Page 41 of Maleen

The newcomer’s grin widens into glee as he removes his teal beanie, revealing two small horns within the curls of his hair. “I’m Komos Oakheart, Your Majesty. I’m the son of Timus Oakheart. He runs the strawberry farm not far from here… perhaps you remember him? I was just on my way there when the barrier fell! Oh, Fates! The city is going to be overjoyed! You must come! I would be honoured to guide you and your companion home!”

I can’t help but smile at his excitement, but before I can respond, Killian does it for me. “I’m her mate. Not her companion. And I’m sure her other mates and Guard would wish to join us.”

My brows hit my hairline as I stare up at him. Did he just announce us as mates? I wasn’t sure if that was something he wanted to keep to himself while we slowly work on things, but I’m all for the claiming.

I knock on his mental walls and he instantly lets me in to give my message. “I’m going to get Nero to wake the others and bring them to us.”

“Good. I don’t want the satyr out of my sight, and I’d rather keep him away from camp. Have Nero tell Aemon to inform the Guard, and have the rest of camp start packing up. Let’s get you home, Little Warrior.”

A grin takes over my face as I reach out to Nero. “Wake the others. I got the barrier down.” I quickly pass on Killian’s message as well, and Nero’s excitement wakes Vasari.

Her celebratory roar echoes reaching our ears, and the satyr—Komos—crouches in fear, scanning the skies for where the noise came from.

“She won’t hurt you,” I tell him. “Have you all been here this whole time?” I ask, trying to distract him from thinking he’s breakfast.

His chestnut-brown eyes dart to me as he nods slowly, straightening his posture. “Yes. The elders explained what happened, but a lot of us were starting to lose hope. That you’d come back, I mean. We had no way to reach the outside realm for news, but we kept the city safe and rebuilt the damaged structures so they were ready for your return… if you returned. Which you did!”

Killian stays silent at my side while we wait and listen to the stories he has of living behind the barrier. The remaining citizens of Maleen survived on crops and farms located outside the city but still within the barrier. By the looks of it, they’ve thrived, and now I fear that taking down the barrier has brought war to their doors.

Aemon appears under the cropping of trees to my left, using the shadows to his advantage, and Talyn and Jesper come running down the hill behind us with a few of my Royal Guard following. Nero flies above them all and aims straight for my shoulder, perching there like he owns it—and let’s face it, he does.

Komos’s eyes widen as he takes in all the new faces.

“Beastie! You did it!” Jesper sings as he picks me up and swings me around. “You must tell me how you did it. Oh, you’re bleeding. I didn’t know you were into that kind of stuff, Killian—”

Talyn cuffs the back of his head. “Not the time, Jesp.”

I smile and turn back to the satyr who’s looking more nervous with every new arrival. “Alright Komos. Take me home.”

VASARI AND OUR dragons are waiting for us to reach the inner city before making their appearance. We don’t want to frighten anyone before they know what to expect, and six dragons flying in would definitely make half of these sheltered fae faint just from shock. Plus I want to make sure the Dragon Keep we have here is up to standards. As we were walking, Komos explained they’ve repaired the damage but… This just seems so surreal.

Ember, Roz and Lennox have joined our trek up into the city after I convinced Aemon to go grab them. I want to share this with them, too. I may have left here almost alone, fleeing for my life as a fledgling, but now I’m returning with everyone I love. Well, almost everyone.

My throat begins to clog with emotion. My mother and Mel should be here. My fathers should be greeting us in the royal halls. It’s bittersweet, and I’m feeling overwhelmed by all the intense emotions and memories.

Word has spread fast. The first buildings come fully into sight and I can already see fae, brownies, satyrs and other beings of the realms lining the streets. A welcoming home fit for a Queen. But right now all I feel like is an imposter. It’s been so long, and the last time I walked these streets was as Princess Maeven Pendroko. Not as Ravina, the Null from Shalo who fought tooth and talon to survive. How am I supposed to find a balance? Can I? Will they even want me? I should get Aemon and some trusted guards to bring my mother home here once it’s secure. Would she even want that?

“Breathe,” Talyn whispers. “I can practically hear your thoughts. Just relax your shoulders and smile. You’re home, enjoy it. We can figure everything else out later.”

Jesper and Aemon push calming and steady emotions down the bond, and Nero nuzzles my cheek and I find myself relaxing.

As we get closer to the citizens of Maleen, I can’t help the pressure of emotion that builds in my chest and clogs my throat as fae of all species, color and gender lower themselves to their knees, whispering in awe at the sight of us.

“The princess, she came home”

“Are those the lords’ sons?”

“She’s back, mother, does that mean the war is over?”

Tears stream down their faces and soon shouts of joy and celebration chorus through the streets the further we walk down the cobbled path leading to the gates of the castle—to the heart of Maleen. Its towering height is even larger than I remember. The white-peaked spires reach towards the clouds and ornamental stained glass of every color fills each window and sparkles in the morning sun. Home.

Dread grows inside me the more excited and amazed faces I see, until it takes over everything else I’m feeling. There are children here, elderly, people preparing food or wrapped in blankets, people simply living their lives. We need to keep everyone here safe. It won’t be long before word reaches the lords that the barrier is down and Craven tries to finish what he started all those years ago. We have so much to do, and as much as I want to take Talyn’s advice and just enjoy being home for a moment, we need to prepare for an attack. I’m sure my mates are already planning, wanting to take the brunt of the weight off my shoulders, but I can’t just sit idly by, smelling all the gorgeous flowers that now line the street from the earth magick being cast as my citizens welcome me back.

Jesper sneezes. Then sneezes again. “Not the flowers,” he whines as numerous sneezes hurtle out of him.

By the time we make it to the gates of the castle, his eyes are ringed red and his nose is running.

“Why don’t you go find the healers and get a tonic?” I murmur as the golden gates creak open.