ddone it.
I’d never seen anything like Asteria’s power before. The starlight was beautiful, of course, but the power behind it was surprising.
She had to have as much power as Calix did, rivaling him for the coveted spot of the most powerful Fae in Celesterra. Or maybe they were perfectly equal, as mates should be.
They’d joined together, sending that blast of starlight and shadow at the enemy forces. The impact sent the entire regiment scrambling and retreating.
I lifted my sword in the air. “Queen Asteria!”
“Queen Asteria!” The others around me echoed as Asteria and Calix stood in the middle of the kneeling crowd. And then the strangest thing happened.
Calixkneeledbefore her.
I’d never imagined a Fae man would ever bow to his woman, let alone a king in his own right. By all rights, he had no need to do so. I smiled slowly, happy to see it as Calix took her hand and brought his forehead to it. Like she was blessing him.
Like she was a goddess, come to Adamah.
Asteria stood there, in her silver, black, and purple armor, strong and proud, having just fought off three armies as her powerful mate, the King of Night Kingdom, kneeled before her, along with the entirety of Day Kingdom.
Maybe she was.
* * *
“Humans, huh, brother?”Asteria’s teasing words to me were the first thing out of her mouth as I approached. I huffed a laugh at her, bringing her in for a quick hug.
“I did what you asked and told them your plans,” I explained, and she perked up immediately despite how tired she clearly was. It wasn’t onlymyfirst battle, and Asteria didn’t have years of training behind her like I did. I was impressed that she was able to hold out for so long.
“After what our father did, ripping so many humans away from their homes and families, trying to send them to their deaths… well, suffice to say, they were more than willing to help if it meant a new queen who plans to free them,” I admitted.
She’d been right about that. I’d doubted her plan, sure that the humans wouldn’t want to help, and even if they did, I didn’t imagine them being much help to us. But they’d proven me wrong on both counts. They rose up to fight with determination and anger that I wasn’t as shocked to see as I would have been before.
Before I watched Asteria nearly break as she described her past as a slave.
“That’s amazing!” Asteria squealed, looking at Calix excitedly. He gave her an indulgent smile that almost made me feel like I was intruding.
“I think we should crown you officially, Asteria,” I told her, and saw her freeze completely.
“What?” she croaked out, gripping Calix’s hand like a lifeline.
“They need to know that Aelius isn’t coming back. To feel secure in that fact. And I mean the Fae and humans both. They need to see you crowned themselves, to see the woman who just fought so hard for them installed as their queen.” I explained to her as gently as I could.
I didn’t want to push her. I never wanted to do that. But I also knew that we were on a knife edge here. It didn’t matter that they’d fought in this battle; any Fae or human could turn on us in an instant if they thought they’d chosen the losing side.
We almost lost the battle today. It was only thanks to Asteria and Calix that we hadn’t. They knew that just as well as I did.
“It’s no different than Night,” Calix murmured to her, rubbing her back. She nodded slowly, breathing deeply.
I spotted Soren heading our way and nearly groaned. I couldn’t help my lip curling up in distaste, however. Despite his efforts in saving me, his obsession with my sister was not something I’d ever approve of.
