Chapter 47 - Home Alora It had been a month since I had been crowned Queen of Gardenia, the days seeming to slip away as the kingdom welcomed the summer solstice and our ruling.I was busy learning my new role, Damon's father and Grandfather helping ease us both into the important roles we both now held. However, it was easier having Helga by my side. I was happy to have her as my royal advisor, and Rachel had said she was a natural already. I knew she would be, though; she always loved to take control and never gave up the opportunity to tell someone off. It was also working in my favour because Lord folic was so busy fighting with her that he always missed out on voting for new laws or changes to existing rulings. Damon loved it, and it made the council meetings less gruelling. It was absurd how many times we had to have a council meeting. At least once a day, and most of the things brought up were trivial problems. By the end of the day, I was just happy to get some alone time
Chapter 48 - GoodbyesErikI watched as the sun set beyond the forest, the oranges and pinks of the sky blending together as the sun bid it farewell. It had been a long time since I had nothing to do, no responsibilities with the crown or of the guards. I thought it might help me move on from the hell that the last year had been without Athena, but now I realize that was a stupid notion. It was lonely, and the weight of losing my mate weighed heavier on my heart now than it did while I still ruled.I kept as busy as a retired King could, helping Damon when he needed to seek council or helping Apollo if he needed a hand with training recruits, but I knew that they both didn't really need my help. They just didn't want me to feel left out. Apollo was a natural at his role, and so was Damon. Despite what Damon said when he first discovered he would be the next in line to inherit the throne. He took to it as a bird took to the sky. He was a born leader and shined when he was in control o
Chapter 49 - To Love and Cherish ErikPeace was something that was talked about constantly. During wars, it was what we fought for. While ruling a Kingdom, it was what we strived to maintain. But I had never truly known peace until now. The thought of finally being ridden of this pain inside of me, knowing that soon I would be with my love once again, was freeing. The final night with my family started out slow, but it eventually picked up and ran right into the night. There was laughter and tears exchanged around the table as we shared stories of my past and everyone got a chance to say goodbye, getting the closer they needed.And as everyone turned in for the night, I found myself alone again; unable to sleep, I found myself outside. I stayed up looking out at the stars waiting for the sun to rise. I closed my eyes, letting the warm breeze brush across my skin, engraving it into my mind. "So you really are going to spend your last moments alive, sitting in a field of flowers like
Epilogue Three weeks later Damon The pressure of the crown was building as Alora and I settled into our new roles. My father was no longer here to keep the council at bay with their demands. But despite it all, I had found that I enjoyed this new life I had been given. The new responsibilities allowed me even more control over the Kingdom than the Captain of the guards ever could. All be it; I did miss the battle prep and daily training. But I still found holes in my busy schedule to take Alora out to the training fields at least once a week. I knew that eventually, our routine would become steady, and we would have more time to relax, but new rulers came with change and to have change, you needed to vote on old and new laws to pass. Alora and I had already made some big changes, like incorporating technology from the human realm into our daily lives to allow us easier communication with other realms. But there were still a lot of issues with the old ways of running our Kingdom
PrologueTick.Tick.Tick.The sound of the clock's hands slowly moving was the only sign that time was, indeed, moving forward. I bounced my knee up and down anxiously under the long dark oak table as my father and the council continued their debate. My thumb twirled the ring on my middle finger. The last gift my mother ever gave me - a gift she had made from a bracelet she received from Selene herself. I didn't want to be here, never wanted to be here. But today, my presence was necessary as it was a meeting about the kingdom.The debate continued. It had continued for the last half hour now.A debate I had no say in, really.Which was funny, considering it was about me and my role as future King of Gardenia and all realms. I couldn't stop my mind from wandering for the hundredth time, thinking of all the other things I could be doing right now. Anything was more important than talking about whether or not I should be wed before I am crowned. I let out a long sigh, sinking furt
Chapter 1 - BrotherhoodDamonThe swords sang as they clashed together. Training took place throughout the training grounds as my men worked towards finishing up their session for the day. It was an odd feeling knowing that soon I wouldn't be leading them as their captain but as their King. No longer the one they awaited to hear orders from. A few of the guards paused to nod their heads in greeting as I made my way toward the soon-to-be Captain of the guards. "You're putting too much weight on your front leg. It's what is throwing off your balance when you go to strike," Apollo said, correcting one of the newer recruits. Then, he took a stance, showing the young Fae how to stand. "Watch how I do it," Apollo moved into his stance, facing one of our more seasoned guards, Katrina. She was smaller than most of the guards, but what she lacked in size, she made up in speed and attitude. She was one of the fiercest warriors in the training groups, even competed in the summer solstice tou
Chapter 2 - Forgetful ThievesDamonEveryone we talked to have the same answer. As if their minds had been wiped clean of any encounters they had with the pirates. And it was no different for the tavern owner we spoke to now. He spoke as if his mind was stuck in a haze. First so sure he could retrace his steps of the last few days only to have him wrinkle his brow in confusion as he tried so hard to remember what happened. "It's the oddest thing; I just can't remember," He murmured to himself, rubbing the back of his neck. His brown eyes held a dullness to them. "It's okay, Lloyd. If you remember anything, let us know," Apollo said once again, placing his hand on the tavern keeper's shoulder, giving it a tight squeeze. The male was a Bear shifter. In his prime, he would have been someone I hoped I never crossed paths with. He still held his head high and radiated a power that made most fae watch carefully. The energy that demanded respect and compliance. No one that wanted to keep
Chapter 3 - Head in the cloudsAloraMy life has always been lonely. A princess locked away in a tower, unknown to the people and world around me. A girl who just wanted to be loved so badly that she stayed in that tower night and day so that she might one day know what love felt like.It was for my safety, my mother would tell me, to protect me against our enemies. The world was full of monsters, and until I could protect myself, I was to remain indoors. Hidden. But the Empress of Dreams had secrets like many others in the world. The daughter she wanted so badly that she used her own blood and magic to create me.Made. Thats what I was, not born but made.It was that magic that they would seek out and try to steal; to harness a whisp of my mother's power was enough to destroy a kingdom. To be made by it was unfathomable. So I did what she said like a good girl. I accepted her punishment for stepping out of line without a fight. I never asked for forgiveness because I knew I deser