Moon's Flower (Kingdom, #6)

Shaking from the adrenaline run off, Calanthe waited for Jana’s final verdict. “No matter what happens, Jericho,” she whispered for his ears only, drawing a line down the length of his spine, “I love you and I do trust you.”


Turning into her, she opened her arms and he hugged her back. His eyes were heavy and searching, they both knew the moment had come and neither one would shy away from it, but they would speak their final truths.

“My heart is now and forevermore tied to yours, Calanthe. There will be no other for me.”

He finished speaking just as Jana glided to Calanthe. Her black soulless gaze peered deep in Calanthe’s own.

“Beware the mating bond.” The haunting voice was Miriam’s.

No one else seemed to notice that she’d spoken except for Calanthe and Jana who’d turned sharply at the sound of the voice. A willowy shadow standing upon the toadstool was the only thing left of the seer.

Closing her eyes, Jana leaned her head forward, until her ear rested upon Calanthe’s heart.

“They’re a mated pair,” she finally announced after the span of several heartbeats.

A collective gasp escaped the council.

“What does that mean?” Siria snapped.

Galeta’s sharp teeth were exposed by her snarl. “It means we cannot kill her without killing him.”

“No!” Siria cried, “You must not harm the moon.”

“This changes everything,” Jana said.

“This changes nothing,” Galeta rushed forward and pointed at them. “There are ways to hurt them just as much without killing, in fact,” her lips curved into a terrifying smile, “there are ways to hurt them even worse. Sisters, let us confer.”

The council drew together in the corner, leaving Jericho and Calanthe still clinging to one another. If looks could kill, Siria would have silenced Calanthe forever.

None of them spoke, knowing the moment was too deep, too profound for mere words.

Calanthe couldn’t believe what she’d done to Siria and that she was still standing. That they hadn’t struck her dead. She shot a glance at the toadstool, but Miriam was gone and suddenly Calanthe understood why Miriam had forced them to kiss. The seer had saved their lives.

And on that thought another one took its place, she’d mentioned that the board was set to her liking, that the game was as it should be. What did that mean? Would they be free to be together?

Would the council decide to strip her wings?

It was a fate worse than death for most fairies, but if it meant that Calanthe could be with him forever, she would jump at the punishment. After all she’d never felt like much of a fairy to begin with. What were wings when it came to happiness? Very little.

“It is decided.” The council spoke in unison. The Green turned toward them, but spoke to Galeta. “The Blue will hand you your fate. Both of your fates.”

Jericho’s jaw clenched and Calanthe frowned. She hadn’t realized their jurisdiction extended outside of Faedom.

Siria’s smug smirk was a hint that something more was going on. “I gave them my approval to hand you punishment as well, Jericho, and what they’ve dreamed up, why it was positively devilish.” She laughed.

Cold fear washed through Calanthe’s body even as his warm one curved around hers.

“Calanthe of the Rose,” Galeta’s voice rose in pitch, “you are cursed. You stole the moon flower seed from my home, you slept with a man… your punishment is that you should turn into the very flower you stole from me.”

“What?” she cried, because her ears were ringing and she was sure she hadn’t understood that correctly.

But Galeta ignored her cry. “Jericho of the Moon, for beguiling the daughter of the glen and causing her to break faith with her sisters you will forever remain tied to the moon. No longer will there be a five hundred year term of service, your servitude will last unto eternity.”

His body went rigid as Siria laughed.

“You cannot do that, you do not have the right,” he growled.

“Oh, but they do. As long as they have my consent and, my dear sweet Jericho, they heartily have it. But on top of that, I get one day of my choosing where I can control both sun and moon.”

Calanthe frowned, not understanding at all how that could be any great punishment.

“And there is more,” her words trilled with laughter, “for the next three hundred years you shall never again be able to return to land. Every day shall be like the day before, stuck in the tower, with only myself for company.”

At that Jericho snapped, and he was suddenly rushing Siria.

But unlike the last time where Calanthe had managed a surprise attack, Siria was prepared this time. Her hand was up and a shield of flame suddenly blocked his way. Stopping immediately, he slammed a fist over his eyes.

Calanthe dragged him back to her side and hugged him to her breast.

“Calanthe, I’m so sorry,” he muttered.

“So it has been spoken,” Galeta intoned.

“So mote it be,” the council spoke as one.