A thundering silence fills the throne room, the only sound my pounding heart.
Then my mother walks toward me, her steps echoing. Her eyes shine as we stand nearly chest to chest. She’s so much shorter than me, yet I feel like a child beneath her gaze. But I hold myself steady.
Princess Niamh takes the ram crown off her head and places it on mine. A great weight settles over my brow.
“I bestowed this crown to you many decades ago,” she says. “I always knew you were deserving of it.”
Then she falls to one knee in a deep bow.
One by one, the throne room joins her. My father, the guards, even the princes bow their heads. Rosalina flashes me a wink as she drifts to one knee.
Everyone here… They’re offering me their trust.
I hope I am worthy of it.
72
Rosalina
Itakeafewdeep breaths outside of the throne room, staring up at the late afternoon sky. The princes are still inside, finishing up a discussion with Princess Niamh. After Farron’s proclamation and his mother’s endorsement, we freed the princes—and poor Astrid and Marigold, who’d been captured in a tiny cage before they could turn back into their fae forms. We warned the Princess of the army preparing to march at dawn.
I also connected with my father and Farron’s brothers. They escaped capture by hiding in the alder tree and are still there now, trying to see if any spells survived that might help Farron against Perth’s army. Papa was overjoyed when I told him about my mate bond with Farron. But there’s no time to dwell on celebration while the city needs protecting.
Anxiety riots in my chest. Tomorrow, Coppershire will be under attack. Farron called for a war council meeting this afternoon to devise a strategy. I know there is great magic in the Autumn Realm, but Perth Quellosrose the dead. His minions can create a frost that can freeze any living thing. There’s no time to ask for reinforcements from the other realms.
I squeeze my eyes shut. I have faith in Farron. In the strength of Autumn. I have to hold on to that.
The doors creak open, and the four princes file out, faces grim. But Farron softens as he sees me. “Rosalina.”
A sense of peace floods my nervous body as soon as he wraps an arm around my waist. I lean against his chest.
But I feel their gazes like a spotlight.
“So, uh, I guess we should talk about this,” I say, trying not to sound awkward. “Something happened with Farron and I…”
“Rosie.” Farron weaves his fingers through mine. “I’m pretty sure they already know.”
My gaze locks with Keldarion’s. “You felt it, didn’t you?”
To my surprise, only a rueful grin breaks across his face. There isn’t a hint of jealousy or possessiveness in his features. “You are mates. Of course, I felt it.”
“Your curse?” Dayton asks.
Farron looks at me with a look of genuine love, then turns to the princes. “My curse is broken.”
Water brims in Dayton’s eyes, and he pulls us both into a massive hug. “Fare, I’m happy for you.” He presses his lips quickly to Farron’s cheek, before turning to me and muttering in my ear, “Thank you, Rosie.”
I clutch him tight, feeling his salty tears on my face. Relief floods through me. I was worried about how he would react to me and Farron being mated. But his joy is so pure, it’s like I can feel it coursing through me. To see that Dayton is okay… I don’t think my heart could take it if we lost him.
Ezryn clutches Farron’s shoulder. My mate wraps an arm around his waist. “Ezryn,” I say, “please tell me, is there a smile beneath your helm?”
“There is, Petal.” I hear the truth of it in the light reverberation of his voice. “I’m overjoyed for you both.”
Only Keldarion does not join the embrace. “We should make a quick return to Castletree before the war council and observe the state of High Tower. We can return through the door to Keep Oakheart.”
“Wonderful.” Farron pops his head out of the group hug. “I want to observe what’s happening with our roses.”
“My necklace was a no-go last night,” Dayton says. “Been too long since I was at Castletree. Kel, you were there most recently, so try yours.”
