Page 134 of A Dance with the Fae Prince (Married to Magic 2)
I blurt more laughter. “You’re too tired. You can’t possibly believe what you’re saying.”
“You know what I’m saying is true,” he whispers into my ear. “You know it deep within you.”
I ignore the nagging feeling that he’s right. The feeling I’ve been desperately trying to ignore for days. “You’re desperate.”
“Fine then.” He pulls away. “If you don’t believe me, come and put on the crown. If you’re right, and I’m wrong, then you have nothing to fear. It will fall from your brow like any other’s.” Davien starts for the doorway but I’m frozen in place.
“And, what if you’re right?” I ask in a very small voice.
He glances over his shoulder with a small smile. “Then you will rule, as your birthright intended.”
“But you still have the magic.” I rush over to him. “I abdicated.”
“These things can be undone. Remember, abdication was only ever meant as a placeholder until the true heir was ready. You are ready and I will give you back your power gladly.” He grabs my hands. “Come with me.”
“I can’t.”
“No matter what, Katria, I will be by your side. If you are the lost heir, then I will be with you as your most faithful servant. If you are not, then you are still half fae and we will spend our lives together in bliss. There is nothing but joy before us, I promise you.”
I drift through the castle, led by Davien. My mind is still churning through his words, trying to make sense of them. And yet I feel like my logical thoughts are trying to catch up with what my heart has already known, has maybe known for a long time.
I never belonged to the world I was born into. I never fit in there. And yet here, ever since I came to Midscape, I found purpose—I found love.
The second we cross the threshold of the main hall, Oren is upon us. “Your Majesty, there are more here who would—”
Davien waves him off. Wordlessly, before all that have gathered, he guides me to the throne at the top of the dais as though he is guiding me to the bed. He motions for the seat and I hear whispering erupt around the hall.
“Your Majesty?” Vena steps forward. “What are you—”
“Many years ago, we lost the woman we believed to be the last true heir of the Aviness bloodline. Though she never held the throne, she was rumored to have lived in the High Court right underneath Boltov’s nose, keeping the relics of her ancestors safe. It was the pursuit of a book she stole when Boltov finally discovered her that led me to meet Katria.” Davien addresses the room. “The book was found across the Fade and in the Natural World. And when I used it in a ritual to regain the power of the ancient kings, that power did not flow to me, but to her.” He motions to me. More whispering and glances are exchanged. “It did so, because she is a child of two worlds. Talahani fled and made a new life far from where Boltov could find her. She fell in love with a human and gave birth to a daughter.”
Davien comes to stand before me. He looks down at me with eyes full of love and admiration. It’s enough to make me feel brave. To make me, well, honestly, a little foolish.
“Sit, Princess Katria, on the throne that you saved, that is rightfully yours.”
I oblige him. The throne doesn’t feel any different from any other chair. But I’m keenly aware of the moment that the glass crown hovers above my head. I glance up at Davien, stealing whatever bravery I can from his loving gaze. He lowers the crown to my brow.
It stays.
A perfect fit.
“All hail, Queen Katria, true blood heir to the fae throne, last of the Aviness bloodline,” Davien intones and the hall echoes. He gives me a small smile, love glittering in his brilliant eyes. “Long may you reign.”
