Page 44

Severin

We laze in bed, ignoring our grumbling stomachs, neither of us wanting to get up.

Hannah lies curled against my side, head pillowed on my shoulder, her fingers tracing over the tattoos on my chest. My shadows extend, eager to caress her hand. She smiles, her cheek moving against my skin. “This is nice.”

“Nice?” I arch an eyebrow. “What a thoroughly inadequate word.”

“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with nice!” She snuggles closer, her bent knee sliding up my legs. “What would you call it, oh wordsmith?”

“Glorious, transcendent.” My arm tightens around her. “More than I can ever deserve.”

“What?” She startles. “Why?”

“Up until a couple of months ago, I thought I served a righteous deity.” The words don’t want to come, but I force them.

I’ve never admitted this next part to anyone, not even my friends.

But my betrothed deserves the truth. “Once I saw the Dark God for who he truly is, I also had to reevaluate my view of myself. I realized I’d been a villain. ”

She pushes up onto her elbow to stare at me. “You were following orders!”

“Is that any excuse?” I offer her a wry smile. “I certainly enjoyed the power of my position.”

“You are powerful.” She taps my chest. “But everything I’ve seen you do with your power is good. The revitalization of town, the beautiful gardens, even the way you take care of the tulips! Nothing’s been villainous.”

“I’m reformed. I came to Earth for a new life, a different life far from war and destruction.” My hand strokes her back. “I never thought I’d have anything like this: love, comfort, a home. I don’t deserve it. But I’ll take it and revel in it, spend every day trying to deserve you.”

“Oh, Severin.”

The love in her eyes undoes me. I’ve told her my worst, and my Hannah shows me nothing but compassion. Goddess, how did I get so lucky? I kiss her, soft and slow, my shadows coiling around her, pulling her closer.

Then a faint knock at the door makes me grin with anticipation. A half hour ago, I sent one of my shadows slipping through the palace without Hannah realizing, carrying very specific instructions, and this should be the reward.

My shadow tendril opens the door and picks up the waiting tray, carrying it in to the bedside table. The sweet smell of pastries and spice fills the air.

Hannah sits up, tucking a sheet around her. “Is that cinnamon rolls from Cake My Day?”

“Your favorite.” I set a plate filled with one of the rolls on her lap and take another for myself, the sugar and spice of the cinnamon dancing across my tongue and making me moan.

She takes her own appreciative bite as well. “Is this what every morning’s going to be like? Treats from Cake My Day?”

“It will be if I have anything to say about it,” I growl. “I refuse to eat any breakfast not made by a brownie.”

“What about waffles?”

“They may be the only exception.” I smirk. “Trust me. You didn’t have to eat the porridge coming out of the palace kitchens, and you never will.”

Amusement dances in her eyes. “That bad?”

“The worst.” I give a pretend shudder, making her laugh, the joyful sound ringing through my soul. I take another bite of brownie-baked bliss and pour us both coffees. I’ve taken a liking to the dark, bitter beverage, though I add sugar and milk to Hannah’s until it turns a light brown.

She takes an appreciative sip, then says, “That’s one thing we still need to find for the town, a dedicated coffee shop. If you like black coffee, you’re going to love espresso.”

“With Ferndale Falls now thriving, I’m sure you’ll attract one. And if we don’t, I can always mesmerize the appropriate human to get them to come.”

“Severin!” Her eyes go wide. “You can’t do that.”

“Of course I can.” I frown. “My magic’s easily powerful enough. ”

“No, I mean it’s not right.”

“Ah, well. You’ll need to act as my moral compass.

Mine’s still a bit rusty.” And really, all’s fair in love and good food, so maybe a tiny compulsion wouldn’t be so bad if this espresso is as good as she says.

I am, after all, still shadow fae. I never claimed to relinquish all of my devious ways.

And if something will make my Hannah happy…

I hide my smirk behind my coffee cup and enjoy the smile on her face as she takes another bite.

As soon as we finish eating, I lead her into the bathroom.

Hannah’s eyes go wide as she points. “Holy shit! Is that a bathtub or a swimming pool?”

“Both.” I smirk, gesturing to the marble bathing pool. “It can be any temperature you want.”

She spins slowly, taking in the gold-veined black marble sinks and counters, the fixtures all made out of gold. “This is seriously lush.”

I hug her from behind, watching us in the mirror. “Fit for a queen.”

“I’m really going to live here?”

“If you want.” I press a kiss to the top of her head. “Although I’m rather fond of your cottage as well. We could keep it, use it as a getaway when palace life gets to be too much.”

“I’d love that.”

I scoop her into my arms and carry her into the pool, settling in the hot water with her on my lap. My soapy hands glide over her soft skin and comb through her wet hair until she melts against me with a sigh of contentment.

Her eyes sparkle as they meet mine, as bright as a sky full of stars.

My love, my fated mate. I’m still in awe I’ve been given such a gift, one I never thought possible for one such as me.

I’m not worthy of her, but I’m far too selfish to give her up.

I’ll simply need to become the man she deserves.

And if breakfast in bed and my luxurious bathing pool make her happy, then she’ll have all this and more.

I’m amazed all over again at how much her happiness sparks my own. My past self thought happiness was something to be snatched from other people and hoarded selfishly. Hannah has shown me the opposite is true. Nothing will ever make me as happy as bringing her joy.

When I fly Hannah to work, we sign a new agreement in order to anchor the palace on Earth, but this one has no expiration date.

I return to the palace, lift the tapestry in the foyer, and step through the door to Avalon.

The same room, even though a mirror of the one I just left, feels immediately different.

Magic thrums powerfully beneath my feet, but the light dims, the colors fade, and the air loses the sweetness of flowers.

Yet even here there is now hope. Shadow fae walk past, their steps full of purpose.

“Severin!” Daigan greets me as I stride into the throne room. He stands from the regent chair to give me a hearty clap on the shoulder, his shadow wings tucked against his back. “I hear congratulations are in order.”

“They are indeed.” I grin. “I will marry my Hannah in a month. You will be there and stand with me.”

“Will I have to dress like a human?” Still wearing fighting leathers, my warlord scowls at my fine cotton shirt and pinstriped waistcoat.

“You do realize our ancestors wore clothes not too dissimilar to this?” I point to a tapestry, where an elf of three-hundred years ago sports breeches and a long open coat trimmed in brocade over a heavily embroidered waistcoat.

“Bah.”

“Cotton or silk won’t hurt you, old friend. You may even come to like them.” I pass the throne and continue through the door leading outside. Only, here in Avalon, there is no garden.

I crouch and press a palm to the ground, and for the first time, I note a tiny answering spark of seeds that may yet spring to life. “It feels better.”

“We’ve been working on it as much as we can,” Daigan says. “I’ve still got everyone with plant magic working the sun houses that grow our food.”

Only a few other wielders of plant magic are sprinkled throughout the population.

My gift has always been unusual for a shadow fae, who tend to be stronger in the less nature-based areas of magic, such as glamour and illusions.

I often think Avalon granted a royal this power out of desperation, wanting once more to bloom.

I shoot a pulse of plant magic into the ground, letting it ripple outward into the dead forest that surrounds the palace. Little echoes ping back, tiny bits of plant life, stirring, growing.

“Now that things are settled on Earth, I’ll visit more often and work on the land.” I stand. “Avalon will be beautiful again. If not for us, then for our children.”

Daigan grunts.

“In the meantime, I want you to put yourself into the rotation for Earth. You deserve to live for a time among trees.”

He frowns, opening his mouth to protest.

“Before you refuse, hear me out.” I smirk. “I found a brownie baker for the town. You can have all the bread and pastries you desire.”

“Damn you, Severin.” My friend shakes his head, a smile quirking the corners of his lips. “You had to go and say the magic words.”

“We should also consider if there are more shadow fae who can begin businesses in Ferndale Falls. We have one dress shop so far, but if we open more, those fae can find permanent homes on Earth, which will free up more spots in the palace.”

“I’ll put out a call for interested people.”

“Consult with Varyn about shop ideas.”

We wrap up a few more matters, and I spend several hours walking the forest and sending healing magic into the tiny new bits of plant life poking above the soil.

Then I return to Earth, visiting the live forest around the palace, and sending healing magic into the trees.

All the growing foliage around me resonates with my power and fills me with the heady vitality of life.

I will always care about Avalon, but Earth is now my true home.

This is my forest, my small town, and my amazing lady love.

I launch into the air, flying toward Ferndale Falls, eager to arrange a few more surprises for my enchanting little witch.

I want to buy her a wedding band that matches her engagement ring, and I also want Haute and Bothered to provide whichever wedding gown she may desire, as well as the dresses for the bridal party.

She’ll say it’s all too much, but what good is it to be king if I can’t spoil my love?

A flash of red in the corner of my eye makes me come to a hover.

Lukendevener soars toward me in his weredragon form, his red wings cupping the air as he comes to a halt before me. “Severin, I’ve discovered what it might mean that your magic mixed with Mayor Wylde’s.”

I arch one eyebrow.

“I think it means you’re fated mates,” the dragon says. “You’ll probably need to knot her to be certain. All the texts say a mate mark should appear.”

“You mean like this one?” I tug aside my clothing to display the new tattoo over my heart, my fingers lingering as they trace over it. I’m still amazed it happened, that I’m lucky enough to be bound to Hannah.

He scowls, his wings stirring the air in agitation. “You could have told me.”

“It only happened last night, and I was in the middle of knotting my mate.” I glare right back. “ You certainly weren’t on my mind.”

He grunts. “Fair enough. ”

Goddess, I’m not handling this well. I need to smooth over relations with other fae, and the dragons will make for powerful allies. I admire Hannah’s ability to talk to others. What would she do?

“Thank you for researching this for me,” I grit out, hoping it doesn’t sound as reluctant to his ears.

“I wish it hadn’t taken so long,” he says, sounding as uncomfortable as I feel. “That library of mine…” He shakes his head.

“You need to find help. Perhaps one of the humans.”

“Maybe.”

“Come.” I gesture toward town. “Let me buy you an ale for your troubles.”

With a snap of his great wings, Lukendevener turns to fly beside me. We soar into town and land on the green near The Thirsty Tusk.

The tulips run over, surrounding me, tiny leaf arms waving for attention. I give them each little pulses of healing energy.

“This is fascinating.” The dragon eyes them keenly, reaching into his invisible pocket to pull parchment and pen from what seems thin air. He starts scribbling. “Did you make them?”

“I made the original flowers, but I didn’t animate them.” I brush my fingers over the last few tulips. “That was one of the human witches.”

His eyes narrow. “They have a surprising level of power for non-fae.”

I smirk at him. “If I’ve learned one thing here on Earth, it’s never underestimate a human woman. ”

The light drops to a smooth golden glow as we step inside the pub, and the rich smell of ale fills the air. A few groups of humans and shadow fae sit sprinkled across the room, but things will get busier come evening.

Rune sits at the bar, talking to the orc bartender.

“Two ales,” I say to Thorvinn, then spy that Rune’s almost finished his current drink. “Make that three.”

The orc sets the frothing tankards in front of us, and we drink, the hoppy ale strong and refreshing.

“I’m surprised to see you here, since your contract to protect Hannah ended yesterday,” I say to the werewolf. “I thought you’d be back in Alarria by now.”

“The apartment you rented is still mine for the rest of the month,” Rune says. “And the gold you paid me isn’t good for much in Alarria. But here…” He shrugs and takes another sip.

“I like it here, too,” I say, a bit surprised to admit it to the two of them. “Now that there’s an orc pub and a brownie bakery, Ferndale Falls is perfect.”

“Not to mention the pizza,” the werewolf adds.

The dragon grunts and lifts his tankard in a salute before drinking.

We drink for a bit in silence, but it’s a comfortable silence. I think I like it.

Then a group of women enter, laughing and bright and yelling for cider. They’re the witch friends of Hannah’s.

The men on either side of me tense, their bodies shifting slightly so they can watch the women without being completely obvious.

“Yes, Earth certainly has its charms,” I tease, then grin as Hannah calls my name .

I spin to find her framed by the door of the pub, sunlight pouring in all around her.

I hurry over and take her into my arms, kissing her as if I haven’t seen her for days, for indeed, it feels that way.

She gives me a breathless chuckle. “Hi to you, too.”

“Hello, my love.” I hold her to me, my very best reason for loving Ferndale Falls.

My Hannah. My joy. My home.