“Wait!” I wanted to tell her that I forgave her, that I understood everything she sacrificed for me. That I understood she did the best she could. But before I could say anything more, her scent, and the icy wind … was gone.
Violet reached her arms around me as Finn lay his head in my lap, and they both held me tightly, mourning right along with me.
You are the strongest woman I know. You have lost a lot, but you will always have me. Kade’s strong voice and energy caressed me, adding his strength to that my friends were filling me with.
I was blessed. I knew that. I would never forget it. But still, I grieved.
Thirty seconds later, Kade burst into the room, bringing with him the scent of forest and home. Finn stood and Violet released me as Kade bent over and placed one arm under my knees and one behind my back, picking me up. We both needed the closeness. I rested my head on his shoulder and breathed him in.
We’ve done the hard part. Now with a little more work we can have our happily ever after. Kade’s words seeped into me, soothing my soul.
He set me down gingerly and placed his forehead on mine. “Are you up for dealing with the Winter Court?” he asked.
I sighed. I wanted more than anything to just abandon all responsibility and go see my little sister, but I couldn’t leave the Winter Court without a leader.
“Yes,” I told him, before straightening my back and smoothing out my shirt. “What about King Samson and his people? Do they know the threat is neutralized?”
Kade nodded. “Yes, they are already returning home. They will wait for word from you, but for now they give their thanks.”
“Blaine and Bianca?” And whomever Kade’s guard was — his name was escaping me in my dazed state.
“Home. Safe. Already ordering the shifters back to their packs and dens. Reinstating guards.”
That was good. My friends and dominants would keep an eye on this world while I went to make sure the Otherworld wasn’t falling apart. I really hoped Shelley and Kian were faring well there, because I didn’t have it in me for another battle.
Taking a deep breath, I sought out the mecca stone in the Winter Court. Creating another portal, we stepped out into the icy lands. Well, into the room that housed the stone anyway. Violet, Finn, Kade, and I walked through the circular stone room, which had white wood floorboards, and was empty except for a purple, faceted stone. The main winter stone I was guessing. I was very careful not to touch it, remembering Dante’s words about the way their leaders were chosen.
We skirted the edges, exiting through a simple wooden door. Outside of the room were two guards, lazing back against the wall, looking half asleep. The moment we stepped out, they straightened with wide eyes, drawing their weapons. My winter powers froze their feet to the spot before they could attack.
“Thank you for your service,” I said. “I’m Arianna, granddaughter of the winter queen.” Their eyes went even wider and I recognized the complete and total panic there. So I hurried on. “Rest assured, I am nothing like my kin. I’m only here to ensure there is a just leader left in this court. Will you continue to guard this room for me? Until there is a new leader?”
Both of them nodded and I released their feet fully from the ice magic. The two male fae dropped to their knees, white furs spilling out around them.
“It is our honor,” one of them said in a thick accent.
I gave them both a wave, turning to join my family. We walked through a small stretch of woods that opened up into a courtyard of the dark stone castle. As we moved toward the moat that ran around the castle, a huge billow of smoke caught my attention.
“Kade…” I said slowly.
He followed my line of sight and then the four of us started to run. We crossed over the bridge, heading toward the main part of the town, where their markets had been held. The acrid scent of smoke was strong in the air, and it was starting to get hot. Which was more than a little noticeable in the Winter Court.
When the huge fire finally came into view, I was alarmed at the sight of papers, books, and other things stacked high in the center of the flames. Kade’s hand was resting on his sword, preparing for whatever battle was next, but then we both saw Shelley and Kian at the front of the blaze. They looked fine. In fact, everyone here looked well. I would even go as far as to say there was a sense of joy in the crowd of fae tossing objects into the fire. One woman clutched a painting of the winter queen.
“Ari! Kade!” Shelley gave a shout of delight, running over to greet us, Kian right behind her.
I gave them both a quick hug. Kian and Kade bro-embraced for a few moments too, and then Shelley launched into an explanation of what was going on here. “The winter queen made it mandatory that every household have a picture of her hanging over their mantle. The majority are thrilled she’s dead and are openly denouncing her rule. Only a few had to be … detained.”
Whew, that was a huge weight off my shoulders. I didn’t have a riot on my hands.
“There’s more,” Kian interrupted, bestowing an adoring look on his mate. “Shelley’s been busy using her talent to interrogate the castle staff, and we finally unearthed something that might help. Apparently, the queen has a sister. She was locked away years ago because they disagreed about how to rule over the winter people.”
I sucked in a deep breath, considering the wide-reaching possibilities if this was true. I didn’t want to get my hopes up yet. There was so much we didn’t know. But a part of me couldn’t help but feel excited.
“Did you find her? Is she fit to rule?” I asked, forcing my voice to remain calm. This would be the perfect solution to all of my problems. If I could assess her and make sure she didn’t inherit the evil gene, then maybe she could rule the Winter Court.
“The spells surrounding her are too strong,” Shelley told me. “I wasn’t able to even get to the door without being pushed back.”
Well, luckily, breaking spells was my specialty. “Take me to her, please.”
Shelley and Kian nodded, and with one last look at the fire-happy fae, we all moved away from the flame-filled marketplace. Shelley led us around the back side of the castle, which was quite a walk since the structure was so large. I took the time while we strolled to really observe everything. Last time I was here, there was no time to do anything but run, be captured, and fear for my life. It was nice to take in the harsh beauty of this fae court — my heritage.
I glanced across at Violet, worried that the memories of being here might be getting to her, but she looked calm. The magical essence surrounding her also seemed calm. My friend was finally healing. Piece by piece, day by day, she was finding her way back to me.
On the far side of the castle there was a barren land. Even the trees seemed to have abandoned the area; all that was left were a few spindly, dead-looking plants. And a single stone hut. It was a square, squat building of dark stone, black ivy climbing the sides.