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"But you," he continued, his voice growing stronger with conviction, "you will succeed where I failed."

"How can you know that?"

His smile widened, revealing teeth that had dulled from their usual sharp gleam. "Because you have found what I never could. A bridge between worlds."

"Sierra," I breathed, understanding dawning.

He nodded. "If it is as you said and you'll form a bonded group with Rowen and Archer, then you'll truly have all of the realms represented. Living proof that the barriers between realms are artificial, unnecessary."

Thunder crashed outside, closer now. The room darkened as clouds must have covered the sun. I could feel the magic of the realm responding to its king's fading life force, the natural order groaning under the strain.

"You will be a brilliant ruler, Callum," my father said, his voice dropping to a whisper as he rested an ice cold hand on my cheek. "Not because you desire power, but because you understand its cost. Not because you seek control, but because you value freedom."

His other hand tightened on mine again, his strength returning briefly in these last moments. "Promise me something."

"Anything," I swore without hesitation.

"Unite them. All of them. Bring down the walls that separate our kind from others. Let magic flow freely between worlds as it was always meant to."

"I promise." The words felt like a vow carved into my soul.

"And Sierra..." his eyes sparkled with something like mischief, a glimpse of the father I remembered from my youth, "bring her here. Along with Rowen and Archer. Let them shake the foundations of our court. We could use a little chaos. Goddess knows your group would cause it."

A laugh burst from me, unexpected and raw. "They certainly specialize in chaos."

"Good," he nodded. "The old ways need challenging."

His eyes drifted past me then, focusing on something, or someone, I couldn't see. A soft smile spread across his face, more peaceful than any expression I'd seen him wear in centuries.

"Ah," he breathed. "They're waiting for me."

My throat closed up. "Mother and Darius?"

He nodded, his gaze still fixed on the empty space beyond my shoulder. "She's as beautiful as the day I met her. Darius as well. It's so good to see him. They call to me."

The air in the room changed, becoming charged with a different kind of energy—not the dying magic of a fading king, but something older, deeper. The transition between life and what comes after.

"Father." I was desperate, needing him to focus on me one last time. "I don't know how to do this without you."

His gaze shifted back to mine, clear and direct. "You do. You always have. Trust your instincts. Trust in what you feel for Sierra. And remember," his voice faltered, then strengthened for one final command, "a true king serves his people, not the other way around."

He squeezed my hand one more time, his grip surprisingly strong. "I am proud of you, my son. I always have been. Evenwhen you thought I wasn't watching, I saw you. I saw your strength, your compassion, your wisdom."

The words hit me like physical blows, each one breaking through barriers I'd built around my heart over centuries. Tears spilled freely down my face now, and I didn't try to hide them.

"I love you, Father," I whispered hoarsely, the words laced with raw emotions.

"And I you," he replied, his voice fading to barely a whisper. "Now rule well. Unite the realms. And find happiness with Sierra, Archer, and your brother. I regret that I let him stay so far away from us. Be happy and love deeply. That is my last command to you."

His eyes drifted back to that invisible presence, his face softening with love. "I'm coming, my heart," he murmured. "I've kept you waiting long enough."

His chest rose once more, fell... and stilled. The hand in mine went completely limp. The faint glow of magic that had clung to him despite his condition winked out like stars at dawn.

Maxiun, King of the Dark Fae, ruler of the shadow realm for millennia, was gone.

A shockwave of power erupted from his body, cascading outward in a silent explosion that I felt rather than heard. The very foundations of the palace trembled. Outside, the storm that had been building broke with a fury that matched my grief, lightning splitting the sky in jagged tears.

I sat there, still clutching his hand, as the magic of rulership transferred to me. It was like ice and fire pouring into my veins simultaneously, filling spaces I hadn't known existed within me. Power and responsibility and knowledge flooding through me in a torrent that nearly drove me to my knees.