Page 64 of The Final Battle

“Miranda?“

“Well done, Dragon Queen,“ she answered, giving me a bright smile.

Another person appeared next to her, wrapping her arms around Miranda’s waist. “See Mom, I knew she could do it. The others might have doubted a noble woman could pull this off but they forgot one thing. You were always born with the heart of a mercenary.“

They both smiled and waved, dispersing into glowing blue dust as Jade burst through their image. “Little bird!“

“It’s over,“ I croaked my emotions thick in my throat. “It’s finally over.“

Jade crouched down, letting me wrap my arms around his neck as he lifted me from the ground. “You did it, little bird, you saved everyone.“

“No, it wasn’t just me,“ I corrected, resting my head on his shoulder. “We all did it together, because love and hope will always win out in the end.“

Chapter thirty-three

Cassarah

“Are you sure you need to head back to Sheca?“ Queen Catharine asked me for the tenth time.

I took her hands in mine and clasped them tightly. “While I would love to spend more time here, I think a week of relaxing and doing nothing is all I can handle. If I don’t get these men something to do so they stop driving me crazy, who knows what will happen.“

Catharine chuckled at that. “They do seem the intense sort, don’t they.“

“You don’t mind that I steal King Thomas for a bit, do you? We need to go over our plans with Phillip before he returns to Norden and begins to pick up the pieces.“

She waved off my question. “Goodness no, thanks to your prodding I was able to find where Harriet’s been staying and I plan to go see her. As you said, if we really love each other, we will find a way to work past what’s happened. Thank you for explaining what did really happen to me. I felt like a doddering old fool. How could I just up and forget three years of my life?“

“I’m so sorry it happened, but all of that is in the past and the future’s so bright for all of our countries. We need to do better, for ourselves and our children,“ I pointed out as I lovingly brushed a hand over my stomach.

The queen’s eyes welled up with tears, but she sniffled and regained her composure. “You come see me any time, I know you lost your mother but don’t forget we are family now too. Off you go now, before I change my mind and beg your men to let me keep you longer.“

That threat was enough to get me moving. The queen and I had grown incredibly close over the past week, but she was still a lot to handle all the time. Skipping down the steps of the summer castle I found my men all ready to go, their dragons packed up and waiting.

“I thought she was going to change her mind and lock you away,“ Gavin teased as I passed him.

Ignoring him, I headed right for Vasin who had his wings out sunning, warming his body up for me. He’d become just as bad as the other men in my life, worrying about the silliest things.

“Cass,“ Vasin warned, catching wind of my thoughts. “Just get up here so we can go home. Our time here has been needed but there is much for us to do.“

“Bossy, bossy, bossy,“ I said as I climbed up. “Alright you grumpy old man, let’s go home.“

The flight was exactly what I needed, we kept the pace efficient but not pushing us harder than we needed, since we still had half our army with us. Once I’d taken care of the heart and Henry died, anyone who’d been influenced by either was freed. Many people awoke to find themselves in the middle of a battle they didn’t know they were fighting. Of course, there were those who were fully aware and kept up to the bitter end, but we outnumbered them. It was a swift ending to a war that took generations to build.

King Thomas came out right away with Prince Phillip to deal with things and help assist those who were displaced from their home country. With the three of us we came up with a plan, most of one that is. After the battle, I slept for two days after using so much magic, this sent the guys into a frenzy. When I woke, they treated me like I’d almost died or something. That is why I requested them to join me in Sheca, where everyone will feel much more comfortable.

The dreams we had for the future of our kingdoms were big dreams, but I really believed that they could happen. Right now, everything was in shambles, Errit had no ruler, Utros was reeling from the impact of those under Henry’s influence recovering, and Norden was going to be under Prince Phillip’s rule when he returned.

Queen Mary still refused to speak to any of her family, but Catharine decided it might be best if she took care of her. Being in Creisal wouldn’t remind her of what happened and it would be best for her not to be in Sheca any longer.

That first sight of Sheca as we crossed over the mountain range, was one I loved. It was a beacon of green in the harsh terrain. A haven for those who needed it and a land who put their people first. Dragons came and went freely, choosing those they wished to find friendship with, an occurrence we hoped might start to happen in other kingdoms. Vasin circled the valley letting me take it all in. I might have been gone for only two weeks but so much has happened it felt like a lifetime since I was home.

“You’re back!“ Helena cried as she pulled me into a hug. “Oh dear girl, I’ve missed you terribly.“

“I’m not sure if I should be offended, you’re never that excited to see me and I’m your own grandson,“ Cole pouted as he walked up behind me.

Helena smacked him upside the head before pulling him into a hug. “Foolish boy, you’re all I have left besides your grandfather, of course you matter.“

“Yeah, well that won’t be true for long, someone is adding to the family,“ Cole whispered loudly.