Hekla handed me a box. “Sorry. I had to talk to Kaippa.”
Oh, no. “You didn’t.”
Hekla’s throat moved in a guilty swallow. “I did.”
“Holy shit.”
“Yep.”
“You know he’s bad news, right? Even though he saved some lives.”
Collapsing on the bed, Hekla covered her face with an arm. “I know.”
“But you couldn’t fight your issue with his lower back.”
“Correct,” she mumbled under her elbow. “Open the box and change the subject. Please, bride lady.”
I shook my head but couldn’t help smiling. The box lid came off and released the scent of summer leaves. “It’s a dress.”
Hekla sat up and peered inside, her fingers drifting toward a corset top made entirely of leaves. “Oh, snap. He made you a fae wedding gown. This is so legit.”
My smile grew as I carefully lifted the dress from the box. Deep green oak leaves made up the bodice and the skirt. Sapphire flowers had been sewn in a diagonal line across the chest and in a curved pattern at the hem. The whole thing shimmered like the plants had been infused with a dash of sunlight. “Who knew he could sew?”
Hekla fluffed the back of the skirt. “It’s long in the back and short in the front. I love it!”
I pulled the fae garment all the way out, held it to my chest, and walked around the room.
“Please don’t say fae clothing isn’t for you, because you are going to look incredible in that thing. Wear it for me. Wear it for Lucus,” Hekla said.
“It’s going to come apart so easily.”
Hekla lifted an eyebrow. “All the better for your wedding night.” She looked back in the box. “Hey, there’s something wrapped up in here.”
I removed the package made of thick, woven grass, then tore the end open. The package contained a circlet of delicate pine shoots and tiny oak branches complete with acorns.
“Oh my God,” Hekla said. “It’s a crown. You have a crown made by a fae lord.” She burst into laughter and fell back on the bed. “This is the best.”
I held the crown, studying the way Lucus had braided the shoot and twigs. It was strong and had a hum to it. “It’s enchanted.”
“Wonder what’ll happen when you put it on?”
“I guess we’ll find out.”
Wearing my fae wedding gown, with Hekla at my side and my crown in my hand, I walked into the courtyard to see Lucus and Kaippa standing there beneath the floral bower. A light rain had just fallen, and drops sparkled like diamonds from everything. The castle walls gave the place the feel of an old cathedral, and the gentle breeze stirred the scent of pines and rain into the air.
Lucus looked gorgeous, of course. He wore his own fae clothing—a shirt that looked like it was made from lilies, a vest of acorn tops and oak leaves, Renaissance-style leafed trousers, and tall boots made of magicked, pliant pine bark. His wings shuffled when he saw me, his horns catching the light, and then he smiled. Our fated mate bond surged powerfully inside me, drawing me closer to him, my bare feet cool on the damp cobblestones.
At the bower, Lucus took my crown and set it on my loose and slightly tangled hair.
The world changed.
Every leaf in the bower showed a thousand shades of green, hues I’d never seen, colors I couldn’t begin to understand. The flowers were limned in an amethyst that resembled the color of mage magic. Lucus practically glowed. His skin was luminescent, and the emerald strands of his hair stood out, bright and stunning.
Lucus took my hands in his. “This is how I see. This is a fae’s view of the world. When you so choose, you will have my sight, my power, my protection.” He turned to Kaippa, who gave Hekla a wink, then handed a ring to each of us.
I placed one golden band on Lucus’s finger, not worrying about certain vows and just following my heart. “When you so choose, you will have my magic, my body, and my pumpkin muffins.”
He grinned at our joined hands.
“I am yours,” I added.
“And I am yours.” He slid the other ring on my finger, his gaze going liquid with desire.
With the breeze stirring the train of my fae dress, a crown on my head, and magic singing in my ears, I kissed my fae lord and made him mine forever.
If you’d like to get updates on the next series in the Yew Queen world (it will feature vampire rulers who have business with Kaippa and Hekla), sign up for my newsletter at https://www.alishaklapheke.com/eve-a-hunt.
You’ll also receive a character interview with Lucus, a scene from his point of view, updates on releases, and free books written under my other name. Though I send newsletters twice a month now, I will most likely take a break from emailing beginning the summer of 2020 and pick back up with you once I have more Yew Queen books ready at the start of 2021. Sound like a plan?
I hope you enjoyed the Yew Queen trilogy, my lovely readers!
Love,
Eve
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About the Author
Eve A. Hunt is the pen name for USA Today bestselling author Alisha Klapheke. When she isn’t crafting new stories for you, she can be found perusing museums around the world or teaching MMA at her family’s gym. She lives on four acres with her two insanely creative kids, her cats, and her ninja husband in Franklin, Tennessee—the town featured in this series.
Also by Eve A. Hunt/Alisha Klapheke
Dragons Rising Series
Fate of Dragons
Band of Breakers
Queen of Seas
Sword of Oak
The Edinburgh Seer Trilogy
The Edinburgh Seer
The Edinburgh Heir
The Edinburgh Fate
The Uncommon World Series
Waters of Salt and Sin
Fever
Plains of Sand and Steel
Forest of Silver
