I blew out air through my teeth. So he knew what Indra was up to? Changing memories so that everyone in the village didn’t know of my lineage? Drugging the Queen with a sleeping potion. Caging my mom and cuffing Mara…
Shit.
Maybe he had a point… Why would I allow them to keep their titles and claim on the Tree of Life home?
“The Tree of Life prayer hall has always been a holy place, owned by the crown,” Jasper informed me. I wanted to ask him how he knew all of this, but he wouldn’t answer me anyway.
“He’s right,” Trissa acknowledged.
Finally, they agreed on something.
“I’ve always envied Rose’s room with the large stained-glass windows,” Elle said.
I scoffed. “Seriously, you agree with him?”
She nodded.
“Me too,” Trissa called from the door. “I’ll take Aubin’s room, and I can protect you and the Queen better.”
Her mention of the Queen… my biological mother, settled it for me. I didn’t want my first command as an acting royal to be kicking the elders out of their home, but I had to protect the Queen at all costs.
“For the Queen, then.”
Jasper clasped his hands together. “Please let me be the one to tell them.”
I rolled my eyes. “You need to lie low. Go prepare for our trip. As soon as this coronation is over, we’re going hunting for crystals.”
With a frown, he saluted me and left.
Craning my neck, I met Trissa’s gaze. “Do you think that you could tell the elders…” I hedged.
She straightened her spine. “Absolutely, Princess.”
I pointed a finger at her. “Stop it. Call me Lily.”
She winked. “Do you have an official letter you want me to deliver?” she asked.
Elle nodded. “Yes. I’ll draft it up.”
Wow.
My friends had rallied around me and supported this crazy situation, and for a small second, I’d forgotten that Liam killed my mother… until now. My gaze fell onto my living room couch, and I remembered the kiss we had there. That seemed like forever ago. How could I have been so stupid?
Now that I thought about it, there were times he probably tried to tell me. I knew he had a dark past. I knew he’d killed people. Never in my wildest dreams did I think he killed my mother.
“You’re ready.” Kira bowed her head. The music had started outside, and suddenly I felt like this was all a big unnecessary show.
“The crystals are missing. The village is in shambles,” I said. “We shouldn’t be doing this. It’s not appropriate.”
Elle shook her head. “Our people need this. They need someone to look up to, something to look forward to.”
I sighed, standing, and looked in the mirror.
I’d refused to wear a gown. I wanted to do this ceremony for legal reasons and to boost morale, and then I was jumping into the blue door and heading to New York to the Seeker Stone. But even in my hunting clothes, I looked beautiful. Kira had done my makeup, curled my hair, and with the floral bracelets, it was a nice touch.
“A Queen of the people,” a familiar voice called behind me.
Spinning, I saw that Mara stood in the open blue doorway to my home.
Her face looked sullen, and I wondered if Liam told her what happened when he no doubt asked her to transport them all home.
“I’ll meet you outside,” I told Kira and Elle.
I wanted a moment alone with Mara.
When they left out the front door, I walked over to Mara, lip quivering. “Did he tell you?”
Mara’s brow furrowed. “Liam? Tell me what, about your fight?”
I nodded and she shook her head. “He just said that he was no longer wanted here, took his mother and his family, and had me drop him off in North Carolina. Then, May told me you exploded with power and were now being crowned. What happened?”
He took his mom too? Wow, he really didn’t trust me.
My throat tightened, and I promised myself not to get emotional or let this bother me one second longer. Stepping closer to where Mara stood, I took in a deep breath. “Liam killed my mother.”
Mara gasped, gripping the edge of the doorframe. “What?” She looked at me with disbelief, and it broke my heart.
I nodded. “So… I asked him to leave.” I held my chin high.
Mara looked utterly confused. “But… are you sure it was him? Liam?”
“He told me himself! Admitted it!” My anger rose inside of me.
“Yes, but what if—”
“Mara, please!” I rubbed my temples as tears lined my eyes. “I’ve had all that I can possibly handle today,” I told her.
She nodded. “Okay, hun. Okay.” She reached a hand out, through the doorway, and I squeezed it, gaining some strength from her touch.
“Be ready to transport us to New York. I want those crystals back immediately,” I told her, hearing more strength in my voice.
She nodded. “I’ll be in my office, waiting.”
With that, I walked out into town and into a future I wasn’t sure I was ready for.
The ceremony was weird but quick. Everyone bowed as I walked by and cheered when Trissa placed an honest to gods crown on my head. A crown that belonged to the Queen, which I wore for two minutes as I accepted my oath and duty to lead Faerie before I quickly took it off. Now it was back with Kira and the sleeping Queen while I, along with my pathetic fae army of seven, was squeezed into Mara’s office.
Trissa, Elle, Jasper, myself, and three others. Three. That’s how many people I trusted to be trained enough not to get killed. Anyone else decent I left behind to protect Faerie.
“We have arrived in New York!” Mara trilled as the three new fae looked around her
