It’s true that even when I was human, I dreamed of having the power to save the weak and unfortunate from the powerful and exploitive. But that dream was always a distant second to keeping my sister safe.
The moment I set eyes on Jas, I’m reminded why it was so easy to risk everything for her. She represents everything good in the world. Everything worth fighting for.
“Abriella,” she says, rushing into my arms.
“You’re okay.” I wrap her up in my grasp, holding her as if she might disappear.
She hugs me tightly and I hug her back.
“I have so much I need to tell you,” I say softly. “So much to explain.”
“It’s okay,” she says, but she smiles as she tugs on one of my short curls. “You know how much I love a good story.”
“Soon,” I promise.
“The Throne of Shadows waits for you, Abriella,” Pretha says. “It’s where you belong.”
I draw in a ragged breath and step toward the throne, putting one foot in front of the other. This is how I’ve always done hard things—taking the next step, doing the next right thing.
Lark rushes out in front of me, her dark, silky hair bouncing as she spins to face me. “Wait!”
The whole room seems to hold its breath as we wait to hear what the little seer has to say.
“What is it?” I ask.
“I told you,” she says. “Didn’t I tell you?”
I laugh, and tears spill down my cheeks as I nod. “You did. You told me.” I take another step and find myself at the dais. The spot where I killed Mordeus.
I hesitate, and then Finn’s there, offering me his hand to help me onto the dais. Always helping me, always lending me his strength.
“Come on, Princess,” he whispers in my ear. “Make me call you something else.”
I turn and sit on the Throne of Shadows for the second time. The moment my back hits the stone, my power purrs in approval. This is a throne of the night, of the misfits and the lost. This is the throne for all those who had to endure the darkness to find the stars. This is my throne, and it’s been waiting for me.
Finn stands by my side—the king I choose, the partner I was given and whom I fought for. The match my heart needs. We’ve been given a second chance, thanks to Sebastian’s sacrifice. And as I take Finn’s hand, more power flows through me than I can even describe. Power of the night, power of the shadows, power of every shining star. It’s too intense to label, but it feels a lot like hope.
Celebration erupts in the palace, and in the capital, and then in the court. Everyone feels it—the energy in the air, the electric click of power restored to a court that hasn’t had someone on the throne in more than two decades.
The golden court probably has no idea that their queen is dead and surely has no idea that their future king is a mortal with an alliance with the Unseelie Court. We can’t make centuries of hatred and prejudice go away overnight. I probably can’t even make them go away in my very long lifetime. But that will be tomorrow’s problem. Tonight, Sebastian gathers his allies in the Court of the Sun, and in the Court of the Moon we celebrate saving this kingdom and a future of peace.
Finn presses a kiss to my shoulder. “How’s my queen?” he asks.
I reach back and find his hand, squeezing it in mine. “Still reeling,” I say, not bothering to sugarcoat the truth. Not for him. “But I’m okay. We’re going to be okay.”
He wraps his arms around me, pulling my back flush against the front of him. “I’m so proud of you. And I’m so proud to serve you.”
I spin in his arms and look up into his eyes. “Serve me?”
“Of course. I’m your tethered servant. That is literally what I was born to do.”
“Because the power only moves one way, right?” I ask, brow arched. “But if we were bonded . .
.”
He strokes my cheek. “I’m not asking anything of you. You were just freed from a bond you didn’t want. I don’t need anything more than I have right this minute.”
“Finn, you have given me strength from the moment I met you. As my friend, as my mentor, and as my tethered match. Someday soon, I’ll want this to go both ways. I want you to pull strength from me too. Just like I pull strength from you.”
He leans his forehead against mine. “If that is what my queen wants,” he says, a little breathless, “then it would be my absolute honor, but there’s no need to rush anything.”