by Janeal Falor
“The people think otherwise.”
I sit back, waiting for the shock to pass. “What do you think?”
She bites her lip and then sits up straighter. “I happen to agree with them. I think you’re an excellent queen who should continue to rule, doing what’s best for the country, which is what you said the new King or Queen is chosen by, yes?”
“That’s true. I’m not sure it’s me.”
She shrugs like she doesn’t care, but the gleam in her eyes says she does. “It’s your choice.”
But is it?
We talk of several more things having to do with the country and how her life is going, but my mind keeps racing back to the Vitay Tura. Is it really waiting for me to try it? So many already have. Why hasn’t it picked one of them?
After Jem takes her leave, I turn to Nash, grateful Julina has decided I’m safe enough to only need one guard with me. “What do you think?”
“I believe you should try.” But there’s a sadness to his words.
“If I try and succeed, we won’t be able to be together.”
His shoulders slump, but his gaze is steady. “I know, but Jem is right. I’ve never met anyone who wanted the best for this country more than you. You make a great queen, and the people know that. It doesn’t surprise me that they want you to at least try to continue on in this position.”
“And if I fail? What then?”
“Then they will know it’s not meant to be, and we will keep trying. This isn’t the first time it’s taken a while to find a ruler. The people are used to it.”
Maybe he’s right. Perhaps I do need to try the Vitay Tura. It’s not exactly my choice, but it will be able to see my heart better than I can.
Chapter 43
The floor of the chalice room gleams, the mirrors all back in their place. A lot of work has been put into restoring this place. Other parts of the palace are still in disarray, but we needed to help the people before fixing a palace that is bigger than anyone would ever need. The council agreed on the condition we fix up this room.
And now I’m here, like nothing ever happened.
The area is bursting with people silently watching as I sit on the dais next to the pedestal that holds the chalice. Unlike the last one, there’s no magic about this column. It’s elegantly carved but doesn’t keep track of names like the other did.
The chalice is made of pewter but is simple in design. Like the last cup, it automatically refills itself after being emptied. Unlike that one, this didn’t require black magic, so it’s got a much cleaner feel.
“Are you ready, Ryn?” Nash whispers. He’s beside the dais with the other guards surrounding me. Julina is with them. Inkga and Kapeni are not far off with the rest of the council. Venda is close by with Mother, who came early. Both are important to me. Shillian is slowly earning my trust back, and I think that it’s well-deserved trust.
People are noticeably missing. Wilric. Jaku. Eldim. Without their presence, it doesn’t feel the same. I miss them and will always honor them by remembering their valor and spirit.
I nod to Nash. I’m going to do this.
One taste. As before, that’s all that stands between me and the throne. Not that I want the throne, but I do want what’s best for my people, even if that means sacrificing my relationship with Nash. I frown at the thought. I love him, but if the people need me, I’ll do what needs to be done.
I reach up and grab the stem of the Vitay Tura. The metal is cool beneath my fingers, reminding me of the last time I held the Mortum Tura. The Death Drink. Now I ready myself to taste the Life Drink.
Fear of what’s to come clogs my throat. I think I know, but having it happen is something else entirely. I swallow past it and bring the chalice to my lips.
The liquid is sweet, with a slightly tart aftertaste. It’s like wild berries, freshly picked in the summer sun. It tickles across my tongue and is cool going down my throat.
Will it end where it all began? Or will there be a new beginning?
I place the chalice back on its pedestal and wait. A spirit of peace envelopes me, making me feel as if whatever happens, it will be all right. Everything will work out. Nash and I are used to not being together. This would be no different.
I love him, but I also love my country.
I’m not sure where the love came from, but at some point, it developed. It’s surging through me now, making its presence known.
But I don’t glow with the glow that indicates the next ruler.
Seconds tick by. People murmur amongst themselves. Have I disappointed them? The voices grow louder, filling the vast room.
I have failed.
A mix of knotted emotions fills me, and I’m not sure what to think. I sit back in my chair, readying myself for Nash to roll me away through the crowd of people whose disappointment in me is palpable.
There’s a gasp in the group, then silence ripples through them. As one, they bow low to the ground. And then I see it in the mirrors.
I am glowing.
Golden and bright, my entire being radiates magnificence. They think me a goddess.
But I am not.
I’m just their queen, ready to do their will.
Chapter 44
The Unkai sit at a huge table that fills the room. Each city has a voice and each voice has a city, all with me, helping with new laws for things to move forward. I can veto their power, should they get too hungry, and they can overturn me, should I get too hungry.
It’s a crowd of unfamiliar faces. A mountain of work. But I am up to the task.
Nash is halfway across the room, standing guard over the council of men and women. He doesn’t look at me, and I don’t look directly at him.
We haven’t spoken in the couple weeks since I became officially queen for the new ruling government. There’s nothing to say.
We can never be, though our love stays true.
Sneaking around doesn’t feel like something we can continue doing. Not with the country looking to me to help guide them. I shouldn’t have done so to begin with, but I did. That's going to change because doing so now when I’ve chosen to be their queen doesn’t seem right.
I focus on the task at hand. Thinking of Nash won’t help. Taking care of my people is what I have to concentrate on. I give Puneah a pat on the head, to reassure myself more than her, and say, “I call this meeting to order. The first item of business is to go over the new trade agreement with Faner.”
“That’s not quite true,” a woman two chairs down from me says. “While we will get to that soon, there’s something else we, as a council, decided needs to be taken care of first.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I wasn’t aware. What do we need to cover?”
The woman nods at the man across from her. I need to learn all their names and which cities they are from.
He says, “We need to change an archaic law.”
Something stirs within me, making me sit straighter in my seat.
He continues, “It has come to our attention that the rule stating a queen can neither touch nor marry is out of date. We vote to rescind this rule and put another in place, stating that if a ruler’s child should wish to be king or queen, they must take the same route as everyone else, and drink from the Vitay Tura for their worthiness to be tested.”
My jaw drops. Did he say what I think he said? It can’t be. I can’t have everything I want. It’s too much.
“All in favor,” says the first woman.
Everyone in the room raises their hands and says, “I.”
“Any opposed,” the woman says.
They’re silent.
“Then the old law shall be done away with, and the new one take effect.” She faces me. “Unless, of course, you’d like to veto, though I’m certain we could overrule you with all of us taking the vote against you.”
My heart drums in my chest, a beat wild and free. My voice comes out strong. “I don’t wish to veto.”
“Then the new law is in effec
t, starting now.”
I seek Nash’s gaze. My breathing becomes rapid as he looks back at me as if searching my soul. He moves from his position halfway down the table and strides toward me. I push my chair away from the table as he nears. I feel like I’m going to faint, but I won’t allow it to happen. Not in this moment.
Puneah knocks into my hand, her tails snaking around, as if she can sense my excitement.
Nash kneels on the ground before me. “I love you more than life itself, Ryn. Will you marry me?”
It takes all my control not to squeal with delight. “Yes. I will marry you.”
He stands and leans forward to press his lips to mine, for all to see. Heat blossoms at my lips and spreads through my body as a cheer goes up around the table.
“You know,” I say, “it’s still against the law for you to ask for my hand in marriage. I meant to change it so men could ask women, as well as the opposite, but with everything going on, I never got to it.”
Laughter fills the room. Puneah tries to push between Nash and me, but I gently keep her to the side, a hand on her head.
“We’ll fix that,” Nash says, leaning in for another kiss.
Our lips press together, sending that searing heat through me. It’s finally time to live.
Afterword
If you enjoyed reading this book, please consider helping the author by leaving a review where you purchased the book and/or on Goodreads. Even a simple one line review helps.
* * *
You can sign up to receive notification when Janeal Falor releases a new book at www.janealfalor.com with a Release Notification link on the side bar. Or talk to the author directly at [email protected]
Books by Janeal Falor
Death’s Queen
Death’s Queen (Death’s Queen #1)
Death’s Betrayal (Death’s Queen #2)
Death’s Embrace (Death’s Queen #3)
Death’s Assassin (Death’s Queen #4)
* * *
Mine Series
Mine to Tarnish (Mine Prequel)
You Are Mine (Mine #1)
Mine to Spell (Mine #2)
Mine to Fear (Mine #3)
Sacrifice of Mine (Mine #4)
Darkening Light
Ever Darkening (Darkening Light #1)
Savage Light (Darkening Light #2)
Elven Princess
Bound by Birthright (Elven Princess #1)
Bound to Endure (Elven Princess #2)
Bound by Love (Elven Princess #3)
Standalone
Goddess Ascending
A Genie’s Heart
Acknowledgments
It’s bittersweet to end this series. I love Ryn and Nash so much, I’m glad they got their ending, but sad there won’t be any more stories from them, at least not in the near future. There are so many wonderful people that helped make this story turn from the lump of coal into what I hope is close to a diamond.
My beta reader that put up with the entire series even when it was a mess, Jessie Wolf, thank you! To my editor, Sotia Lazu, she is beyond fabulous. I’m always amazed by the feedback I receive from her. It’s thorough and spot on. She always makes me work to have my books become better, and I love her for it. My proofreader, Yesenia Vargas, is wonderful. She always helps me polish my manuscripts going above and beyond her job as a proofreader.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank my family. From my brothers and sister to my parents, I don’t know what I’d do without you! You read my books and ask how things are going. It means so much to me that you care. I’m the lucky mother of three of the most fabulous children. They are incredible and support me by giving me time to write and telling everyone about my books. My husband is beyond helpful, being my sounding board, listening to me go on and on about my books, and loving me even when times are rough. I couldn’t manage this without him. Love you, Erik!
My biggest thanks has to go you to you, my fans. For all those who ask me how my books are doing, who take the time to purchase and read my books, thank you. You’re support means so much to me. I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without you. Your words of encouragement and excitement over my books keeps me writing. Thank you!
About the Author
Amazon best selling author Janeal Falor lives in Utah with her husband and three children. In her non-writing time she teaches her kids to make silly faces, cooks whatever strikes her fancy, and attempts to cultivate a garden even when half the things she plants die. When it's time for a break she can be found taking a scenic drive with her family or drinking hot chocolate.
www.janealfalor.com
[email protected]
