Slowly, her eyes fluttered open. The group huddled over her and pressed in tighter. Daimon reached for her, grabbing her hand. Evelina’s skin grew hot, almost too warm to touch. Her eyes were open, but they weren’t focused on anything, just gazing up at the night sky.
Suddenly, she moved, rolling onto her side to face Carwyn. She pushed herself to her knees and pulled Carwyn to her chest, slowly rocking back and forth.
“Evie?” Lyria dropped to her side, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Evelina jumped at the contact. Senna lowered to her other side, grabbing Carwyn’s hand. Daimon watched as Evelina’s eyes followed his touch, wishing he could protect her from the pain.
“Evelina, what happened?” Senna pressed. “Why isn’t Carwyn waking up?”
Evelina shook her head, her voice cracking as she said, “She’s gone.”
“What do you mean she’sgone?” Lyria asked quietly.
Evelina gently set Carwyn down. She tucked a strand of Carwyn’s hair behind her ear and leaned forward, gently kissing her forehead. Daimon helped her to her feet.
“Carwyn’s soul will not be returning to this plane,” Evelina said. Her voice wobbled, but she took a deep breath. “She’s with our mother now.”
Gasps rippled, followed by murmurs from the crowd. Lyria broke into tears, her hand flying to her mouth.
Daimon hadn’t dreamt of being in the Celestial Plane with Evelina. She was about to become queen. His hands shook and he tucked them into his pockets.
Ellerry placed a hand on Evelina’s back. Evelina twisted around, her panic palpable. Ellerry gave her a solemn nod as Evelina’s forehead pinched, gathering the strength to speak to the crowd. Daimon wished he could stop her from saying the words that would change them forever. Instead, he took a step back, realizing this was a moment she could only face alone.
Evelina took a deep breath and said, “I am to be queen.”
A blazing crown of white flames ignited above her—the Eternal Crown that had been forged by the gods and goddesses themselves, gifted to the fae to be passed down from generation to generation. It hovered just above her head, formed into sharp points all the way around.
All eyes were set on her, on the crown she now wore.
Ellerry leaned over and whispered in her ear. Evelina nodded, reaching up, her fingers skimming the bottom of the floating crown.
“The Eternal Crown has chosen its successor,” Ellerry shouted. “Long live Queen Evelina Manor!”
Evelina’s eyes found Daimon. When their gazes met, he could hardly breathe, his lungs fighting to work. Gone were the hazel irises he loved, and in their place were halos of fire matching that of the crown. Her brows drew together sharply, causing the crease between them to deepen. He longed tosmooth it out, to stroke his thumb over it until her worries melted away.
He slowly lowered himself to the ground, kneeling before her. Among a sea of people, there was only them.
“My queen,” Daimon murmured.
Slowly, the crowd followed him and began to bow. One by one, they dropped to their knees, shouting their wishes for Queen Evelina’s long reign. Once the entire crowd had bowed, the full weight of what was happening came crashing down on Daimon.
“The Valon Empire has been forged by blood and strength,” Evelina addressed the crowd, her voice steady and sure. “We are not weak, and neither is our land.”
The ground rumbled beneath their feet, the vibration slowly growing stronger until glasses of wine toppled off of crates and crashed to pieces against the rocky soil. Flowers bent toward the crown, trees swaying as if reaching out for Evelina.
It was as if life were being breathed back into the forest, rippling out into the empire at large. A new queen brought a rush of fresh Essence, especially with a fae as strong as Evelina. Her light was intertwining with the land, dispelling the darkness that had been slowly sucking the life from it.
The land welcomed her, and so did its people.
Sixty-Two
Daimon
There was alwaysa part of Daimon that knew he would lose Evelina. Even with their souls bound, their bond didn’t connect to the physical world—to their physical bodies. His hand, smooth of the scar, was proof that their love couldn’t exist in this realm.
She would be queen, bound to wed another, and he would go to the border just as he always had.
The crowd surrounded her, offering praise and whispers of blessings. Senna stepped to her side, helping her back to the palace. Daimon watched them disappear into the crowd, while he faded into the background.
