Page 56 of Claimed

When I had sacrificed my life to save the island, I had proven to everyone—my ancestors, my court, the very lands beneath my feet—that I was worthy of leading the Court of Isles. In doing so, my natural wards had flooded the island in a protective wash that couldn’t be undone by any form of magic on the planet. It was as natural as breathing, as my sisters had promised.

But Ranger X was the type that needed scientific reassurance, which was fine by me. When he’d arrived yesterday to inform me that every test Ranger HQ had run against the wards had failed—meaning even the Rangers themselves hadn’t been able to penetrate the wards—I hadn’t been surprised. Neither had Silas.

“I had to Phase into a treetop,” Atlas said wryly. “Maybe you can unlock a little patch of garden from your wards for me to travel into more easily next time?”

I grinned, but Silas just shook his head, a smile playing on his lips as he said, “I don’t think that will be necessary. We don’t need you visiting that often.”

But the camaraderie between the brothers was easy and friendly today. When Atlas’s eyes fell to my finger, to the shiny, aquamarine gem that had been placed there by the man I loved, his eyes widened further.

“Is a congratulations in order?” Atlas asked. “Are there wedding bells in the future?”

I leaned against Silas. He had proposed last night when we were alone beneath the stars on the castle balcony. I still wasn’t used to looking down at my finger, at the ring that was a display for any and all to see—a public and definite show of our commitment to one another.

Silas had chosen the perfect ring, one that was reminiscent of the band I’d worn my whole life. The band that had turned into the crown I still wore. The stone on it matched the waters of TheIsle with an intensity that made my heart ache. He’d selected it just for me, and the thoughtfulness combined with his tender proposal only served to confirm that I’d chosen the right man to be by my side for the rest of my life.

“I want to make this official—us,” Silas had whispered last night, under the starry blanket of sky. “When I found you, Alessia, you were in a wedding dress, but you were marrying the wrong man. I knew it then, just like I know it now—you are the only one for me.”

My heart had nearly stopped as he’d dropped to one knee.

“I’d been searching for you my whole life,” Silas had continued. “We might be fated mates, soulmates, whatever you want to call it, but that doesn’t mean I don’t choose you, too. I love you, Alessia, on every level, and I choose you. Will you marry me?”

I glanced down at the ring, too, remembering the moment I’d saidyes. I’d already known we’d been meant to be together, but this very humanlike gesture of proposing marriage, a nod to my former life in New York, had touched me. It felt like a choice, like a promise, like an eternity.

“I hope I’ll have an invitation to the ceremony.” Atlas cleared his throat, unable to wipe the smile from his face. “In the meantime, there’s something I’d like to discuss. News from Olympus.”

“Is this about Liza?” I asked. “About her crown?”

The appearance of the crown on Liza’s head upon the defeat of the Darkest Lord was one of the more perplexing pieces of unfinished business to come out of the confrontation. I still didn’t understand what it meant.

I knew Liza had an intense and powerful connection to spirits, to the spirit world, even, but something wasn’t sitting right with me. The Darkest Lord had ruled the underworld, and Lizawas all sunshine and joy—there was no way she could rule the underworld, even if she’d been chosen by some magical order.

“I discussed it with Olympus. And Seer Goddard.” Atlas looked at me knowingly. “Seer Goddard has agreed to step in and take control over the spirit realm, formerly known as the underworld, until Liza comes of age.”

“Seer Goddard?”

“As a dreamwalker and a Seer,” Atlas said, “he’s able to come and go from the spirit realms much easier than most others, albeit briefly. It’s enough that he can maintain control until Liza takes over.”

I shook my head. “I’vebeento the underworld. You can’t place Liza in charge of it. It’s not…her. It’s awful and dismal and the antithesis of everything she stands for.”

“The underworld is not what most mortals think of as ‘hell’. It’s a spirit realm that has been controlled by the Darkest Lord for so long that it has turned black and ashy and hopeless because of the reign of terror. However, by nature, a spirit realm is neither good nor bad. Liza will be able to transform this realm into her own vision when the time comes. In the meantime, Seer Goddard will ensure it is kept safe and preserved for her.”

“Will you share this news with Liza?” I asked. “She deserves to know.”

“I think it would be better coming from you.” Atlas stood. “Not to mention, I should get back. By the way, when’s the big day?”

Silas and I exchanged a look, but neither of us answered. We didn’t have a day chosen for our nuptials; this was still all so new to us. We promised Atlas to let him know once we’d decided, and after pulling me in for a hug and doling out a grudging, hearty handshake to his brother, Atlas vanished from the castle gardens.

Over the next few weeks, a new normal settled over The Isle, like someone had sprinkled a saltshaker over us filled with ahappy dust. The Court of Isles seemed rejuvenated to its core. Its emerald grasses sparkled like crystals. Conversation chirped in the marketplace, lively and hopeful. The castle bustled with life and energy.

I even noted the ley lines humming along, recharged and invigorated, as if they were a part of me, as if the magic that flowed through them flowed through my very veins. I could feel it in that little jar of heartbeats contained in my chest, those colorful stones a collection of unique individuals, all working together to make this island home.

Silas and I held our wedding ceremony on the castle balcony mere weeks after the proposal. We’d considered waiting longer, planning something larger, but ultimately, we decided not to wait. We didn’t need the pomp and circumstance to know we were meant to be together, and we were both ready to start eternity by each other’s sides—officially.

Everyone in the court was invited: the gnomes, the elves, the Rangers. Atlas and Millie and Lily and Ranger X made up our small wedding party, along with Liza. The ceremony lasted the whole night, a festive, celebratory party made even better by Lily and Ranger X’s announcement that they were expecting a baby in the new year.

“A baby girl,” I said in awe, hugging Lily to me as she shared the good news. “A tiny Mixologist.”

“Maybe you and Silas could be the godparents?” Lily gave me a tearstained grin. “I can’t think of anyone better to help guide our daughter. I mean, howawesomefor this little girl to have a queen as a godmother.”

I hugged my precious friend back as hard as I could. It was a night of love and laughter, the sort of night I’d dreamed of for my wedding. It made each and every year of solitude worth it. Because of the pain of loneliness, a pain I knew so intrinsically, I also knew not to take these moments for granted.

I had finally found my place, my home, my destiny. We had brought the Court of Isles back to life, and I had proudly taken my place as its queen. But more importantly, I had found my family, and that was the best magic of all.

THE END