by Ivy Clyde
As for Leon, he was blissfully submerged in the pursuit of his art and music. His brothers were happy to let him have the freedom.
“Come sit with us!” shouted Cade after a while. “You can paint another time. Moira won’t be staying with us for long, you know.”
“I know,” Leon called back. “That’s the reason I must do it now.”
“What’s he doing?” I asked, staring at the concentrated focus on Leon’s face.
“I don’t know,” said Rowan with a chuckle. “He might be painting you.”
“Wow…really?”
I sat up and slowly got to my feet. Brushing away the twigs and grass sticking to my skirt, I walked toward Leon. Reaching him, I stared at the canvas he was attacking.
It wasn’t just me he was painting. Rowan and Cade were in the painting too.
“Why did you get up?” asked Leon. “Go and sit in the same position you were in before. I need to get the lighting right on your hair.”
“This is so amazing,” I breathed as I took in the detailed painting. It was the same scene being played out some feet away from him. He’d drawn me lounging between Rowan and Cade. “Now who is going to draw a painting with you in it? I want one with all three of you.”
“That would be impossible,” said Leon with a chuckle. “Now, get back.”
I went back to lie down in the grass. Rowan leaned down to kiss me while Cade stroked the pads of my feet, making me shiver as tingles shot through my whole body. I glanced back at Leon. Would it be really impossible to have all four mates in one frame?
I shook my head, wishing for human technology once again. A cell phone would easily solve the problem for us.
“Here, catch!” said Cade suddenly and threw a grape at me. Caught unaware, it hit me in the face.
I frowned as he readied to throw me another one.
I was able to catch the grape this time. A grin came on my lips as I chewed on the sweet, juicy fruit.
My heart swelled with happiness. Our kingdoms were at peace and our people were prospering. The sacrifices of so many people were not wasted. Along with Lucia, the four of us would keep protecting our people. As long as they were happy, I knew we would be at peace. We would never let anyone break our unity.
EPILOGUE
Moira
The breeze playing over my legs felt unusually nice. It had been a while since I wore anything but the massive gowns that were sort of like a uniform for the queen. At the moment, I was garbed in my old Belenus Court attire of a long-sleeved shirt, dark skirt, and a coat. Back then, it had felt ostentatious enough but now, it was a mere uniform the fae students wore.
“What did you want to talk about?” asked Isla from beside me.
We were both seated under the shade of a blossoming magnolia tree in one of the gardens in the courtyard. I came to see her before it was time for me to head back to Amaris.
“Don’t be nervous,” I said with a chuckle.
“Right,” she said with a hint of her old savageness. “You’re the fucking queen of Amaris and soon-to-be queen of Aelia. I shouldn’t be shaking in my knickers at all!”
“We are friends,” I said. “Nothing changes that.”
Her shoulders relaxed and a genuine smile lifted the corners of her lips.
“I came to see you because I am in a position to help you now. Do you want me to get you a position in the royal court? You’re well-acquainted with the human world and are resourceful. They could use someone like you.” I hesitated a little and added, “Your ex-boyfriend might even be able to come back to you.”
Isla laughed and shook her head. “You have no idea how tempting that is. Gavin’s mother approached me to take back her son but I refused. She can treat her son like property but I can’t. Besides, I moved on a long time ago. It does hurt to think I was rejected for not being connected to some powerful noble but I am better off with a guy who can actually protect me.”
I squeezed her hand. “I’m so glad you came to that conclusion on your own. That man really doesn’t deserve you.”
She took a breath as a breeze played with her short blond hair. “I want to make my own fortune,” she said with a smile. “You never settled despite being powerless. You fought for your freedom and rights. In the future, they would be writing books about you.”
I laughed at that. “Stop with that! Anyway, what do you plan to do after you’re done with your studies here?”
“Lady Demitria and Lady Chantal have arranged for me to go and train in the Fae Court of Lost Sanctum. It’s both for my education as well as…spying.” She whispered the last word in my ear.
“Spying?”
Isla nodded. “Coran revealed that the humans sent in to assassinate Lady Cynthia were related to the director of the Order.”
“The Order of the Third Son that watches out for paranormal activities in the human realm?”
“Yep,” said Isla. “There is no concrete proof but why would Coran confess about that under torture? Why even protect a lie? We believe there is something fishy going on with the Order. We had news that the director’s son has joined the Fae Court of Lost Sanctum for training as well. It would be a good way to get some insider information through him.”
“What exactly does the Fae Court of Lost Sanctum do?”
“They are the intermediary between the humans and the fae,” said Isla. “They are like a bridge, allowing for peaceful negotiations. Both fae and humans are allowed on their premises to study and train.”
We fell silent for a while as I contemplated what she was signing up for.
“So, you will be leaving Aelia?” I asked.
“Yeah. I will leave soon.”
I squeezed her hand again. “You should know I’m always here to welcome you back,” I said. “If you ever need a place to stay, come to Amaris. I will find you a place in the royal court and set you up with a manor of your own.”
Isla chuckled and threw an arm over my shoulder. “Staying by your side is finally paying me,” she said. When her laughter died down, she gazed at me with a grim expression. “Thank you, Moira. I’m glad you found your true place here.”
“Thanks. I hope you’ll find your place in this world too.”
A gentle spring breeze blew by, skimming along my bare knees. I breathed in the fragrant air deeply and leaned against Isla. We would soon be parting but we were both looking forward to a happy and hopeful future.
The end for now…
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for reading until the end. I hope you enjoyed the story and would consider leaving a short review on Amazon. Even a simple “I liked it” will make my day!
I have planned another series in the same universe that would look deeper into the Order of the Third Son, a paranormal agency watching over the human world to protect them from malicious fae and other otherworldly creatures. The series will focus on the sky elves and the politics of the Sky Kingdom. It will be just as fast-paced, action-packed and full of heart-throbbing romance.
Excited about it? Let me know and I’ll make it a priority!
Looking for a completed paranormal series to read until the sequel is ready? Try my Assassin and her Dragon Princes series. It is reverse harem romance with a kick-ass heroine and three sexy dragon shifters.
Do you also enjoy reading contemporary series? Try my latest completed series. The main MC is forced to work as a hacker for the mafia. This is a RH romance too.
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