A Crown of Cursed Hearts (Kingdom of Blighted Thorns #3)

73. Tempest

EPILOGUE

A Week Later

T he ceremony was about to begin.

I stood waiting in a room outside the courtyard at Lydel. Today, I’d marry my true mate, the only man I’d ever love. My Vexxion.

“You’re gorgeous,” Reyla said, tucking a stray strand of hair up into the ornate arrangement on the top of my head. It had magically appeared as soon as I’d donned my gown, and I sensed Airia’s involvement, though she hadn’t made an appearance. “Vexxion is going to swoon when he sees you.”

“Swoon, huh?” My low laugh hitched out. “I doubt anything could make that man swoon.”

“Only you, friend. Only you.” She gave me a quick hug. “I’m going to miss you so much.”

The ship had arrived to take her to Evergorne Court, and they’d set sail with the tide tomorrow morning. I wasn’t sure when I’d see her again. With so much going on here in faerie, we couldn’t travel with her, let alone be there when she formally wed the king.

He’d sent a proxy to stand in for him at the binding ceremony that would take place while they were at sea.

“I’ll see you as soon as I can,” I said. “Even if I have to fly Madrood across the ocean to reach you.” Vexxion had warned me not to flit there. He said magic was different in that world, and there was no guarantee I’d survive the journey even if I locked my mind on my best friend.

“Madrood might have some say in that,” Jessia said, rising from where she was sitting on one of the upright chairs. Dressed in a formal uniform, she strode over to stand in front of me. Her gaze skimmed my frame before she nodded. “Beautiful.” Tears sparkled in her eyes. “You look a lot like that portrait of your mother.”

My favorite picture hung above the living area mantel here at Lydel. I loved it because Aunt Vera stood beside her, her face unlined, and her eyes sparkling with joy. They were finally back together once more.

Oh, how I grieved. But I smiled through my tears. They’d sacrificed everything to ensure I could stand here in our newly formed faerie, ready to marry my fated mate.

As Gaineos had predicted in the ether, the veil had fallen. Zayde took control of Bledmire Court with Layla by his side. They’d held a small wedding, and we’d attended just a few days ago.

Vexxion and I planned to unify Weldsbane and Lydel into one court.

Riftflame’s High Lord had come to our wedding and was eager to talk about an alliance—too late, but certainly welcome. We’d put him off for a few weeks.

Already, new treaties were being formed, ones that didn’t place lesser or powerless below any other.

The Nullens who now called themselves fae were learning how to control their magic and making their demands known. The high fae had much to make up for.

The Lieges remained in a stone circle, watching over this land from one edge of the continent to the other. They had acted only once, when a high lord tried to control one of the lesser fae. He’d turned into smoke and was swept out to sea. No one had dared tell the lesser fae what to do after that.

As for the powerless, they were settling in the valley below the Xandest Mountain Range with the fortresses looming above. Some planned to take jobs at the fortresses themselves, while others were talking about hiring those who could perform magic to work on the wasteland. They hoped to turn it into a lush landscape, something it had been so far back, no one remembered other than them.

The door opened, and Layla stepped inside. With a hand on her belly, she hurried over to stand in front of me. Her smile swept through me like a fresh breeze and a beam of the prettiest sunshine. With a laugh, she grabbed onto my shoulders, staring into my eyes. “They said to tell you it’s time.” Her smile only grew bigger. “Vexxion’s waiting, and he looks amazing. Not as handsome as Zayde,” she winked, “but he comes close. There’s something special about our men, don’t you think?”

“They’re wicked, and we love them even more for that reason alone.”

“They sure are.” She winked again.

She felt good, and a foreteller said she’d deliver a healthy son. I couldn’t wait to hold my nephew in my arms.

Since they’d taken over the court, Layla told me Bledmire had changed, that laughter rang out, and they planned to refurbish to give the place a cheerier atmosphere. For now, neither Vexxion nor I had any interest in visiting beyond the few trips I’d make to free those still trapped inside portraits.

Vexxion and I planned to magically build a glorious manor on the cliffside border between Lydel and Weldsbane, and we’d move in once it was finished. The aerie would be complete at about the same time, and Madrood, Glim, and some of the other dragons who’d fought against Ivenrail’s army would settle there. We’d insisted on no gates and no barriers to keep them inside stalls—fresh ideas that had spread across the continent already, now that everyone knew it was possible to bond with a dragon.

“Are you ready?” Layla asked softly, straightening the jeweled strand dangling from my ear. “There’s so much love and hope in Vexxion’s eyes. He’s . . . He loves you. Not one person out there doubts that.”

Including me.

We’d purposefully not spoken in our minds since yesterday, wanting today to feel like a new start for us both. To think we’d come close to dying. I still shuddered when I pictured Ivenrail standing in front of Vexxion with a collar in his hands.

“Thank you.” I hugged my sister; grateful I’d found her and that she’d stand with me today. Only she and Reyla would walk with me down the aisle, though I sensed my mother and Aunt Vera would float in spirit nearby.

Other than my magically arranged hair, we hadn’t heard from Airia. The wraith chose the game; she was not chosen.

I had a feeling she’d show up when she was most needed.

“Your flowers.” Jessia handed me my bouquet and kissed my cheek before striding over to slip out the door to join the other waiting guests.

Once we were ready, Layla opened the door and nodded to one of my generals waiting outside. His gaze swept across me, and his grin split his bearded face.

“Lovely, my high lady,” he said. “Simply lovely.” He gave us a nod before striding toward the courtyard where he’d take his place at the end of the aisle to salute me as I passed.

We walked sedately through the hallway and stepped out into the blinding sunshine.

Dragons waited, lined up on either side of the path that would take me to the man I’d soon marry. When we appeared, they dropped down in grand bows, the bows and flowers we’d adorned them with shifting.

Only Madrood stood close the alter, to Vexxion’s right.

Drask perched on the dragon’s back, watching the procession. We’d seen no evidence Vexxion’s mother remained with the bird, and we suspected we never would again. She’d protected us for as long as she could, but now her spirit had traveled to be with those she’d loved.

I hoped she’d found peace.

I paused at the head of the path while my friends continued toward the archway where my love, my mate, my dream of a wonderful future waited.

Vexxion’s gaze met mine, and my heart flipped over.

His sapphire eyes I’d adored from the moment I met him glimmered with an intensity that pierced straight through my heart. The curve of his smile was both gentle and unrestrained. So much joy shone in his eyes. Lines of tenderness edged his lips, revealing a love so pure it seemed fragile. But the strength of our love had seen us through the worst, and it would continue to protect us as we savored the wonder of the new life we’d face together.

His gaze held me captive, unwavering and full of pure adoration. A wave of warmth surged inside me, and my pulse quickened as if drawn by an unseen force. Every fiber of my being was electrified by his undeniable devotion.

Time itself had paused to honor this moment between us.

You’re gorgeous, my love, he said in my mind. Elegant.

And you look refined. Lovely.

We both smiled, remembering the words he spoke to me long ago at the fortress. They’d become a mantra we used to tease each other—until we fell into bed and lived them together.

Beautiful, he added.

Exquisite, we said at the same time .

Come be my love, my forever bride, the only woman I’ll ever need, he said softly.

I started down the path, following Reyla, my gaze locked on Vexxion waiting at the end.

You’re the anchor that steadies my storm-tossed heart, I whispered, my throat tight with emotion. In your eyes, I've found a mirror of my soul's longing.

Our love is woven into my every heartbeat, he said. Together, we’ll create a sanctuary where our souls will forever be safe and free.

As we spoke our personal vows, it was all I could do not to cry. I held it back. I wanted to see my love and stand with him with clear eyes.

As Reyla and Layla walked over to stand on Vexxion’s left, leaving the spot beside him open for me, the faint scent of roses filled the air. I pulled it in, my heart pinching tight.

“I’m thinking of you, Mama,” I whispered. “Thank you for loving me. For protecting me. I promise I’ll take care of your roses.”

I walked over to stand in front of Madrood, gently stroking my fingers down his long snout. He huffed sparks, though he took care not to get any on my dress.

A blessing on you both, he said, and I could tell he spoke in both my mind and Vexxion’s at the same time. May the fates bring you joy.

“Love you, Madrood.” I leaned forward and kissed him between the eyes.

He huffed again and shook his head, but I could tell he liked that I’d done it.

Leaving him, I continued across the open, flower-strewn area and stepped up onto the dais where the elder waited behind the man I loved.

When I reached Vexxion, he took my hand and turned me to face him.

Back at the fortress, I’d never dreamed I’d find someone like him or that my future could contain so much heartrending sorrow.

A storm had raged across our land with a ferocity unlike anything seen before, tearing through armies and shattering lives. Dark clouds had swallowed every hint of light, as if hope itself had been lost in the depths. But storms didn’t last forever. Gradually, the winds calmed, and the rain slowed to drips, leaving only sodden leaves and a quiet assurance that something better was coming.

We all now stood on a land bathed in sunlight, one washed clean by nature’s wrath.

Every ending held a new beginning.

I’d found mine in Vexxion’s arms.