Chapter 19

NINETEEN

Cassia

I can't help but smirk at my reflection in the mirror as I don the eerie wedding dress. It's black and made of the same material that all the fae in the House of Death seem to prefer. Lace, so delicate that it feels like almost nothing as it lies against my skin. It clings to me, in every way, hugging the lines of my body until it hangs looser from my hips down.

Did Lady Grave really see this, too? Did she know what would happen down to the size of my wedding dress? I laugh. The notion is ridiculous. Still… the dress fits me perfectly. I only wish my father and grandmother were here to see me now.

Tears sting my eyes. Everything has been happening so fast. That's the story of my life lately. The world has been whipping by me, and I've been left clinging to nothing, trying to figure out which way is up and which way is down.

"And what I should and shouldn't be saying." I stare at my reflection, thinking about the moment I agreed to marry the princes. I was just trying to keep us moving, to get us and the kingdom to safety, but I should have said I wanted to marry them. That I was scared, but I loved them.

"They're my mates," I tell myself, and something inside of me warms.

My mates. I've never thought much about having a husband, and now I have four fae princes about to become my husband s . But regardless of what's on paper, they're my mates. Men who should love me forever and be ever by my side.

Yet, it isn't just that they're my mates. I want them at my side. I want to be with them.

The door to my room creaks open. I reach for my dagger, but Lady Nova steps in before I grasp it. She's surprisingly wearing a dress too, a simple green one that comes to her knees made of a similar fabric as my black dress. Her hair is left loose around her shoulders, giving a feminine air to the fae that I hadn't thought possible before.

"Is this traditional House of Death bridal wear?" I ask and twirl around to give her a full look at my ensemble.

She smirks. "That's quite the look. It certainly does fit the aesthetic of this place."

It does. This place is fucking creepy. "It's weird that they have this dress in just my size, isn't it? I mean, this whole thing is weird, right?"

Lady Nova shrugs. "The Keeper of Death was much more powerful than Lady Grave, but Lady Grave has the power of premonition. It's likely she foresaw everything, and used this situation as an opportunity to get rid of the Keeper of Death."

That surprises me. Something about the people of this place made me think the Keeper was held in high regard. Maybe because when she took control of the princes, none of them did anything to stop it. But I guess not. Maybe they were just waiting for me to kill the bitch and get rid of her.

I don't know how I feel about Lady Grave plotting all of this out. If she did, she played the long game for sure, but at my expense and the expense of the princes. And, seriously, though, I killed the damn woman with a knife. Weren't there easier ways for Lady Grave to get rid of her?

My mind refuses to accept that. "But I just took the bitch out with a knife… and maybe an army of the undead."

Lady Nova chuckles. "Most fae are stupid and cocky. They rely on their powers more than common sense or logic." The faint smile on her face disappears. "Don't become that kind of queen. The kingdom can't take much more of that. You have to be smart. You've already proven that you are. Don't let becoming royalty take away who you are deep down inside."

I give her a knowing smile. "Don't worry. I'll make sure to add common sense to my daily queenly duties."

She glares at me, and I straighten my back, giving her my most regal look. She shakes her head at me as if she's not quite sure she believes me. Or, perhaps, she's not sure how seriously I'm taking this whole thing.

Maybe once upon a time I didn't. Maybe I was only concerned with my life crashing down and the four princes trying to spear me with their royal forks, but I've had time to think and grow. I realize that as a queen who lived her life as a human, there's so much I can do for the kingdom. Not all at once, but with time, I hope to make life better for the humans. And I intend to make sure the fae aren't left to continue being so soft and useless.

"You're certain?" she prods, when I don't say more.

"You have my word," I tell her, and I feel power vibrate through the promise. "I won't let anything keep me from doing what's right and best for the kingdom." I'm not just a girl who takes care of her father and grandmother anymore. The kingdom's future rests on my choices. I can be a great influence on all four future kings if I work at it.

I turn back to the mirror, taking one last look at myself as just Cassia Withers, "human" girl before I become the Queen of the Four Courts. It's weird, it's actually starting to feel right. Me, as a queen. Me, as a mate to four amazing men.

"How are they?" I ask. I don't need to explain further; she knows who they are.

"They're doing better. The House of Death is strong, and so are their healers."

I feel some of the tension easing from my chest. "This is all so strange. Knowing they're my mates. Knowing this feeling inside of me is real and that I shouldn't ignore it."

"Fated mates are remarkably powerful."

My gaze moves to her in surprise.

"Given the brightness of the sparks when you found each other, that's exactly what you are. Fated mates have the most powerful connection among the fae."

This is crazy. "Yet, everything is still happening so quickly."

"But you're okay with it?" Her words hold a defensive air, and I get the feeling she would move heaven and earth to help me escape if I suddenly changed my mind.

"I'm okay with it. It's just fast." I hesitate. "What happens if after all of this they decide I'm not worth it? Or we have nothing in common? Or they're just terrible in bed? Like thirty seconds in, explosion , and out?"

She smirks. "You'll figure it out. You're mates."

Deep breath. "Right. Mates who don't have to worry about dishes, bills, or where our next dinner is coming from. But who also have to keep a whole kingdom safe from iron demons, make the fae play nice, and create changes that the fae might not like."

"You can handle it," she says, grinning.

I can handle it , I tell myself.

"Are you all right to travel back to the Summer Court without me?" Lady Nova asks. "The House of War wants me to stick around and keep an eye out here after everything that happened with the Keeper of Death."

Smart idea.

"Of course! The five of us should make the journey easily." I pause, thinking about their conditions. They'll most definitely need a few days of rest and healing first, though.

She gives me a sharp look. "Keep training. Powers like yours, that have been tapped into only after finding your mates, are rare. That power will be the kind we haven't seen in ages. You need to learn to harness it and control it."

"Wait. Is that why they surfaced now?"

Lady Nova nods, adding, "It's very rare. Only a handful of occurrences in our recorded history. You're remarkable, Lady Cassia." And she sounds sincere.

She pulls me into an unexpected hug, and I can't help but to think these past few days with her have been the closest thing to having a sisterly relationship I've ever had. She's taken the time to teach me and encourage me and even protect me. I'll never forget everything she's done for me.

"Do you have time to escort me to my soon-to-be-husbands?" I ask, not wanting us to separate just yet.

Without her help, we all wouldn't be here.

"Absolutely, Queen Cassia," she says, taking my hand in hers.