“Death to the betrayer!” Drake orders, pointing at the one that killed Aiden.
The body of the shadow is lifted into the air, and Drake lifts his hand calling on his power. His screams are cut short, as his body is riddled with tiny comets rained down from heaven. Each one penetrates like a bullet, detonating inside his body with magnificent light until there is nothing left but dust.
A final beam, luminous and brilliant descends over Aiden. The Fae Queen touches her chest and finds she is too late to save her. Caderyn rises magnificent in her fury and approaches Reese. “My dagger?” she demands.
Dropping to his knee, he offers the dagger to his Queen. She smiles and takes it from him. “Thank you.” In a flash, she is by her Kings side. The moment Caderyn takes Drake’s hand, they radiate a blinding light. The twin souls walk forward amongst the shadows, the innocent are left untouched while betrayer’s souls are seared by the spiritual glow.
Morgan’s army of Angels seize the fallen angels and holds them as they are judged for their betrayal. “Ashes to Ashes!” Morgan cries and the Fallen turn to dust. The Vale goes silent, as all stare stunned by the power of the new King and Queen.
Reese turns and walks slowly to Aiden and lifts her body. He does not ask permission to return her body through the Vale to her family. His sorrow is intense, “Forgive my failure?” he asks of them.
“Reese,” the Fae King calls out, “the failure is not yours. You never abandoned your people. You watched and protected in every way possible. Against all odds, betrayed by your own kind yet still you fought, for a Queen we did not even know existed. Your loyalty knows no bounds; we pardon you and welcome you home.” Wild cheers resound, pride fills his soul as his daughters, and their families rush to surround him, weeping with joy.
“My King, what of the Shadows?” Caderyn asks quietly. Now the Fae Queen, she turns to the remaining shadows that stand in fear and speaks. “We will not pretend to understand what you are feeling, but we will promise that never again, will a Fae be falsely accused of becoming shadow. We all have shadow and light within us. It is our choices, which truly defines who we become. All souls have value, and you are welcome to come home.”
Slowly they move, some stay where they are, and others run through the Vale back to family and friends. Reese steps back through, away from his now grown children.
“My Queen, I am honored to know you, but my heart has found a place in the shadows. There are more Fae who need guidance, and I find I have a fondness for humanity,” he says touching her cheek softly. Caderyn smiles at him in understanding.
King Drake steps behind Caderyn and places his hands on her shoulders.
“Reese, thank you for coming to me and guiding my destiny. Thank you for not letting me give up, even when I thought I might.” Her tears flow freely as she thinks of all he has done for her. “Drake?” she calls to his mind. He squeezes her shoulders in support.
With a soft smile, Reese says, “You remind me of my Wynn, her compassion for others was beautiful to watch. With your permission, I would like to continue guiding the lost Fae who were pushed through the Vale. I can still be of use, from the other side, and I find I’m no longer ready to fade.”
“Very well, Reese,” King Drake says with a smile, “From this moment on you shall be known as the Shadow King.”
Caderyn says, “Do not forget where home is, Shadow King,” and with a twinkle in her eyes, she reaches up and touches his temple. It warms for a moment as the Fae Queen returns his magic.
Morgan steps up with a gift of his own, “You have been watched by heaven, Reese.” Crafted by the Angels, he bestows a crown upon him worthy of his new title. “It is not your time yet, Shadow King. Your Wynn watches from the other side, and she wants you to find happiness. Keep your heart open, and the gifts of Heaven shall be yours.”
“Thank you,” he says in a hoarse whisper. He turns slowly and walks away into the shadows, followed by the ones who remained behind.
Chapter 16
The Angels surround the Fae King and Fae Queen. Morgan steps forward to join them in the circle. “Thank you, Morgan.” Drake offers his hand, and Morgan grasps it in a warrior’s handshake. “The Fae are indebted to you, should you ever have a need, we will come,” Drake promises.
Caderyn looks at the Angels in awe. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you, doesn’t seem big enough.”
“You are a Queen worthy of the Fae, but it is your humanity that gives you the edge. Do not lose that part of your soul that is compassionate, and forgiving. The danger is not passed, but anything worth doing has its risks,” the Angel Gabriel says with a smile.
“Do not forget the betrayal started within the Vale. You still have those who seek to destroy you,” Morgan responds, and in a rush of wings, they shoot to the sky.
In the Vale, the sound of music drifts through the night. “Dance with me, my Queen?” Drake asks, holding out his hand as his eyes heat with desire.
“I thought you’d never ask, my King,” she replies, smiling brighter than all the stars in heaven.
Two shooting stars explode across the evening sky, they circle, dancing, and spinning, until the two become one, in a dance made only for them.
Epilogue
A tiny mouse watches the star and scurries towards the woods.
