How lucky I was to be seen, to be appreciated—not just for how I looked, but for who I really was. Silas clearly admired Lily’s efforts in dressing me up in the island’s best, but his touch told me he loved me for something deeper.
“Alessia,” he said again, clearing his throat. “You are so beautiful.”
“Thank you,” I said again. “But really, I had nothing to do with it. Wanda and Lily—”
“No, I’m not finished,” Silas interrupted. “Please let me finish. What I wanted to say is that you’re the most stunning woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. You are beauty beyond my wildest dreams.”
I gave a shy smile and tilted my head. He obviously wanted to get something off his chest, so I waited patiently for the other shoe to drop.
“What I wanted to tell you is that I will love you and respect you as queen. You’re the Fae Queen, and there isn’t anyone more perfect for the role. After tonight, there will be no doubt in the universe, not that I’ve ever had a shred of doubt.”
It would’ve been easy to make a quip about how I hadn’t had much of a choice about inheriting my powers, but it wasn’t the time for lighthearted banter. I could see him struggling to find the words, so I waited.
“But I also want to be very clear,” Silas continued. “I loved you before you were queen. I’ll love you after. Even when we’re no longer on this earth, I’ll love you whatever that looks like.”
“I love you too, Silas.”
“I don’t know how our lives will change once you have the official title as the Triune Queen, but there will be ripples across the world after your coronation ceremony, and thingswillchange. Everyone will know your name. I want you to know, here and now, the reasons I love you have nothing to do with royalty, your beauty, your history, or your powers. Or maybe I love you a little bit for all those reasons, but it really is everything—all of you. I want you to know that.”
His words came faster now, like he needed to get them all out before he lost the courage.
“I want you to know I’m here for you in whatever way you need: as your friend, your confidant, your lover. I’ll be with you through whatever lies ahead.”
Tears pricked my eyes. I rose onto my tiptoes, my feet still bare beneath the silky dress, and kissed him. His hands slipped around my waist, the warmth of his palms pressing to my lower back. My belly fluttered as I leaned into him, our kiss deepening. My hands tangled in his hair. His hug was so tight it stole the breath right out of me.
“I love you,” I whispered. “I’ll always love you.”
“I love you too,” he said roughly. “Until the end of our days.”
A knock sounded on the door, and Lily reappeared. She looked reluctant to enter, like she knew this was an important moment for us, but she stepped inside nonetheless.
“Sorry to break this up,” Lily said. “But it’s time. Everyone’s ready. The guests have started arriving.”
“Of course.” I stepped back, needing to physically catch my breath.
“I’ll check in with Ranger X,” Silas announced. “I’ll be back soon. If there’s anything you need, Lily knows where to find me.”
Lily gave a firm nod, and Silas left the room.
“Might as well get Wanda started on a wedding dress, huh?” Lily gave me a cheeky smile. “I know, I know. Get crowned and defeat the Darkest Lord before we talk about weddings. Fair. But I’m just saying, when the time comes, I’ll be happy to help plan your nuptials to that hunk.”
“Plan my wedding? I don’t need you to plan it.” At Lily’s frown, I quickly added, “But I wouldn’t mind if you wanted to be my maid of honor, if that day does come.”
Lily’s mouth fell open. “Yes. That’s a definite. Now shall we go make you queen, so we can get on with the fun stuff?”
six
Itookasteadyingmoment before stepping out onto the second floor of the castle. When I made my way onto the balcony, the sight of the crowd stretching before me on The Isle took my breath away.
I’d seen crowds here before. Curious crowds. The night of the Procession of Spirits, we’d had onlookers, though just a few. I’d been to the full moon ceremony with the gnomes and the Wish Festival, and none of that compared to what lay before me tonight.
People lined the river on either side. So thick were the throngs, the crowds pushed into The Forest on the west side of the island as everyone strained for views of the castle. I watched as several people waded into the shallow riverbanks, craning necks in my direction.
People were dressed in all sorts of beautiful clothes of all colors and fabrics. Children clung to parents’ hands. Faces shone up at me, expectantly.
Lily nodded at me, then she smiled as she moved to the center of the balcony. For all her talk about still being new to theisland, she had quickly made herself a staple. Everyone knew Lily the Mixologist. Everyone trusted her. I wasn’t sure there’d even been a doubt that she should be the one to kick off the coronation ceremony.
“Welcome, Islanders,” Lily said to the gathered crowd. “Thank you for turning out to support Alessia Wells as she becomes our next Fae Queen. Most of us, all of us probably, never thought we’d see the day. A day when a Fae Queen would return to take control of her court. The Court of Isles.”
