I melt on the inside, and I lean in to embrace him, except Deimos takes my hand and I quickly straighten back up.
He slides a ring on my index finger, a white gold band with the reddest ruby in the shape of a teardrop. “A reminder of the beauty that lies inside your heart and that it will never steer you wrong.”
I grin crazily at him, chewing on my lower lip. I just want to throw myself at him and kiss him all over.
Next Luther takes my hand, and his half-smirk says it all. We've come such a long way, him and I. From when he entered my mind with his smartass flirting, to bringing me to this realm and fighting for our life together.
He takes my hand and rubs his thumb over his grandmother's ring I wear on my wedding finger. "For my little wolf. Never stop fighting for what you believe. It's one of the many reasons I fell in love with you."
And with that, I completely lose control of my emotions. Tears fall and drench my cheeks; I can't stop crying with happiness.
My princes stand and embrace me, all of us as one. "You don't even know how much this means to me," I manage to say between sniffling and wiping my eyes.
“Yes we do,” Ahren says. “I love you so much that it killed me to almost lose you.”
“I love everything about you,” Deimos says.
“And I loved you from the beginning,” Luther adds.
I huddle against them, tears streaming down my cheeks—then I start laughing like a crazy person. "These are all happy tears, you know that."
They chuckle with me, and Ahren wipes my cheeks with his thumbs. "Are you ready to continue, beautiful?"
“Yes. Let’s do this.”
My mother waits a few steps away, her eyes also glistening, and she hands me a small box. I find three rings inside, all a dark gold with different patterns carved into the bands. I collect them into my palm as I mouth thank you to her.
Then I turn to my princes and push my ring on their fingers, one at a time, each beaming with joy.
The crowd cheers—fairies included—as the officiant declares our marriage. It all feels surreal.
The elderly fae has left the dais, and now the head council members, one from each court, step forward.
Behind them are four young girls, carrying a silky pillow with a crown on it.
My heart beats faster, anticipation curling in my chest. Ahren removes his cape from his shoulders and lays it on the floor before me. He then takes my hand, murmuring, “We must all be on our knees.”
They kneel down, then I take Ahren’s hand and do the same, all of us in a line, and I am the first the councilmen come to.
I shake with excitement, wishing I had my phone so I could take photos of everything and not forget a single memory.
One of the councilmen approaches with a small crystal bowl filled with liquid. He dips two fingers into the liquid, then runs them across my brow and down my cheeks. He speaks fae words again, which I assume are a blessing and the anointment of my new role. A young girl steps forward carrying the most spectacular tall crown, pebbled with rubies and white gems to match my wedding dress. The other councilman, so councils from both courts are involved, lays it on my head. It's a lot heavier than I anticipated, but it sits perfectly.
I can't stop beaming, convinced I’m about to cry again, while I watch the princes receive their crowns, gold and dotted with colored gems. I actually pinch my arm to make sure this is real. I’ve always heard people say that when they got married, the day flew by at lightning speed. That is how this feels.
“Please embrace our new Queen and Kings of Ash and Shadow Courts," the council members announce in unison.
At that, the masses break out into a cheer, the fairies singing louder, fluttering around us and filling the sky with a rainbow of colors. As we climb to our feet, the fairies’ song explodes into its crescendo, and everyone claps louder. The band chimes in, and then an array of staff in white suits come out of the castle nearby, carrying silver platters of drinks and food.
I’m utterly dumbfounded that I am now Queen. It’s going to take a bit of getting used to.
“What happens now?” I ask Ahren.
“We have fun and kiss you a lot.” He takes my hand and leads me down the steps, and I keep reminding myself—this is my wedding reception. It’s time for me to party and celebrate—because I won. I got what I wanted in the end…my three fae.
“Where are we going?” I ask Luther as he drags me down one hallway, then another. “Do you even know this place? What about the guests outside?”
“Of course he does,” Deimos answers from beside me. Ahren is at my back, all four of us heading through the Ash Court castle. This is our new home... well, one of two, really, and I still don't know where we will end up living. Part of me is toying with the idea of expanding one of the courts to bring everyone to live in one location, united. Wherever we end up, we’ll plant grand trees for fairies to live in, if they choose.
But that comes later. Right now I need to know what my kings have in store for me.
After hours of celebration, they snuck me out, insisting they had a surprise.
We rush quicker, the three of them smiling wickedly while I laugh. Nothing in my life has ever felt so secure. So perfect.
Coming to a halt in front of a grand arched door, Deimos turns toward me. “We spoke with your mother and discovered something you’ll find interesting. King Tibout purchased the ruby for his throne because he knew his daughter had a direct lineage to the fairy queen,
