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Yes, it was a sacrifice, but she would do it so Rosalina could return to a prosperous land and find love with those who deserved her.
Anya—no, Aurelia—clutched the roses tighter. A scream tore from her throat. The door slammed open, and four fae entered. Her magic had called them.
“This is your last chance to leave without a fight.” The High Prince of Spring turned his back to her, rage turning to arrogance, and drew his sword.
The Summer Prince stumbled in, caught himself on the wall, and laughed. “Did you climb through the fucking window or something?”
“This is a delicate room.” The Autumn Prince scampered inside, trying to right the Summer Prince, and cast a desperate look at Aurelia. “Perhaps we could discuss somewhere else.”
The Sworn Protector of the Realms entered last. He didn’t even bring his sword. He pointed a finger. “I told you to leave.”
All their magic surged toward Aurelia, but their power was her power. A great light burst forth from her skin. Her robes fluttered, then dissipated into beams of radiance until she gleamed like a star.
The pitiful princes shied back. She knew they felt the shocks of her power and understood they were no match. The four red roses, slick with her blood, floated away from her before hovering before each of the princes…and the roses she had brought from the Gardens of Ithilias. One pink, one turquoise, one orange, and one sapphire. Drops of cursed blood dripped into the soil.
“The universe is cyclical,” Aurelia said. “Day gives way to night and back again. Spring to summer, summer to autumn, autumn to winter, and winter to spring. Those who die go back into the cosmos, their spirits remade into the grass and the animals and the fae reborn.”
The princes tried to move, but her power held them still.
“And as the universe is cyclical, so is the rule and magic of the realms,” Aurelia continued. “Destiny has passed this rule to the four of you. And you have squandered the responsibility.”
The queen felt disgust at seeing the four beams of light radiating from their chests. If she were capable of breaking a mate bond, she might just do it.
“In your current states, you are all undeserving of the great destiny that awaits you,” Aurelia boomed, her dress fluttering out around her. “This providence shall not be disregarded in the way you have all failed your realms and your people.”
In that moment, she wondered if they understood. Screams and cries echoed in her mind—not just these men but the children they once were. And older voices joined too, the men they might become. Past, present, and future all crying: Please, offer us forgiveness!
“You must earn your repentance.”
Aurelia turned to the Spring Prince, Ezryn.
“Here stands the vigilante, who seeks vengeance instead of redemption. Who drowns his sorrows in blood and bone instead of facing what lies beneath. Here stands a beast who will let his realm go to rot as long as his sword is wet with blood.”
One cannot rule a realm by oneself. Vengeance is not the path to victory. He must learn to forgive himself and others to be free. Blood from her cursed rose fell over the Spring pink rose.
Ezryn collapsed to the floor, clawing at his skin.
“Here stands the fool,” Aurelia said as she turned to the Summer Prince, Dayton, “who escapes within the flesh for fear of his fate. Who squanders his time and talent. Here stands a beast who will let his realm go to rot as long as his mind is muddled enough not to comprehend.”
Guilt tricks him into believing he’s not worthy; he thinks himself a burden on others. He must embrace his power and accept love to become free.
The Summer Prince arched his back, face twisted.
Next, Aurelia turned to the youngest. “And here stands the coward, who pretends passiveness is pacifism. Who hides behind investigation instead of admitting indecisiveness. Here stands a beast who will let his realm go to rot as long as his curtains are drawn so he need not see it.”
His fear drives thought and reason from his brilliant mind. He must learn to accept that with life, there will always be loss and that he cannot control all the fates, and then he will be free.
The boy collapsed to the ground, curling in on himself.
The Winter Prince fell to his knees without Aurelia’s magic forcing him there. “Please,” he said. “It was I who sent you away. Curse me all you want, but do not punish them. They have done nothing wrong. Take my life if you will.”
Aurelia quirked her head. Perhaps there was a touch of goodness deep inside.
But it was not enough to save him.
“Here stands the Sworn Protector of the Realms, the traitor who betrayed his people for love.” Aurelia’s voice was low and heartbroken. Caspian’s pained face formed in her mind. What if this man hurt her daughter in the same way? “The one who sought glory and passion. Here stands a beast who will let the entire Vale go to rot for the sake of his own selfish heart.”
This man would stand upon the ashes of the realms if it kept his heart safe. He must learn to spread his love and honor his power to protect all if he is to be free.
