Chapter 20

TWENTY

Cassia

A hush falls over the assembled fae as I step into the grand throne room and see my husbands-to-be. All four stand tall, marks from their torture still visible in the still healing wounds and bruises on every inch of their exposed skin, but they're no longer just barely breathing. Strength has been restored to them, which is surprising, given where we are. They wear suits that seem tailored to fit them: a dark orange one for Prince Forrest, a blue one for Prince Cobar, a white one for Prince Zane, and a deep green one for Prince Sulien.

My stomach clenches. They look handsome and strong. Every bit the rulers of the Fae Kingdom.

And I'm going to be their queen.

Lady Nova slips away from me, joining the people standing on one side of the aisle. Only the living are in attendance, and I'm beyond grateful for that. I've never pictured what my wedding would be like, but even so, I'm firmly in the court of not wanting the dead here, although I can still feel them. Those threads from them to me are as strong as ever.

Because I'm a fae from the House of Death, like my mother.

It's strange. This is my mother's home. My mother's lands. And yet, I wish my father and grandmother could be here with me now. They're the only thing that's missing.

Harps begin to play a song as old as time, and I force myself to move forward, white flowers cover the black silk fabric beneath my feet, delicate and beautiful. My gaze locks with Sulien's, and the look on his face takes my breath away. He looks… amazed. As do the other men. Insecurity makes me wonder if it's the black dress, but I know deep down it isn't. It's me. Just like I'm overcome by them, they're overcome by me.

I can't believe fate led us to one another.

When I reach them, I don't know what comes over me. I have to touch them, all of them. I have to know they're really here and safe. My hands run over their arms, their chests, and their faces. I might look crazy, but I'm studying every bruise, every wound. They're going to be okay. They are. Unlike when I was hurt, both their bodies and magic were tested by my mother, so their wounds were harder to heal. They would take time, but the healers promised me that they would be fine again soon.

Tears gather in my eyes. "You're here."

"Where else would we be?" Cobar teases.

And you're okay. The music continues playing.

"We'll heal," Zane says, and it sounds like a promise.

"I've been through worse," Forrest responds gruffly.

We laugh, and Cobar elbows him.

Then I face Sulien. "You're okay?"

He's quiet for a moment before he nods his head.

I reach out and touch his face again, and his auburn eyes meet mine. "You don't look okay."

For a minute I don't think he's going to answer, and then his lips part. "My body will heal. And as for this, I'm happy as long as you're happy to marry me."

My heart aches. "As long as my family will always be cared for."

"Always," he promises. "But you're my concern. I want you to be happy, too."

I grin. "Then don't eat snacks in bed, don't chew with your mouth open, don't flirt with other women, and don't stand in my way when there's something I need to do."

"Agreed," he says easily.

"It's that easy?" I ask, lifting a brow.

"It's that easy," he repeats.

Shaking my head, I pull back from my men. The fae from the House of Death are still watching, although the music covered most of our words. Still, I feel my cheeks heat. I'd forgotten they were here for a minute.

"Are you ready?" Lady Grave asks, and my gaze goes to her.

Nodding, I stand taller. I've never been to a fae wedding, or one at the House of Death. I have no idea how this is going to go down. Hopefully, without a lot of nakedness and dancing. The fae love their naked dancing.

Sulien and Frost move to my left and Cobar and Forrest remain on my right, seeming to understand how this should go, even if I don't. We form a half circle around Lady Grave, who stands at an intricate carved lectern. The throne room is bathed in soft, silver light, as if the night sky expanded around us. The vast ceiling's paint resembles the starlit sky.

I wouldn't have ever imagined I'd be getting married to four princes, much less here in the House of Death, but it's perfect. Perfect, except for that my grandmother and father aren't here. But I know they'll be there and healthy for all celebrations moving forward, so that has to be enough to keep me smiling now.

I look around at my four princes–the future kings of the four courts–making eye contact and smiling at each one. Damn, they're handsome. Why the hell was I fighting this so hard?

Lady Grave looks out over the small crowd and begins speaking in a voice that sounds like a gentle breeze. "Under the watchful gaze of the moon and stars, above the graves of the fallen, we're gathered here today to witness a transcendent bond between these five fae. The fates have decided that they should be together, and nothing, not even death, can stand in their way."

She's right. Nothing could keep us apart, even though many have tried. We've been through so much in our short time together, but we chose each other in the end. I know we'll do the same thing in our marriage. Before, I couldn't see it. There was too much going on. But my mind is clear now, and my heart is open.

"Each prince has prepared vows. We will begin with Prince Sulien." Lady Grave points to Sulien, and he steps forward to face me, taking my hand in his.

"As children, I knew there was something about you, though I didn't know what, until we met again. When you came back into my life, my world transformed. You filled it with warmth and richness, softening the edges, replacing shades of gray with color. Without you, I would've never discovered these things, and although I could live without them, I can't survive without you. I love you. I vow to be your protector and your confidant. I will cherish you in times of joy and comfort you in times of sorrow. I promise to prioritize you above all else and dedicate myself to you, our love, and our life together. And I promise that we will have a different marriage than any I've seen before, a better marriage. No one and nothing will stand in the way of that commitment. I am yours, now and forever."

He places the gentlest kiss on my hand before letting it go and stepping back.

Zane steps forwards next. His voice is steady, but filled with emotion. "You are the fire that melts my ice, giving warmth to my life. Not just warmth, but love and compassion. Two things I never knew how badly I needed before you. With you, I know I'll have a family that cares. That watches out for each other. And I know that we'll bring children into this world who will feel loved and valued, the way they deserve to feel. I will be your unwavering support, your comfort at the end of a long day, and your companion. I will be your partner in every sense of the word. I am yours, now and forever."

He gives my hand a squeeze before returning to his place. I gulp down the emotions bubbling up inside of me. There's two more to go, and I have to keep it together. A steadying deep breath calms me down enough to take Cobar's hand next.

He grins at me with his beautiful full lips and flicks a rogue golden curl out of his face before beginning. "You are the sunshine in my life. I promise to try to shine for you as brightly as you shine for me. I'll share my dreams..." he pauses and winks at me, "and my fears. I'll share my bed with you… and these other three lugs, but no one else." There's laughter from us and the crowd. "I'll be the kind of husband you can be yourself with, and you will always be enough for me. More than enough. My everything. My heart is yours to keep. Forever will I be your sanctuary. I am yours, now and forever." He bows and returns to his place and claps Forrest on the back.

Forrest's green eyes sparkle as he stands in front of me. He doesn't take my hand. Instead, he reaches out and caresses my cheek, keeping his hand there. "Cassia, all I've ever wanted was someone to love and care for, and someone to love and care for me in return. To find a person I could truly know to the core and to be known in return. To have a connection that goes beyond the surface to our deepest selves that we keep hidden from all others. I know I have that with you, and I vow to cherish every moment we share, to cherish you and the unbreakable bond we share. I've never loved before, but I'll learn. I'll learn all there is to love you completely to be everything you need. I am yours, now and forever."

He lets his hand fall back to his side, and he steps back in line. All eyes turn to me, and my nerves kick in. I take a deep breath and step back to face all four of the princes.

"I ran from you, afraid. Afraid of being hurt, of loving but not being loved in return. Afraid of the intensity of our bond, but not understanding it. When we were apart, I felt an empty ache in my chest. It only eased when we were together, but still I ran. Without you, I was alone, afraid. With you, I am whole, I am fearless. Being with you… With all of you feels right, it feels like home."

I stop a moment just to gaze at each prince, each so different, each mine. Nerves that had been fluttering through me vanish. I know exactly what it is I need to do next. I go first to Sulien. "Sulien, I promise to make our home a place filled with love, laughter, and color. I am yours, now and forever."

I face Zane, desperately holding back my tears that threaten to spill. "Zane, I promise to fill our home with warmth, to never let the flame of our love die out. I am yours, now and forever."

I see the mischievousness on Cobar's face, but sense the hidden emotions running deep. "Cobar, I promise our home will always be bathed in warmth, and my heart filled with love for you and our family. I promise to cherish your heart and…" I laugh, "and our dreams. I am yours, now and forever."

"Forrest," I say, tears streaming down my cheeks, "I promise to see you for you, for the incredible man you are. To always want you in my life and in my heart. I promise that our home will be a place full of love, a place that's safe and good. I am yours, now and forever."

I take a step back so I can take in all four princes. "I love all of you, and to each of you, I promise to help you rule and to be the queen each of your courts deserve." I sigh. I feel the power of my words, but I feel lighter…happy even.

We turn to Lady Grave. "Let these five mates become one united soul, married, bonded by an unbreakable force of love that will remain, even in death."

There's a round of cheers, and I feel my heart glowing. We're married. It's done. All we have is our future in front of us, and it's looking bright.

Then, for one terrible moment, I feel it. The barrier. A wall of red like a blinding snake weaving around the outskirts of our entire kingdom. It's like a living beast, moving, but also always staying in place, filled with power that comes from the very earth beneath it, and… me and my men.

I see the whole continent. I see the vampires, the shifters, and the witches… and the iron demons sprinkled throughout everything, dark splotches of cruelty and pain. Only our kingdom is safe from the iron demons, the monsters. And only because of the powerful barrier we've erected, keeping them at bay.

I shiver. Sweat rolls down my spine. If that barrier falls… no, no I can't think about that now. Not when faced with it. Not when feeling the power emitting from it.

Curling my hands into fists, I focus on the energy coming from me and my men. Theirs isn't nearly as bright as my own, but I can sense that their magic is healing. Rebuilding. Mine will be enough to protect them and strengthen the barrier, for now. Because we're joined. We're one.

Hands grasp my arms. I try to blink away the vision, but then I see them more closely, and my focus shifts to the iron demons once more. They're not at all the way I imagined. The iron demons look like monsters, thrusting against the wall, trying desperately to break free. Big muscled beasts with claws and sharp teeth. Creatures that might have once been human before something terrible happened to them.

They thrust against the barrier. Something draws them to it. Our magic? Our life? I don't know, but they're relentless.

Coaxing my magic, I send more of it toward the barrier, watching the barrier grow thicker and brighter everywhere it goes. The light brightens from the barrier, brighter and brighter until there's an explosion of light. The monstrous creatures race away from the barrier until they're gone from sight.

A shaky breath slips from my lips as relief moves through me. The barrier is easier to strengthen without the creatures fighting against it. Why? I don't know, but I'm just glad they're gone.

It must have been so hard, and so lonely, for my men to be responsible for all of this for so long. But they won't ever have to do this alone again. I'll be right here with them.

I'm blinking. Zane's concerned face is near mine as he holds my face in his. He's breathing hard. "You're okay. That's it. You did it. That was the worst of it; it will never be like that again. Your powers are linked with ours."

Is that what just happened? Our powers linked against the barrier? My ears ring and my head aches for a moment.

Zane strokes my face. "I've never seen anything like it, the barrier is more powerful than it's ever been."

It's hard to process it all. "Is it really strong?" Is it safe?

Cobar is serious, and Cobar is never serious. "The iron demons stay by the wall, no matter what we do. This time, they left. They fled the barriers of our lands. No doubt that will cause problems for the Vampire Kingdom, but that's not our worry now."

"So…?" I'm struggling.

Zane strokes my cheek. "Our marriage solidified the boundary. We're all safe. It's over."

It's over. Worrying about my secrets. Worrying about my family and how we'll survive. Worrying about whether the princes and I are actually right for each other. It's all over.

"Is she ready?" Lady Grave asks.

They look at me, and I nod, even though I don't know what she's talking about. My men draw back to their places, their shoulders back, looking like they're ready for something. Something I don't have a clue about.

"Now, if you'll do me the honor of crowning you," she says, and there's excitement in the crowd.

I'm surprised, but my men don't look surprised. They look happy. We all line up and kneel, and fae bring pillows with crowns made of flowers and bones. This is it.

As Lady Grave places a crown on Sulien's head, she says, "Rise, King Sulien Theros of the Summer Court." Then she reaches Forrest and places his crown. "Rise, King Forrest Wilder of the Fall Court." Next is Zane, and he holds himself still as the crown comes to rest on his head. "Rise, King Zane Frost of the Winter Court." Finally, she gives a small smile to Cobar when she places his crown. "Rise, King Cobar Bloom of the Spring Court." They're all standing beside me when she takes a more delicate version of their crowns and stands over me before gently placing the crown on my head. "Rise, Queen Cassia Wither of the Four Courts and Lady of the House of Death."

When I rise, cheers ring out over the crowd, and we turn to face them, linking hands. I'm queen. They're kings. This really happened.

Behind us, Lady Grave says more quietly, "You're now wedded, but to fully complete the ceremony, this marriage must be consummated."

A nervous flutter dances in my throat as I try to swallow down the knot that suddenly formed there. I guess if I can handle a battle with the House of Death, I can handle this too. Right?