Chapter 24

Chapter Twenty-Four

Anash

Three weeks later, we finally make it back to Ralossi Palace.

Princess Suvi would have gladly arranged a lavish escort featuring us at the center of a grand parade complete with banners, trumpeters, and fanfare, but that's not our style. And luckily, Suvi is the kind of person who respects that.

So we arrived in the quiet of the liminal light of dusk upon the rooftop turret, Zenith's comfort space. Although he chuckles when I call it that.

"You were afraid of heights once," he says.

"I know." I bump my shoulder into his arm. "Someone helped me conquer that fear. Someone special."

We descend the spiral staircase and cut a clear path to my mother's quarters. My heart thuds against my ribcage, racing just like me, so eager for our reunion.

Only my years of training in courtly etiquette keep me from barreling straight through the door without knocking. Instead, I pound two loud raps, giving her a few seconds of warning, then barrel straight through the door.

"Mum!" She sits in her antechamber, cup of tea in one hand, biscuit in the other.

She drops both. "My son!"

We slam into quite possibly the best hug I've ever experienced. I breathe in her familiar sweet smell, rub my cheek against her soft hair, grip her waist with the strength of a pogglewomp. "Mum."

"Oh, darling. How I've missed you." She squeezes so tight I can hardly breathe, but who needs air when they have their mother's love?

"I missed you too. So much."

"Let me look at you."

We lean back just enough to stare at one another and grin. It's so good to see her face.

After a long moment, she gazes past me and offers a warm smile. "Welcome home, Zenith. Thank you for looking after this one for me."

"It was a privilege, Your Majesty," he says in his most formal tone. I'm not looking, but I'm pretty sure he's bowing too.

"Now, now." Mother lets me go and urges Zenith upright. "We're to be family. You must call me Eilonwy or Mum if you prefer."

Zenith's bristled cheeks turn lollyberry pink.

Laughter rumbles my belly. "Good luck with that, Mum. It took me ages to get him to call me Anash." And sometimes he still calls me "my prince," but only in the bedroom, so I keep that bit to myself.

Then Zenith surprises me. "It's good to see you…Mum."

Mother wraps him into her embrace, and I enjoy the warm cozies that come with feeling at ease with the people I love best.

Speaking of. "Is Karia back yet?"

"She got in last week, she and Flint both. They're safe and sound with new friendships forged with the Vesper Queen, Falia."

Relief washes through me. Mother safe. Karia safe. Zenith and I safe. "When can we go home?"

"Soon. We were waiting for you." She kisses my forehead like she used to do when I was little, then turns to Zenith. "Have you ever been to Tierney?"

He shakes his head. "I haven't. It's an island."

"Ah, right. You gargoyles don't like water much."

"No, but crossing the sea will be worth it. And anyway, I can float now." He casts his bashful gaze on me.

"You were afraid of water once," I say.

"I know." He bumps his arm against my shoulder. "Someone helped me conquer that fear. Someone special."

Zenith

Ralossi palace is different under the authority of Princess Suvi, er, Queen Suvi, than it had been under Aurielle. The simmering tension is gone and replaced with hope. The former rebels have been invited into the palace gates, into the great hall, and onto Her Majesty's council as new plans for Luminia are laid out and designed.

As we enter to greet her, they cheer for Anash and me.

Suvi rises from an ordinary chair, just like the ones everyone else is using, having abandoned the throne entirely. She needs no throne to be regal. Her nobility is in her easy way with all people, the curved line of her welcoming smile, and the goodwill of her outstretched hand.

"My friends have returned." She tugs Anash in for a hug, then opens her free arm for me.

I have to hunch over and huddle to make it work, but the three of us embrace, and I can hardly believe this is happening. I, a servant of the royal bloodlines, being treated as family everywhere I turn.

Happiness brings tears to my eyes, which is a funny thing. I don't understand it, and I blink them away before anyone notices. Silly tears. I have no need of them when everything has turned out so well.

"I'd ask you to join us here, but we are about to head outside to watch for the parade!" She claps her tiny hands in glee. "They should be here within the hour."

We make our way as one big group to the front steps of the palace. Karia walks arm in arm with Suvi, which Anash promptly copies, taking my arm in the same fashion. His face is flushed and happy. He's been well fed this morning, and I preen a bit that his glow is partially due to my… efforts .

Outside, folks spread out and chat among themselves. It's heartening to witness how at ease people are, even just a few weeks after the conflict.

Suvi still has guards, as a queen must, but even they are more relaxed than before. Except for Flint, perhaps, who dotes on her with obvious dedication.

The sun shines on Lemossin, and trumpets ring out from the city's main street. Not the blaring of war trumpets this time, no, the victorious tune of celebration for today.

The soldiers are coming home, having been sent out to squash the rebellion and instead having firmly joined its cause. The men and women, fae and halflings, from Lemossin and the surrounding areas deserve this proper fanfare.

And at the front and center of it all sits Captain Randal, the man who wrangled so much of their success with his experience, intelligence, and kindness, waving wildly from the back of his war pony.

I chuckle merrily, all the while extremely glad it isn't me riding to the palace with the entire town watching. Let Captain Randal have the big parade. He's more than earned it. Without him, my place as high general would have been worth next to nothing.

We join the cheering as the contingent draws closer, clapping and whistling for their safe return.

Even Suvi's brothers, Princes Evani and Tomas, are present, though they aren't paying much attention. They seem to be arguing over the contents of a black velvet box held between them.

Anash scolds them by slapping their haggling hands with the blunt end of his tail. "Ssh."

I can't be bothered to care what's got the two of them worked up. They were mean to Anash once, and thus, I don't like them. They're lucky their sister welcomes all , even the likes of the petty princes.

"Suvi," says Anash quietly among the din.

"Hmm?" She leans in.

"How did you know the Gatekeeper would help us?"

"I didn't. I hoped. The stories of him are so bizarre—bedtime stories to scare little children and the like—I knew they couldn't be true. No one really steals babies or drinks blood. That's crazy. I figured he's just a lonely old hermit bored of guarding a gate that never opens. That he'd probably jump at the chance of something important and interesting to do. And luckily, I was right."

I don't even want to think about what might have happened if she'd been wrong.

"Did he bring Aurielle back here?" asks Anash.

Her expression darkens slightly. "Yes. Mother is here. In a guarded dormancy cradle next to grandmother. Safe. Unharmed. Sleeping."

Anash lays a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry she wasn't a better mother to you. You deserve more."

She smiles. "I have more. I have you. Your sister. Flint. Zenith." She flashes her smile up at me too. "Plus Cobalt, Ridge, and my brothers, pesky as they are."

I think of Talus back in Willowood. He could have come with us, but in his healing journey, he has struck up an unlikely friendship with Hiluron. So he decided to stay. I'm glad he's safe, happy, and recovering more and more each day.

We're all lucky to have each other. I never thought I'd be a part of something so precious as lasting friendships and a real family.

My silly tears return.

Anash wipes one gently from my cheek with his thumb. "It's okay to cry, dear heart."

I sniffle. "But I'm happy."

He smiles brightly. "It's okay to be happy too."