Page 92 of A Flame of the Phoenix (An Heir Comes to Rise #6)
CHAPTER NINETY-ONE
Nik
N ik stood on the balcony of his rooms, staring out over the kingdom of High Farrow with a fresh breath of perception. There was so much he wanted to achieve in his reign, and now he finally felt the freedom to begin to dream.
Tauria crept up, circling her arms around him from behind. He drew her around to his side, kissing the top of her head as she joined him in a silent moment of reflection and hope for their future.
“There’s a lot to rebuild,” Tauria said. “More so in Fenstead.”
“We’ll dedicate our time and forces to both kingdoms accordingly. The world knows we are the king and queen of both now.”
“The path of healing will be long.”
“So will be our reign.”
Nik kissed her in promise, feeling the light of their future expanding in his chest. Asari rubbed herself around their legs as if she wanted to be included in their plans in either kingdom. Though she wasn’t a beast native to either, he’d come to be glad for her unexpected, loyal companionship.
When a short knock came on their door, Nik called for them to enter. He warmed at sight of Nerida and Tarly, who joined them on the balcony.
Nerida slipped away from Tarly, talking off to the side with Tauria. Nik looked at them fondly, still in disbelief that they were sisters. But as they smiled and laughed, reaching for each other, it was a precious sight, and he couldn’t be more delighted they’d found each other.
Katori nuzzled Asari in greeting—another uncanny sister bond.
Nik met Tarly’s eye, and he was hit with a whirlwind of emotions he’d never gotten to express in the midst of all the war and chaos.
“Thank you,” Nik said with all the sincerity he could, but it didn’t feel like nearly enough. “You saved Tauria’s life, and I can’t ever repay you for that.”
Tarly smirked, waving him off as if it were nothing and heading around him to lean on the stone railing. “I didn’t really do it for you,” he said nonchalantly.
“Still, it was remarkable what you did. All this time, you’ve thought yourself powerless when you were harboring the greatest ability of us all.”
“Don’t give me too much praise. It’s weird.”
Nik chuckled, leaning over the balcony with him and watching the sun set over the burning horizon. It made him think of Faythe, who would be heading home to Rhyenelle any day now.
“Will you be going to Lakelaria or Olmstone?” Nik asked.
“I’m not the heir of Olmstone. I can’t explain how it doesn’t feel right. But I know my sister will make a great queen when she comes of age, and I’ll do whatever I need to until then.”
“For what it’s worth, I think you would make a great king.”
“I hope to be…for her.” Tarly’s gaze slipped briefly across to Nerida, who now sat with Tauria on the outside chaise by the window.
Tarly was more selfless and devoted than Nik had bothered to see before.
“Nerida is claiming her throne then? I’m glad.”
“There’s going to be a lot to learn for both of us.”
“You can call to us for anything. Anytime you need,” Nik offered.
Tarly straightened, and his mouth quirked. “Let’s hope that isn’t too soon.”
Nik hesitated, then he remembered the war they’d just survived and pulled Tarly into a firm embrace. “I mean it,” he said.
Tarly looked stunned when Nik let him go, but to save the awkwardness, Nik turned toward Tauria and Nerida.
“Is it just me, or do they look to be conspiring?” Tarly mused.
Nik huffed a laugh. “Your hope of not seeing me too much too soon might already be thwarted.”
As they got closer, Tauria’s eyes sparkled as they looked up at him. She said, “We were just talking about how we want the world to know we share a father. Nerida is no less legitimate—there’s no reason to hide it.”
Nik’s hand slipped over her shoulder. “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”
“The kingdoms of Ungardia have never been so united in bonds of blood and friendship. It’s a new age for the people,” Tarly said thoughtfully.
“It’s the new age we all fought and sacrificed for,” Tauria said, standing.
Nik pulled her to him with an arm around her waist as they watched the sun’s fleeting rays. Nerida and Tarly stood beside them, with the wolves between them.
“I didn’t expect to be a part of it all, but I’m so happy not to be hiding anymore,” Nerida said quietly.
Tauria took her hand. “No more hiding. Now, we reign.”
Nik found Faythe in the Eternal Woods. She kept her back to him, staring into the waterfall lake that no longer glowed with yucolites. They had been a beautiful sight, but much more so was the healthy and alive picture of his dear friend standing before him. The yucolites had always taken a liking to Faythe, and Nik was beholden to them for giving her their life force.
“Here we are,” Nik said, sauntering up with his hands in his pockets. He watched the water ripple with their reflections. “The Phoenix Queen and the half-adequate king in the woods.”
Faythe chuckled lightly, pushing into his side. “You’ve always been more than adequate,” she said.
“Don’t give me too much praise—it’ll get to my head.”
Her smile faltered, and Nik felt the weight on his own happiness too.
He said, “I’m going to make sure they’re remembered. Jakon and Marlowe are High Farrow citizens who contributed immensely to the war. We wouldn’t be here without them. So their statues will be built in the market square.”
Faythe was silent for a moment. He scented the salt of her tears.
“That’s a beautiful idea,” she whispered.
They walked through the woodland in mournful silence. Faythe had planted a matching tombstone for Jakon next to Marlowe’s. Nik wished he’d been here when they’d fought Marvellas… He was racked with torment, wondering if things could have turned out differently if they’d just had more help.
It was hard to accept the two fearless, gentle humans weren’t coming back, but seeing their stones side by side, Nik wanted to believe their spirits lived on in these woods together.
“I want to come back as often as I can to visit them,” Faythe said.
“You know this kingdom will always be your home too.” His arm draped over her shoulders, pulling her into a side-embrace. They stood there for some time in reflective silence.
“You’re going to make a strong queen, Faythe. It’s always been in you, even before we learned of your heritage.”
“I don’t really know what I’m doing,” she confessed.
Faythe hadn’t grown up in court and around politics, but still, he had every belief in her.
“Just remember to always have Faythe,” Nik mused.
Faythe’s head angled back, hooking a brow of surprise at him. Nik smirked.
“Izaiah might have mentioned it. To live like death is a game, love is a prize, and danger is desire. It’s a mantra he’s taken on in full stride, coaching others by it.”
Faythe rolled her eyes, but the lighter mood relieved some of their burden for a moment.
Her head rested on his shoulder. “I’m so glad you made it, Nik.”
His arm tightened around her. “You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
“It’s time,” Reylan’s voice interrupted gently from behind them.
As they turned, Nik playfully grabbed Faythe, pulling her into a crushing hug.
“You’ve had a mission to steal her from us since the moment you laid eyes on her. I don’t think I’m ready for you to succeed.”
Faythe was going back to Rhyenelle, and he didn’t know when they would next meet again. She laughed, trying to wriggle out of his grip.
Nik let her go, tousling her hair as she batted his hands away.
“Rhyenelle is always a stop beside Fenstead,” she said with a wink.
Nik smiled watching her leave with Reylan. He called one last time, “I’ll await my coronation and wedding invite!”
Faythe’s giggles as she leaned into Reylan settled in his chest before she disappeared out of sight.
Nik headed back toward the waterfall clearing, finding the most beautiful creature sitting by the lake, running her fingers along the surface of the water. Nik sat, tucking himself tightly in behind Tauria.
“Faythe is leaving,” he said.
“We already said our farewells,” Tauria said, with a hint of mischief that told him it might not be long at all before they saw her again.
“What’s next for us?” he asked, eager to dream of the bright future that opened up for them. Nik swept her hair over her shoulder, planting tender kisses down her neck.
“We rebuild.”
“Of course.”
“We have two kingdoms to restore.”
“Then…?” he prompted. “When the day comes that the lands are healed and we rule as normal, what do you dream of, my love?”
Tauria sighed, easing into him more. “A family, eventually.”
Nik’s spirit soared. He shifted smoothly until she was under him against the pristine grass. Tauria laughed, trying to playfully resist his allurement.
“I said eventually .” Her smile brightened his world.
“Consider me very eager to practice until the time is right for both of us.”
Though he wanted to take her here, Nik settled beside her. They watched the cloudless open sky with the freedom to paint their future on the canvas. So Nik did. With his hand in Tauria’s forever, he knew their dreams were safe now.