25. Epilogue

TWENTY-FIVE

EPILOGUE

brEYA

T he rich pastures of the Savanna-Wyeberry Kingdom twinkled under a glaring sun. Breya had grown used to the polarizing state of the climate in the area after three glorious months as the blended realms' future queen. She had been unshakable in her commitment to get the new kingdom on its feet, playing her part as both shifter and earth healer.

She found herself slipping into the role once Thorne had marked her, the business with Queen Cassia having been swiftly and fittingly dealt with. All of her woes about the people of Savanna not warming to her had been abolished once she started embracing her true self on the heels of Thorne's confidence and support.

Breya, the healer-witch, soon-to-be queen of the realm, moved into each day with a dreamlike grace and charge. She was eager to help the people of Wyeberry, and with the acute aid of Thorne's wealth and recovery plans, they did just that. Cottages and shops were rebuilt from the ground up. The logging workers returned as spruces and evergreens flowered. It was slow going, but Breya and her king never lost faith.

At the same time, Breya's love for Thorne deepened. As she flourished in her commitment to healing, he thrived as a caring and generous king.

What she found in him was a good man, a man who was destined to lead a massive kingdom of lions with a healing queen by his side. She relished every day of her good luck. Breya had never felt more invigoratingly sexy, even when she was bouncing around on a rainy day in her pajamas.

But the wedding was coming up as was Breya's coronation. Because the population of the realm had swelled, the numbers having nearly doubled, the witch was starting to feel nervous.

Thorne comforted her with his words and actions, never falling short of his own ability to temper her anticipations. Breya had returned to the human village only a week after she had been marked and informed her parents and Anya about all that had occurred.

"Your family is going to be there," Thorne said. "If you become intimidated by the crowd, try to look at them. Or me , of course."

He flushed with that handsome smirk. Blue and silver mingled in his eyes with equal vividness. Every once in a while, she could catch a glimpse of the gold that exposed his animal within. She had grown quite fond of his lion side as much as his human side.

"And where will you be?" she asked tentatively.

They were sitting on the veranda in their robes, sipping on specialized wine from one of the most recently established vineyards. Thorne had expanded the gardening and botanical groups out to Wyeberry and introduced a wine-making offshoot. Breya herself had aided in the planting and subsequent cultivation of the orchard, which grew lush cherries and hardy red grapes.

He twirled the glass in his fingers by the stem, still grinning ferociously. It made Breya let out a long, breathy sigh.

They had been making love nonstop. Breya thought it wasn't such a terrible way to let off steam.

"I will be at the end of the aisle at first. Then during the coronation, right next to you. We both place our hands on the stone—or sacred boulder, as you will—and we make the statement."

"Together," Breya said.

He leaned forward and opened her legs to the night winds. She wasn't wearing any underwear.

"Together," he repeated, his eyes glimmering like starlight. "Always together."

The wedding and coronation was a combined ceremony that welcomed guests from every corner of the Wildwoods. The wedding was opened only to the most trusted and close members of Savanna-Wyeberry royalty and council, whereas the coronation and the following celebration were to be privy to anyone with the desire to attend.

Despite Thorne's advice, Breya was still incredibly nervous. She no longer feared the judgment of the realm. They had embraced her with open, warm arms ever since she began to heal the Wyeberry survivors, but she felt herself overcome with anticipatory fear. She was actually going to be a queen. The label and the responsibility weighed on her nearly as heavily as the crown itself.

She was thankful she was able to see her family before the wedding ceremony commenced. They were ecstatic to see her, and couldn't wait to visit once the rituals had been performed.

"I can't believe you're marrying a king," her sister said with a wink. "And you always worried so much about where you fit in."

Her parents seemed entranced by the pomp and grandeur of the castle. She assured them it was a lot at first, but they would grow used to it. They gave her a tight hug and kissed her cheeks.

"We love you so much, darling," they said into each ear. "And we are so proud of you."

Those were the words she'd been longing to hear her entire life.

The witch was dressed in traditional Savanna garb which included a long train with lion hairs sewn into the inseam. It was a radiant orange while the gown she wore beneath it was a plum purple. Gems were sewn around the collar in a heavy kaleidoscope string.

Breya also wore the emerald necklace that Thorne had originally bought her in town. The diamond-encrusted silver didn't exactly match with the rest of the monarchal attire, but she didn't care. After all, she was about to become a damn queen.

Trumpets sounded as Breya waited at the grand hall doors. It appeared like the entire realm, hell, maybe even the entirety of the Wildwoods was cheering right outside the castle doors. People hooped and hollered on a lovely Savanna day, not too stifling and not too frigid.

Everything was just right.

The doors parted, and Breya was led down a long and winding runner with the mantle of her cape dragging along her back. She held Lilies of The Nile between her palms, a unique brand of flower that looked like baby blue stars bursting forth from gentle green stems. The hall was crowded with royalty, but Breya didn't dare look—she was fixed on the man who was about to become her husband.

Light streamed in from the skylight and formed a golden pool around him. His hair was no longer tied back or restrained. It ran down the front of his militarized-style suit, his own traditional cape burning hot orange through the blindingly white and sterile environment.

Her legs felt like jelly as she stood before him, their laugh one of ridiculousness. They didn't have to write their own vows as the statements were pre-written for them through the rites of passage of the Savanna ancestors.

That was when the boulder was brought in.

According to legend, the rock had been carved away from one of the last canyons that once thrived within the dry plains of the Savanna desert. Over time and through various battles of ownership, the canyon had disintegrated. All that was left was a single boulder, and every king and queen who was sworn in had to place their hand upon its face and make their intentions known.

They stood next to each other, hand in hand, as they recited yet another timeworn statement of yore.

"We swear to take on the strife and victories of the people of Savanna-Wyeberry. We swear this as leaders of the realm, as selfless beings, and to guard all that belongs to it."

The clergyman who stood behind the boulder clanged a bell. Those in attendance rose from their seats, and Breya was asked to kneel.

"We will now crown Breya Kaydalle-Bawold, witch-healer of Savanna-Wyeberry, Queen of the realm."

Breya lowered onto the veld box, still holding Thorne's hand. The doors of the castle had been opened to let in some of the townspeople, and they had already begun chanting her name.

It filled Breya to the brim with pride.

The crown was brought out as she kneeled in front of the boulder. It was made of old lion bone, stitched with red-haired manes and ancient jewels. As the minister placed it on her head, Breya let out a sigh of relief.

It wasn't nearly as heavy as she anticipated.

Her attention was drawn to the voice of a townsfolk yelling jubilantly. It set off a wave of applause and roaring glee as Thorne helped her to her feet. Tears streamed down her face as they both curtseyed for the very first time as rulers of the sacred realm.

The trumpets sounded again. The sunlight beyond led them along the mango-colored runner, emerging onto a balcony to greet their people.

"My goodness," Breya muttered under her breath.

A sea of endless people whistled and praised from below the castle. They seemed to stem from all walks of life, their faces overjoyed by the presence of their king and queen.

Thorne held her by the waist as they both waved euphorically. She laid her head on his shoulder and the crowd broke out in an excited exultation.

"They love you," Thorne said, proudly.

"They love us ," she corrected, gazing up at her beloved.

He continued to wave with one hand as he met her stare. Breya felt a wave of unconditional love surge through her as powerful as any healing spell she could cast.

"Congratulations, My Queen," he whispered.

"And to you, My King."

She tilted her head for him and closed her eyes. Thorne pressed his mouth against hers, their first kiss as rulers of their magical kingdom.

That was the beginning of the rest of the healing witch's life. Every day, she floated in a dream, always with her king by her side.