“I wouldn’t mind missing the Tremaine girls’ nuptials.”
Killian chuckles.
“It’s good to see you, Kill. I’ve…missed you.”
He gives me another half-smile. He’s never been one to show emotion, but he feels deeply. Betraying me cost him dearly, even if—in retrospect—I can admit that it was the right thing for him to do.
Clapping me on the shoulder, Killian says, “You’ll make a good king, Alistair. Better than your sire. But you’ll need allies if the fae ever overthrow Isanthia and the Five Realms do fall into chaos. I hope you’ll count me among that number.”
“I will. Gods forbid such events come to pass.”
Together, we descend from the tower. A knot that’s been inside my chest for months loosens. While much remains unspoken, I have my old friend back. Just as Elinor wanted.
24
ELINOR
Briar gasps,clasps both hands over her mouth, and then bursts out laughing when she sees my wedding gown.
Not quite the reaction I was expecting.
“Is it bad?” I ask nervously.
“It’swonderful,” she assures me, stepping closer to arrange my veil around my shoulders. “It’s only that I recognize it, for I had it made for my own wedding. I kept changing my mind about gowns as a way to delay my wedding to the prince.” She smiles fondly and drapes the silk tulle around my shoulders. “You look perfect. It suits you.”
Briar turns me to face the mirror. With my red hair pinned up and studded with tiny jewels, I feel like a princess in a fairy tale. I want to ask whether she and Killian ever married, but I suppose it doesn’t matter. They are bound by more than laws—they have a daughter together. I’m not sure why I even care, apart from nosiness.
“I’m nervous.”
“Completely understandable,” Briar says sympathetically. “I found it terrifying to be the subject of so much scrutiny.”
“But you’re a princess.”
“I was raised as a farmer’s daughter.” She shrugs. “I wanted nothing to do with all the pageantry. I still don’t. I’m happy to be a hermit inside my castle on Thorn Mountain.”
“I’ve had enough of being a hermit.” I stroke the lace edging of my veil. “Isolation was never my choice.”
“You’ll make a lovely queen. Now, get going lest you miss the big event!”
She gestures to the passageway leading upstairs to the small chapel. I’m glad it won’t be held in the cathedral. I might be enjoying the novelty of public attention, but a little goes a long way.
I find Tremaine and my sisters huddled in the vestibule. My stepfather shoots me a cool glance. Any fragile sprout of hope for an apology withers on the vine.
Crestfallen, I stand alone, awaiting my turn to stride down the aisle. I stare blankly at that stretch of red carpet leading to a priest, whose monotonous tone invokes the lost blessings of the fae gods and begs for their return.
If only you knew the truth,I think to myself.Their return is nothing to be wished for.But I cannot tell anyone about that.
My reverie is interrupted by Briar’s arrival. Although we’ve just met, I’m honored that she’s willing to serve as my bridesmaid.
“You look upset,” she says softly.
“I’ll be all right.” I will be. All I have to do is get to the end of that red carpet and my world will be wholly different from anything I have ever known. Forever.
But I would like nothing more than to leave this pain behind me once and for all.
Tremaine taps me on the shoulder. “A word,” he says, gesturing for me to follow him. I retreat with him into a corner with my nerves jangling. “I want you to know how sorry I am for everything I did to you.”
I blink. Subtly, I sniff for any sign of drink, but his breath is fresh and his eyes clear. There is real contrition in his voice when he says, “I am glad you found a man who saw you for the gem you are, Elinor. I wish your parents could be here to see you. I know I have failed you as a stepfather, but I am so proud of you today.”
