Tale of the Heart Queen (Artefacts of Ouranos #4)

Chapter 43

C HAPTER 43

NADIR

T he morning after Atlas’s capture, we gather our things, preparing for our journey to Heart. Neither Lor nor I arrived with much, but we’ve stocked up with some new clothing and necessities. After we learned about Zerra’s sight when we’re in proximity to the Artefacts, I summoned Etienne to get the Crown away from us and to a safe location until we need it.

Two days ago, while out walking, I came across a blacksmith selling some of the most beautiful weapons I’ve ever seen. They sparkled in the sunlight, and when my gaze fell upon a dagger anchored with a red, heart-shaped stone in the hilt, I couldn’t help myself.

I retrieve it from where I’ve hidden it as I watch Lor stuff her pack. I catch her solemn expression. She hasn’t said anything about what happened with Cloris, but I know it’s on her mind.

She looks up, catching me watching her, and gives me an uncertain smile.

“Are you okay?” I ask, and she shrugs.

“I’m . . . nervous.” She tips her chin towards my hands. “What’s that?”

“Something for you,” I say as I approach with the dagger and hold it out to her. She looks at it, her gaze pausing on the heart stone, and then looks up at me. “I saw it and thought it would be perfect for you. As long as you don’t mind having something from Aphelion.”

She presses her lips together and shakes her head. “I don’t mind.” She reaches out and accepts it, pulling the blade from the sheath. “I think my feelings about this place have changed. Atlas will receive justice, and yesterday, I chose to forgive him for what he did to me. I won’t live with this in my heart or my mind anymore.”

She blows out a breath and looks up at me, and I’m so proud of how much she’s grown, my heart feels on the verge of bursting.

“And now they can all try to start over.”

The blade shines in the sunlight, and she tips it left and right, the reflection bouncing off its surface. “It’s beautiful,” she says. “Thank you.”

She approaches and loops her arms around my neck, stretching up on her tiptoes.

“I love you,” she says.

“I love you too.” My hands find her waist as I pull her in closer.

“You don’t think I’m a monster for what I did to Cloris yesterday?”

I arch an eyebrow. “Why would I think that? You know how hard I get when you’re violent, Lightning Bug.”

She huffs out a laugh and slaps me playfully on the shoulder. “I forgot who I was talking to.”

My smile tips up. “You know I love you no matter what. And that witch deserved it. If you hadn’t done it, I would have destroyed her on the spot.”

I take her chin between my fingers and kiss her deeply, reminding her just how much I love her. How this thing I feel for her extends straight through the earth to a place with no end. If fate is intent on separating us, I’d be happy to spend countless years—lifetimes if I had to—waiting for her because what we have is inescapable. Inevitable. As constant as the moon and stars.

“We should get going,” I say as I pull away, and she nods before sliding the dagger back into its hold.

We meet the others in the palace entry and say our goodbyes to Gabriel, Tyr, and Erevan. I notice Tristan and Nerissa in the corner, wrapped in each other’s embrace, as she looks up at him, speaking quietly. My gaze slides to Lor, who also watches her brother. It’s none of my business, but I can see how much she wants this for him.

I look away and then embrace Hylene, who will remain in Aphelion too. Apparently, she’s comfortable here, though she refused to give me details on what exactly she’s been up to with the captain of the king’s warders. I’ll get it out of her eventually.

My gaze snags on the golden tattoo on Gabriel’s neck, and I watch as he absentmindedly touches the spot. He notices my attention and his hand drifts away. Gabriel and I have never had the freedom to be friends, but had we been born into different circumstances, I think we could have been great ones.

Soon, Tyr will release the warders, attempt to destroy the ark, and send us a message when it’s done. He asked for some time to work up to it, and I’m praying he can summon enough power. But we still have a long road to travel before we’ve destroyed all the arks, so we can allow him time.

I reach out my hand, and Gabriel takes it before we wrap each other in a hug.

“Thanks for everything,” he says gruffly.

“I didn’t do anything,” I reply. “But I’m glad you will finally be free.”

Gabriel looks around and gives me a rueful smile. “Not yet, exactly,” he says. “How do you do it? Make decisions you know will affect everyone?”

I blow out a slow breath. “All you can do is let your conscience guide you. Nothing you do will ever make everyone happy, but I’ve always found that following my beliefs usually serves me well.”

Gabriel squeezes his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose.

“You’ll figure this out,” I add.

“Probably not, but at least I’ll go down trying.”

I clap him on the shoulder. “That’s the spirit. ”

Then his gaze falls to Lor, and they study one another for a moment. She rushes towards him and throws her arms around his neck. I can tell he’s not quite sure what to do with that because his arms hang limply at his sides before he finally wraps them around her waist.

They hug for several long seconds before they pull away.

“I’m sorry we can’t stay,” she says. “Will you be okay?”

“Eventually. I hope. Maybe.” He rubs his hand down his face. “Thank you for all your help after the quake. You and your brother.”

“It was no problem,” she says. “But we better go.”

We say our goodbyes, and then we depart.

Etienne has returned and will use his magic to transport us to Heart in groups of two. Lor and I are the last to arrive. As we appear outside the walls of the first settlement, I notice the way Lor’s shoulders lift, as though being here fills her soul.

I squeeze her hand, and she looks over at me with a smile.

“This way,” Etienne says, and we fall into step next to him, passing through the gates. “The others went on ahead.”

We make our way through the streets, and several people notice our presence. There’s no need to hide Lor any longer, but now is not the time to reveal everything either. Their curious glances follow us, but no one stops us. “Rhiannon convinced one of the wealthier merchants to give up his home for a few days,” Etienne explains.

Quite frankly, I’m a bit surprised there are wealthier merchants in the settlements, but I suppose power will always grow in a vacuum. We pass through the village and head into the outskirts on the far side, delving into the trees .

“Where are we going?” Lor asks.

“Lord Maida built this house many years ago,” Etienne says. “Apparently, he finds the village depressing.”

Lor lets out a derisive snort. “How charming.”

We wind through the trees for a few minutes before coming upon a black wrought iron fence with a tall gate spanning the pathway.

“He also wants to keep everyone out,” Etienne says wryly.

“Who is he?” Lor asks.

“He claims he’s a very distant descendent of the Heart family,” Etienne says, and I hear Lor’s sharp intake of breath. “But as far as anyone can discern, he’s likely full of shit.”

“Why do you say that?”

“No one can remember him from before the breaking,” Etienne says. “But he did show up with money and helped fix up some areas of the settlements while also establishing many of the buildings you see. And then he built himself this.”

Etienne pulls out a key and unlocks the gate, swinging it open for us.

The short walk leads us to a modest home two stories high. Though it’s not extravagant, it’s clearly well tended and loved, as evidenced by the verdant garden, blooming with red roses, and the sculptures that dot the pristine green lawn.

“Why have I never heard of this place?” I ask, and Etienne shrugs.

“He mostly keeps to himself. Doesn’t like to mingle too much.”

“And where is he now?” Lor asks.

“Rhiannon has a seaside villa in Alluvion,” he says. “Some rich suitor gifted it to her years ago. She offered it to him for a few weeks, and he jumped at the chance to enjoy a little beach holiday.”

I cast my gaze about. Though the home is nice, this forest is gloomy. A sense of foreboding hangs in the air, and I understand why he took Rhiannon up on the offer.

Etienne swings open the door to find Rhiannon already on her way down the hall.

“Lor! Nadir!” she exclaims. “It’s so good to see you again.”

She wraps Lor in a warm embrace and then folds me into a hug. It has a motherly sort of affection to it, and the act makes a knot swell in my throat. I need to see my own mother soon. It’s been too long, and I fear for her safety given my father’s recent behavior. But I can’t leave Lor’s side either.

Rhiannon talks a mile a minute as she leads us up the stairs, chattering with excitement about meeting Willow and Tristan. She then takes Lor and me down a hall, showing us which rooms she’s designated for the other rulers of Ouranos.

Nothing is very fancy—they’re all used to more luxurious surroundings—but I don’t think anyone will be insulted by what we’re offering. They all know there’s very little left of Heart, and quite frankly, this is nicer than I was anticipating.

“I saved this room for you,” she says, swinging open the door. “Etienne might have mentioned that you two would be sharing?”

She cocks her head and studies us.

“Yeah,” Lor says, looking at me. “You remember when you told me my grandparents were mates?”

Rhiannon’s eyes widen a fraction. “ Of course?”

“When you told me about their magic reacting . . . well, I realized that Nadir might be mine.”

“I remember you started acting strangely,” she says before a wide smile spreads over her face. “Oh well, isn’t this wonderful? After you’re settled, I have so many questions for you. If you don’t mind? I’ve always been fascinated by mate bonds.”

“Sure,” Lor and I both say. After everything she’s done for us, it feels like the least we can do.

Rhiannon opens the door and gestures us inside, and that’s when Lor gasps. This room offers a view of the Heart Castle in the distance, the white spires peeking over the tops of the trees.

She presses a hand to her chest and swallows as my hand settles on her lower back.

“You okay?” I ask, and she nods.

“I want to see it again,” she says. “Last time—”

“Let me send Mael and Etienne to do a quick sweep and make sure it’s safe.”

I don’t bother trying to talk her out of it. I already know what will happen if I do.

“Willow and Tristan can come too.”

“Of course,” I say.

She looks up at me and gives me a watery, if grateful, smile.

“Thank you.”

“I thought you’d like this one,” Rhiannon says from the doorway, her voice soft. “There is food downstairs whenever you’re ready.”

She closes the door, and we drop our bags and clean up from travel before we head to the main floor to find the others .

Mael and Etienne leave immediately to check out the castle while Lor explains her plan to Willow and Tristan.

“If you want,” Lor says. “If you’re not ready, you can stay here.”

She clasps her hands, and I can tell she’s trying not to appear too hopeful. She desperately wants them to see it.

“Of course I’m coming,” Tristan says, and Lor smiles before turning to her sister.

“Willow?”

I watch the older sister of Heart look out the window. From the first floor, we catch glimpses of the walls surrounding the city visible through the trees.

“I don’t know,” she says.

Lor drops to her knee and rests her arms on Willow’s thighs.

“What’s making you hesitate?”

“I’m scared of how it will feel.”

Amya reaches over and clasps Willow’s shoulder, and Willow folds her hand over hers.

“It’s overwhelming,” Lor says. “I won’t lie. But I had Nadir with me, and he made it feel a little less scary. A lot less scary, actually, and you’ll have me and Tris.”

My heart seizes at those words, and I resist the urge to clutch my chest. Did she really feel that way? We were so at odds then. It felt like a bridge we’d never be able to cross.

“We won’t let anything happen to you,” Tristan says. “And if it’s too much, we can always leave.”

“Nadir and I will wait outside,” Amya says, laying a gentle hand on the back of Willow’s neck. She looks up at her, and I sense the trust that passes between them. There hasn’t been much time to discuss what’s been going on with them, but it’s easy to see they’ve grown closer. “You say the word, and I’ll fly you out of there.”

That elicits a nod from Willow. “Okay. I can do that.”

Lor breaks into a grin and wraps her arms around her sister. “I can’t wait to show it to you,” she whispers.

Willow presses her cheek to the top of Lor’s head, and they hold on to one another for a long time before they finally break apart.

After that, we fill up our stomachs and wait for Mael and Etienne to return. When they give us the all clear, we prepare to leave.

It doesn’t take long to push through the forest before we arrive at the border of the desolate plain that Lor and I crossed many weeks ago.

“This is where it happened,” Lor says.

“It’s . . .” Willow says, her voice trailing off as she stares at the wreckage.

“I know. But we’re going to fix this,” Lor says, and I hope she believes it. I believe it. Somehow, we will fix this.

“Come on.”

We continue over the rough terrain until we reach the crumbling wall surrounding the city. The roses continue to bloom, each flower so bright and precise that it’s hard to believe they’re real.

“Nadir said they started growing when Atlas took me from Nostraza. Coral told me they are blooming for me,” she says, her voice thick with emotion .

She picks a rose and buries her nose in its center. I see her in a flash, somewhere in a distant future. Standing with a crown on her head, wearing a long red dress, the sun gilding her dark hair with a golden halo. She looks over her people, happy and content. And I’m there with her because I will always be with her.

Cloris said one of us had to give up our role as Primary, but the choice was easy for me. This is where she belongs.

She looks over at me, catching my stare, and nods. I see the thank-you she shares in her eyes.

“Amya and I will wait here,” I say, placing my hand on her nape and pulling her closer to kiss her temple. “Just call if you need us.”

She nods and then reaches out, taking the hands of Willow and Tristan on either side.

They stand together at the threshold, looking over their family’s ruined queendom.

“Ready?” Lor asks, and Willow and Tristan nod.

She looks over her shoulder and blows me a kiss before the three siblings of Heart enter their homeland together, hand in hand, for the very first time.