41. Taryn

FORTY-ONE

TARYN

The grand hall of the Summer Palace is a vision of elegance tonight. The long table is set with shimmering Ember dinnerware and draped with delicate vines of blooming flowers that seem to glow in the soft candlelight.

The air hums with the faint notes of a light melody created by the Ember Pixies flying high above, and the scent of fresh, summer air wafts through the open windows, mixing with the aroma of the feast laid out before us.

I sit beside Finn, his hand warm in mine under the table. On the other side of him is Caiden and Bryn, who is positively glowing in the last weeks of her pregnancy.

Across from them are the Woulfe brothers, and Fiona and Tiernan are seated across from us. Dmitri is stationed at the foot of the table, with Aine opposite him as the hostess of this gathering.

A week ago, the battle with Edevane seemed like it might be the end of this world. It almost was. There was a lot of damage done, both structurally and in lives lost. But in the aftermath of a tragedy is when people come together to aid those in need, and it was no different here.

Flora Fae of the Spring Court, Frost Fae of the Winter Court, and Fauna Fae of the Fall Court all came out to help the Fire Fae clean up, rebuild, and honor their dead.

I was prepared to use the Power to fix it all, but Aine advised me against it. “Just because you can does not mean you should ,” she said to me. “If you snap your fingers and resolve everything for them, the Elemental Courts would not be forging these bonds. I suggest you help in smaller ways that will continue to foster goodwill among our people.”

It had been good advice, and it made me realize I have a lot to learn from her experiences, both good and bad. However, I did make it a priority to lift the exile on the Celestial Courts as well as the subsequent curses.

Darks and Lights will soon be able to choose whether they want to live where they are or return to their home regions in Faerie. They’ll also be able to travel back and forth without losing time when they go back to the mortal world.

The blood curse on the royal lines is gone, so Caiden and Bryn no longer have to worry about their proximity to each other—though I’m fairly certain they don’t need a threat of death to be attached at the hip.

The lifespan curse won’t take them around the age of 500 anymore, so they’ll live as long as is normal for us. And finally, the court-born powers and wings have been returned to those who once lived in Faerie and future generations will inherit their magic and be born with wings as well.

Sadly, I was only able to return things to what they were, not create magic where it never was. Specialty powers had never been taken, so Finn still has his seer powers now that they’re no longer muted. But for fae born in the human realm, they’ll never have their court-born magic or wings. I felt awful about that, but Finn reassured me they won’t miss things they never had, and I hope that’s true.

Yes, much has changed in such a short time, and tonight is a celebration of new beginnings.

Aine rises from her seat at the head of the table, her eyes sweeping over the guests. “Thank you all for accepting my invitation. This is a celebration of our victory and a gathering of new friends,” she begins, her voice clear and regal, yet tinged with a softness she’s not known for. “But I would also like to take this opportunity to make amends.”

A hush falls over the room. I glance at Finn, who gives me a reassuring squeeze.

“Some time ago, two kings angered me, and for that insignificant slight, I chose to banish everyone in their courts and placed curses upon them as well,” Aine continues. “What I did was not only wrong, it was inexcusable. I am exceedingly remorseful for my actions, and though I do not deserve it, I hope that one day I might earn your forgiveness.”

She turns her gaze to Tiernan, as he’s the current Night Court ruler, but never one to cater to proper protocol, the Rebel King winks at his older brother. “Go ahead and take this one, man, I know you want to.”

Caiden, ever the composed royal, stands and bows his head. “We graciously accept your humble apology, Your Majesty. And, as we are about to become family,” he says grinning briefly down at us on his right, “I believe it is only right that we forgive the past and begin with a fresh slate moving forward.”

“I am grateful, thank you,” Aine says genuinely, offering him a respectful dip of her chin.

Then she turns her gaze on me, her eyes gentling further. “Taryn, I deeply regret pushing you to be someone you were not. I should have listened when you expressed your desire to serve our people in your own way. You have proven that your heart and spirit are stronger than any title.”

Emotion swells in my chest hearing the words I never thought I’d hear. “Thank you, Máthair ,” I say quietly, feeling Finn’s thumb tracing comforting circles on my hand.

“I also have a proposal for you,” she says.

“You’re too late, Your Majesty, Finni already proposed.” Conall holds his Ember goblet of fae wine up. “To the happily engaged couple!”

I laugh in shock as everyone—including both of our usually very low-key brothers—erupt into various forms of cheering as they clink glasses left, right, and across. Apparently, not even the rigidly formal dinner party with the One True Queen will curb this family’s vivacious camaraderie. It’s contagious, and amazing, and I love it.

Finn uses practicing for the reception as his excuse to kiss me—keeping it mother-appropriate, thank Brigid—and I’m happy to go along with it because I’ll never get enough of kissing him. Eventually, we break apart and the others settle down.

Dmitri, who’s promised to make an effort to be civil with my mother, gets us back on track. “I believe you were saying you had a proposal for my sister, Aine.”

In Dmitri’s world, being civil does not include using her title, because “she is not his tsarina .” The stubborn ass is lucky I love him.

My mother gives Dmitri a cool look and the arch of a single dark brow. “Indeed, I do, vampire. Thank you.” And that is the extent of her agreed civility. But no hurled insults across the table. So, winning.

Aine lowers herself to the plush, high-backed chair and speaks to me in a more informal manner. Well, informal for her means she’s physically on the same level as someone, but I’ll take it.

“Historically, the One True Ruler is whomever possesses the One True Power. They go hand in hand, you see. For they are each a burden and a gift and must be utilized together for the good of Faerie and her people.”

O-kayyyy, so we’re just going to gloss over all those years a certain someone was emotionally volatile and highly retaliatory? Good to know. Absolutely no denial detected, and no therapy needed. Moving on.

“Which brings us to our current dilemma,” she continues, oblivious to my snarky inner monologue. “You are in possession of the One True Power, yet you have never coveted my title. Has that changed?”

“Not really. I want to help our people however I can—and I’m finally comfortable with the Power—but I still don’t love the idea of being a ruler.” My brows knit together. “Are you suggesting that I bequeath it to someone who does?”

The corners of her mouth lift ever so slightly, but on Aine Emory it’s enough to change her entire expression. She’s like the Mona Lisa of faekind. “No, child. I am saying that there is nothing that proclaims the one who possesses the Power must also be the Ruler. It is only that those who covet power tend to do so in all manners. But you are different.

“Therefore, what I am suggesting is that we offer the position of One True Ruler to someone who is both qualified and willing to work with you as an equal partner for the people of Faerie. You will have the ability to help others with the Power, and the freedom to bow out of all the politics and grandstanding, if you so desire.”

Finn’s arm slips around my waist, drawing me into his side. “That’s the best of both worlds.”

“I think it’s a great idea,” I agree, a spark of hope burning in my chest. “But wait, why would we need to find someone else? You already know the job and have the title. Why wouldn’t you and I work together?”

“I still have much to teach you of the Power, and I intend to do that. However, I have been Ruler a long time and wish for a simpler role within our court.”

Finn gives my waist a gentle squeeze, detecting my tinge of disappointment. “Do you already have someone in mind, then?”

Aine turns her gaze on my fiancé. “You.”

The table erupts again, the girls congratulating him prematurely, the twins teasing Tiernan and Caiden about having to bow to their baby brother, and Dmitri laughing at gods-know-what.

Finn and I lock eyes, shock registering on both of our faces. But mine quickly turns into a huge smile because yes . I am 100% on board with this plan.

When the room calms down again, my mother elaborates, addressing my shell-shocked fiancé directly.

“Prince Finnian, from the day you arrived with my daughter, I have watched you work hard with your people and mine to prepare for a monumental battle within a short time. You are a natural leader, one who does so by example and easily earns the respect of others.

“Then, in the aftermath, I watched as you helped my people restore their homes and businesses. I watched you care for the wounded and play with orphan Firelings. All that is to say nothing for the obvious reverence and love you have for my daughter who possess the Power and will soon be at your side as your mate.

“You have a kind heart, a bright mind, a warrior’s spirit, and vicious determination to protect others—these are all traits of great rulers. And that is why, Prince Finnian, I believe you would make a great One True King.”

A ripple of agreement runs through the room, along with more jokes and teasing, but Finn and I are in our own little bubble, our heads close together. “This is crazy, right?” he asks me. “I’m not sure I’d make as great of a king as your mother seems to think I would. I haven’t had any sort of training or?—”

“Hey.” I stop him by placing a hand on the side of his face, his short beard soft against my palm. “There’s a thing called on-the-job training and your instincts will guide you to do what’s right. Besides, the fact that you don’t think you’ll make a great king, is the very reason you will .”

Finn rests his forehead against mine and releases a heavy breath. “I love you, you know that?”

I smile. “I do, because you tell me a dozen times every day.”

He frowns. “Only a dozen? That’s just sad. I’ll get it up to two dozen, I promise.”

He’s uncomfortable, so he’s deflecting with jokes. I’ve learned that the only place Finn feels comfortable being praised for an achievement is in the octagon. Even then, he’s not a showboater who gets off on the attention. I think with a little time, though, he’ll gain the self-confidence he needs to be every bit as great as my mother predicts.

“Finnian,” I say, my tone serious. “You’ve always believed in me, even when I couldn’t believe in myself. Let me return the favor. You were meant for this. I know it the same way I know we were destined for each other.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

He frames my face and crushes his mouth to mine, pouring a myriad of emotions into this kiss, and I recognize every one of them. Finally, he pulls back and stands, a humble expression on his face. “Queen Aine, I will accept this honor on one condition.”

“Which is?”

“Being the Ruler over six courts is a big enough job without adding the additional role of ruling one of those courts individually. I’d like to ask that you remain Queen of the Summer Court and accept a seat on my board of advisors as well.”

My mother’s smile brightens more than I’ve ever seen it, which can only mean one thing: she’s pleased with herself that she was right about Finn. Raising her goblet, she says, “Happily.”

“I think this calls for a toast,” Caiden says, raising his glass high.

Everyone follows suit, the room filled with a sense of hope and unity.

“To Finn, our baby brother and future One True King, and to Taryn, his future queen, mate, and partner who has embraced the One True Power. They worked together and finally ended Edevane’s vengeful mission, saving us all. It’s true what our grandmother said—melding darkness with the brightest of flames really is a winning combination.”

Everyone laughs at that, but if I never have to decipher another cryptic message, it’ll be too soon. No offense, Grandma Moira.

“Finnian, Taryn,” Caiden continues, “may your reign be long and your love eternal. Congratulations to both of you, for everything. Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

As I clink my glass against Finn’s, I feel the weight of the past lift, replaced by the promise of the future we’ll build together.

“Cheers, solnyshko ,” he says in my ear.

“Cheers, my kind, bright, warrior king.”

“You forgot the vicious part,” he teases.

“Sorry, I stand by my cinnamon roll assessment. Unless you want to show me how vicious you can be?”

His eyes flare wide before narrowing with clear intent. “Are you topping from the bottom, brat?”

Batting my eyelashes, I say, “Me? I wouldn’t dare, sire.”

I can’t help the wide grin spreading across my face as I watch the change take over him, going from gentle and sweet to dirty and dominant.

Finn shoves to his feet. “We have to go up to our room, we left the oven on.”

I snort-laugh. “We don’t have a— Ahh! ”

My squeal when he picks me up and tosses me onto his shoulder is decidedly unladylike, but my king cares not. “Thanks for everything, Your Majesty, we’ll talk more later. No, make that tomorrow. Or next week.”

“Finn!” I shout through my laughter.

He starts to stride toward the exit, still talking to my mother over his shoulder—or, over my ass, to be precise. “You know what? Don’t find us, we’ll find you.”

I laugh the whole way up to our room until he tosses me onto the bed and I see the wicked glint in his eyes. Then I have a whole different reaction, centered at the apex of my thighs.

Biting my lip, I watch him with hooded eyes as he begins stripping off his shirt, revealing all those delicious slabs of muscle. “Careful,” I warn teasingly. “I’m still new at this whole One True Power thing. You make me too hot, and I could set you on fire.”

“Ah, little sun, I’ve told you before. Nothing can keep me away from you.” He places his knees on the bed and climbs up my body, bracing over me on his forearms. “ Yesli ya goryu, ya goryu. ”

If I burn, I burn.

And burn we did.