Page 79 of Faeling (Monstrous World #4)

Three Months Later

The royal quarters of the citadel echoed with lively chatter and bursts of giggles. On this most special of days, the king had been banished from his quarters to ready himself elsewhere, as all of the rooms were needed for the true preparations.

Ravenna had bid her handsome mate goodbye early that morning, claiming a lingering kiss that would have to last her until that afternoon. With a wink, Vallek had whispered, “I’ll be waiting for you,” before bidding farewell to the gaggle of women already gathering in their quarters.

And so Ravenna had handed herself over to Hilde’s care. If she’d thought preparing for the day Vallek announced her as his mate had taken time, it was nothing compared to the wedding day.

“Everything has to be perfect,” Hilde muttered, not for the first time, as she dabbed a little more opalescent cream across Ravenna’s collarbones, stood back to view her progress, and then stepped forward to add a little more.

Eydis grinned patiently. “It will be, love.” She and Ravenna exchanged smirks; for all that it was Ravenna and Vallek’s wedding day, Hilde’s anxieties outnumbered them all.

Ravenna wasn’t quite sure how Eydis had managed to plan and execute a royal wedding so seamlessly in such little time, but then, she’d given up on trying to decipher the spymaster’s brilliance. It was an unseen force, like the wind, and Ravenna found it best to be blown along.

Although it had been three months since defeating Amaranthe, Eydis had only really had two to plan, as Ravenna and Vallek had stayed on in Fallorian for some weeks, offering Leita support.

They returned to Balmirra only when Leita assured them she had enough allies and protection within both the capital and the faelands.

Although, Leita had extracted promises from Ravenna to visit again when she could.

Balmirra had erupted in celebration at the king’s return, descending into days of feasting, drinking, and dancing.

It’d been almost surreal to return to their lives, something Ravenna hadn’t thought she’d see again.

Duties resumed, life went on; Vallek easily retook his place within the complex web of government, but Ravenna required a few more days to get her head round the idea that a future, vast and unknown, had been laid at her feet.

Her determined azai knew just where to start: it was time to wed. A wedding and coronation both.

Foodstuffs and wine had to be ordered. Banners had to be made, flowers had to be sourced, and commemorative coins had to be struck.

Fabric, jewels, lace, it all came flowing into the citadel.

Meanwhile, invitations went out, great official scrolls written in gold ink, secured with silk ribbon, and sealed by Vallek’s signet ring.

Under Brynhíl’s expert leadership, the citadel was scrubbed from top to bottom, preparing to house the great orcish paladins.

Kennum and all his daughters. Hrothgar and his whole retinue.

The court of Holdur, the chieftains of the eastern tribes, denizens from every village and hamlet—they would all be welcomed to witness the dawning of a new age.

Between resuming the duties she’d begun before leaving for Fallorian and overseeing the tasks delegated by Eydis, Ravenna had caught her stride.

Preparations lent a momentum to the days, until they were passing in a blur of fittings, flower arrangements, and council meetings.

She and Vallek collapsed into their bed each night, exhausted but satisfied.

There had been so much rush, so much anticipation, that the day finally being here hardly seemed real.

For all the planning and stress, Eydis was the most serene of them all. As Ravenna stood patiently atop a low table, Hilde circling her with dizzying speed, Eydis had taken it upon herself to stand nearby—ostensibly to feed Ravenna but also keep Hilde from working herself into a true fit.

The strategy worked, and as the day lengthened, Ravenna neared being ready—even if Hilde insisted she wasn’t even close. The others flitted in and out of the main hall, helping where they could, even if it was just by keeping Ravenna and Eydis company as Hilde worked feverishly.

Brynhíl came in often, monitoring their progress to update Vallek, as well as bringing fortifying plates of finger foods. Although too busy to stay long, she gushed over the vision Ravenna made in her gown. “You’ll knock him right over,” she promised.

Asta and Molly kept them supplied with food and good cheer—as well as running little errands for Hilde. When Hilde discovered how handy Molly was with a needle, the woman was conscripted into last-minute adjustments, mainly adding a few more loose crystals into Ravenna’s train.

The next time the human woman wandered into her sight, Ravenna laid her hand gently on Molly’s shoulder to—

—a great house upon a hill—three unicorns butting heads to get the best view of the baby—well done, sweetling, well done—we call her Laniet—

—apologize.

Ravenna’s thoughts dissolved into surprise. It was her first vision in months. After fulfilling Amaranthe’s fall, Ravenna had begun to believe she wouldn’t have visions anymore. It was another new reality she had to grow accustomed to.

Although she’d never relished having visions—indeed, many times she’d wished to be rid of them—something about never having them again brought a touch of sadness.

Her visions had been part of her magic, part of her, and being without them was like losing a finger or toe.

Not catastrophic, but not comfortable, either.

A smile broke across her lips, a surge of relief overtaking her.

Molly looked up at Ravenna’s touch to see her enigmatic smile.

“I’m sorry you’ve been put to work,” said Ravenna.

Molly waved away her concerns. “It’s no problem. How many chances will I have to work on something so fine?”

“If you ever want a break from that fae of yours, I’d be happy to offer you a position,” Hilde teased.

All of them laughed at the idea of Allarion ever letting Molly out of his sight again.

The weeks they’d spent apart, with Allarion aiding Leita in Fallorian and Molly safely kept with his family at their country estate, had been difficult on the pair. She had finally come to reunite with him not long before Ravenna and Vallek departed the fae capital.

Although she hadn’t gotten to spend much time with Allarion’s azai, Ravenna quickly took to Molly.

Lively and sarcastic, she was a perfect complement to Allarion’s more serious nature—and most importantly, wouldn’t be bullied by Bellarand.

From what Ravenna came to know of Molly’s past, she sensed a kindred spirit, and the two of them shared an easy understanding.

And, most importantly to Ravenna, Molly and Allarion made each other happy. Watching them together, bantering back and forth—sometimes silently as they conversed and argued with Bellarand—was something to behold. They were a unit, a family, and Ravenna couldn’t be happier for Allarion.

He’d sacrificed so much for her and her family. Even though Ravenna had upended her father’s plans, none of this would have been possible without Allarion’s help. His loyalty to Maxim and love for Ravenna was a catalyst, and she would always be grateful.

Molly and Allarion had arrived from the faelands a few days previously, bringing well-wishes from Leita. The new Fae Queen sent her apologies for not being able to attend in person, as her growing bond with the faelands was too fragile to risk.

Ravenna understood and hoped to visit her friend the following spring. Hopefully by then, Leita would have made more progress.

As Molly began to string another crystal bead on her thread, Ravenna warned, “Just don’t tire yourself. Not in your condition.”

Molly frowned first at the thread and then at Ravenna. “My condition? I’m well, I—” Her eyes widened, a choked sound catching in her throat.

Ravenna’s smile was smug as the orcesses squealed in delight. She’d missed this—her visions hadn’t always been bad, and being able to offer a little hope, a little glimpse of good times, always pleased her.

You see? said Oberon smugly. I told you they’d return with time. Gifts aren’t known to suddenly vanish.

Yes, I need to stop doubting you.

Exactly right.

One of the more interesting things Ravenna had overseen the past few months was the creation of comfortable stables for Oberon, Callistix, and their herd.

Though the danger to her had passed, the unicorns determined they wished to stay near Balmirra and her, and so Ravenna wanted to offer them accommodations whenever they desired to stay in the citadel.

It shocked more than a few orcs, and the distrust between orcs and unicorns wouldn’t disappear overnight, but it was a step towards coexistence. And, with the wounds sustained at the battle of Fallorian, it gave her peace of mind to know Oberon had a safe, warm place to continue healing.

Hilde had even taken to sewing more and more elaborate caparisons.

She enjoyed the challenge, and Oberon was nothing if not a little vain, and so the two of them had worked out a system to try different fabrics and threads—especially after Ravenna refused to be a mediary whenever they wanted to spend a long afternoon debating colors.

Just wait until you see what she’s made me, Oberon teased. I fear I might outshine even you, Crow.

We’ll see about that.

Ravenna suspected she’d outshine the sun with the wealth of gold and jewels Hilde had managed to pin, place, and sew onto her. The gown and veil were heavy, but she still joined in the squeals and embraces as they all congratulated Molly.

The woman was stunned, but as the moments passed, a smile drew wider and wider across her face.

Leaning down to kiss her cheeks, Ravenna whispered, “It’s early days yet, but know that she will be happy and healthy.”