“Evelina will need a few days as well before she goes back,” Carwyn added.
The words settled like a weight on his chest. Selfishly, he wanted her with him, no matter where that was. They both had experienced unbearable loss, and he wouldn’t lose anyone else.
“She will have a choice to do as she wishes, but a Manornever backs away from their duties,” Carwyn continued. “Once she’s on the border, she can do as she pleases.” She gave him a pointed look.
His heart thumped in his chest. Once the lux was over and the crown passed, he could focus on taking down Moros. On making him feel every ounce of pain Daimon had felt in the past two decades. He would do it with Evelina by his side, light and shadows working together to defeat darkness.
Fifty-Six
Evelina
Lyria heldEvelina as she cried. They were lying in Evelina’s room, though the bed seemed foreign to her. She missed her rickety cot in the healer’s cabin. She missed seeing the Riders pouring in and out of their cabin at all times of the day and night, when Ranick and Elias would take off on a patrol together, or Keir would sit with her by the fire.
Her chest ached so badly she didn’t know if it had stopped beating altogether. She should’ve done more during the battle, should’ve found a way to keep Keir safe—should’ve found a way to push harder to stop Moros before he could kill Ranick and Elias.
She couldn’t stop the sobs that poured from her. It wasn’t just them she was grieving; it was her mother and brother too. She couldn’t even remember the last conversation she had with Ren, the last time she hugged him or told him she loved him.
A soft knock rapped against the door, nearly drowned by Evelina’s heaving cries. Her eyes were swollen shut, her throat raw. The light patter of steps moved closer to her and Lyria.
The weight of the bed dipped as someone came to lie down with them.
“I’m sorry, Evie,” Carwyn’s gentle voice soothed. “You’re not alone.”
An arm draped over her waist and squeezed her, sandwiching Evelina as Lyria snuggled in close from the other side. Evelina didn’t know what she would do without her sisters; they were her lifeline in this.
“Mother is with Father now,” Carwyn added softly. “The light of Caelum is upon them.”
Lyria hummed her agreement and sniffled. “We still have each other.”
Carwyn nodded, her face somber. But there was something in her eyes, a hesitation. “Evie,” she whispered. “Are you up to discussing a few things?”
Lyria frowned. “Carwyn, we should probably wait?—”
Evelina shook her head and pushed up, resting her back against her headboard. She sniffled, wiping her nose with her sleeve. “Whatever it is, I want to know.”
Carwyn and Lyria both sat up, settling themselves beside her. Carwyn blew out a long breath, and Evelina noticed the deep circles that had formed beneath her eyes. With the news of her mother dying, Evelina hadn’t had time to consider what this meant for the realm—for Carwyn.
“You’re preparing to take the crown,” Evelina said. Her voice was raspy, broken. “I’m sorry. You need us to be here for you?—”
Carwyn waved her hand. “Nonsense. Weallare here for each other.” She looked down at her hands. “But yes, preparations have already begun for the crown to be transferred. Though it happens by the will of the Divine, it should be any day now. I’ll be ruling in the interim until it officially passes and the coronation can be held.”
Evelina nodded her head. The realm needed a strong leader right now; they needed Carwyn.
“That’s not all,” Carwyn continued. “In the wake of so much shaking the foundation of the empire, the people need stability. They don’t just need a queen; they need a king.”
Lyria and Evelina exchanged a glance. Her sister’s eyes were wide, just as shocked as Evelina.
“And they’ll be getting one at the lux,” Carwyn said finally.
Evelina’s mouth popped open.
“Who?” Lyria demanded.
Carwyn smiled sadly. “Senna.”
Evelina nodded slowly, absorbing the news. It wasn’t a total surprise; Senna had always been the obvious pick for Carwyn’s consort. He was more than worthy—he would be a great partner at her side—but it was another thing entirely to marry him. Manorsnevermarried their consorts. Carwyn was forsaking the tradition of bonding human and fae rulers, a tradition that had kept peace between the races for centuries.
He would be the first fae king in all of Valon’s history.
