“Then you denied it again and again,” Jacob says with a soft smile. “Every rebuttal of power dropped in your lap made me believe in the magic once more.”
I rub my temple. Everything was planned?
“No,” the All Knowing says. “Not even in the slightest. But while you were tested, your choices were your own.”
Poseidon descends a curved metal staircase and strides over to join us. He looks lighter, happier. He folds his arms and smiles. “I knew you could do it.”
Him too? I can’t fathom the forces at work to bring us to this point.
“I think I need to lie down,” Gwyneth whispers.
“And you’ve earned it,” Charming says, sweeping her into his arms with ease.
The knights all stare at me, ready for whatever comes next.
I hold my finger up. “I have some of my own promises to fulfill before I rest.”
“They can wait,” Nash growls low.
I shake my head. “No, they cannot.”
“We’ll be right here when you are ready,” Jacob calls out as Sir Sweeps-A-Lot fusses around him.
“Rest, or go have cake,” I instruct Genie. “The choices are yours now. You are no longer bound by magic. You are the master of your own destiny.” He blinks as if he hadn’t thought of that, and then salutes and poofs out in a show of rainbow glitter.
Poseidon stretches his arms in the air and sighs. “Ah, to be free.” He slaps Jacob on the back. “Come, my friend, we have a game of chess to finish.”
Jacob rolls his eyes. “You are likely rusty from all that sea salt.”
Their good-natured barbs echo as I stride to our private quarters with the knights on my tail. I pause on the threshold of our chamber and turn. “I need a little time to myself. To bathe, to sleep, to breathe. Can you let me do that?”
Nash nods once. Theo looks like he might dragon out any tempo. I kiss his cheek. “I’m just on the other side of this door. I promise I’m not going anywhere.”
I hug the twins at the same time. “For everyone’s sake, find somewhere safe to stick your judgy swords because I don’t want any commentary in the chamber.”
Hart huffs a laugh, and Malachi hiccups into my shoulder. I step backward into the room and shut the door, leaning against it with a deep sigh, my eyes fluttering closed. I suck in a deep breath, noticing how the air seems different. The pulsethat echoes in the realm beats with the quiet promise of the revolution we started.
A grinding noise has my eyes snapping back open, and a doorway appears where there wasn’t one before. Oh goodness. What now?
I pad across the room and fling the door open to find a natural pool hiding in the newly formed bathing chamber. This place shifts like the tides, giving us everything we need.
I hiss as I step into the steaming pool and sigh as the dirt and destruction of the last few days seeps from my pores and gets swallowed by the salts and minerals. I linger to wash my hair, scrub between my toes, and marvel at the lack of any wound or scar from Hart’s sword. It truly is a miracle, and to think the Hallowed have been harvesting those magnificent beings for their ability to become freaking shiny.
No more. No one will suffer again for the arrogant few.
I don’t rush as I climb out and pat my body down with big, white, fluffy towels. I feel calm, but sleepy. Oh, the power of a hot bath. Our chambers are empty, but on the table rests a platter of various fruits and meats, including a selection of sausages. I’m a simple maiden at heart because this makes me insanely happy.
Once I’m full of food and relaxed, I debate whether I should go in search of my knights, but instead succumb to the allure of the enormous, cloud-like bed. When they’re ready, they’ll find me. Until then, I believe I’m going to need my strength.
Soft fabric whispersagainst my face. My nose scrunches, and I bat it away.
“It’s me,” Hart murmurs against my ear. He’s behind me, curved around my back. The fabric tightens around my eyes as he secures it. “It’s our wedding ceremonial ribbon.”
“What are you doing?” I whisper.
“Worshiping our queen,” Malachi rumbles from in front of me.
My body tingles with awareness of being naked between the twins.
