With my emotions firmly locked, I opened my eyes again, unfolding the parchment.
“By the time you find this letter, we will be gone, and for that, I am truly sorry. Nevertheless, this means Braxton is already back in Caelisium, helping you fight, and you have found the accord behind Khayden’s portrait, which prompted you to search the back of ours.
Sunshine, please believe that your mother and I wish things could have been different. We fought with everything we had in us to stay by your side. To see you grow into the amazing woman, and the kind, selfless ruler we know you will be.
Being a parent changes you forever. We love you more than we could have ever imagined possible, so we need you to know, without a shadow of a doubt, that even though we are gone, we did not leave you willingly. But we willingly gave our lives for yours.”
Just like the last time, I was forced to stop as the emotions fought to rise to the surface. I wasn’t a mother yet, but I understood what he meant. I loved Braxton more than anything, and if we had kids, when we had kids, I knew I would give my life to save theirs without hesitation. As would he.
The love my parents felt for me was always present. I never wondered; I never felt alone, even when they had to leave my side to go into battle, and the reminder of their sacrifice cut through me. Forcing a calming breath through my being, I slowly sat on the bed, my gaze sweeping each line.
“Our life was never easy, Sunshine, but we would not change a single thing because everything your mother and I went through brought us to you. Since the moment you were born on Luna’s back, in the middle of escaping the Warlock King, I knew that one day you would be a great queen.
It took only one look into your sky-blue eyes filled with purpose and hope, humbleness and strength, to know that you would carry our legacy with honor, no matter how heavy it might become. You have the best of us in you, and that is the most amazing accomplishment we could have ever hoped to achieve. We need you to know that, Evie.”
My eyes burned with his words, stirring the pain I kept hidden. The one I had forced down into the recesses of my being for years snuck up to the surface then. Clenching my jaw fiercely, I swallowed and continued to read.
“At first, we fought for the dream of you, and then we fought for you. To leave you a world where you could be happy and free. Where you could become whoever you wanted to become. Unfortunately, we were not able to accomplish that during our time, and so, the responsibility to accomplish that dream for yourself and everyone else was placed onto your shoulders.
We know you will be an incredible queen. You have dedicated your life to our people since you were a child. No one ever had to ask. No one had to tell you that one day this would all be on you or convince you to learn what we learned. You did it all on your own because that is who you are. You have always been a queen, and I’m certain our people love you as much as we have. If they have eyes to see, they know there is nothing you wouldn’t risk for them. I know that, like we did, there is nothing you would not give to protect them… even your own life.”
“I will do it, Father,” I vowed in a whisper, feeling the steel of my walls begin to crack. Its sound reverberated through my being as a tear escaped my eyes, searing my skin while it slid down my cheeks. “I will give everything for them, for your kingdom, no matter the cost… I will give anything to finish what you started, even my life.”
The words were cut off by a small sob, and my entire body tensed, trying to reign in the storm. My eyes shut tightly, muscles trembled along my jaw, my stomach, and arms, trying to contain the emotions that threatened to undo me. I needed to lock them down again. This was not the time to fall apart. My people needed me, Braxton needed me, and I had to remain strong for them.
A queen had no time for tears.
A queen had no room for weakness.
New determination swept over me with the vow because I was my parents’ daughter. The queen and king who led the Uprising and our people out of the Hollow to a new life they never imagined possible needed more from me still. Our battle wasn’t over, so I had to hold on. Just a few weeks, a few more months, then I could break apart. Then I could crumble and let every repressed loss and hurt take over me.
Better yet, perhaps by then I would live in a world where I no longer had need for tears to be shed.
Perhaps we would finally be free, happy.
Opening my eyes, I searched for the last line I had read and let out a slow, controlled sigh to help me compose myself for what was to come.
“Evie, I want you to know that your mother and I are extremely proud of you for carrying on with our legacy. We love you as our caring daughter, as the strong and selfless woman that we are certain you became and the benevolent queen we know you will be. The Queen of the People.
I believe with my entire being that Caelisium can be saved, but it took great death for the Warlock King’s empire to rise, and something tells me it will take great death for it to finally fall.
You were born for this, Evie. You are smart, courageous, and strong. Our legion will follow you blindly. Freeing Caelisium is your destiny—”
“My prince, Princess, may I come in?” Imogen’s voice startled me, and I rushed to fold the letter, hiding it under my pillow.
Wiping my cheeks and taking a settling breath, I closed myself once more and stood tall, holding both hands before me. “Come in…”
“I’m terribly sorry, Princess Evanna,” Brax’s mentor offered the moment she entered. “I know it is late, but I—” Her brow furrowed when she found me alone. “Where is Braxton?”
“He went to talk to Kingston and hasn’t returned yet.”
Her confused expression changed to kind appreciation. “I heard, but I thought he was back already.”
“Oh. If he’s already left Kingston’s quarters, then he might have gone to spend time with the Dragons in their lairs. He likes doing that at night, it strengthens their connection,” I explained, sitting on the bed again. “What do you mean, you heard?”
“Well, their conversation was intense, though I’m not privy to the details.”
Hmm. I’d have to ask my mate what happened when he returned. “Is there anything I can help you with in his stead?”
She offered a small shrug. “I just wanted to talk to him about tomorrow—”
“What about the jubilee?” Braxton interrupted, entering the room at that precise moment.
“There you are.” A small smile curved her lips. “I wanted to know if you talked to Tharion and the other Dragons about it. I know you don’t like thinking of your ability as being able to command them, but that is exactly what our people need to see.”
“I talked to them. They’ll play along,” Brax assured, seeming amused by it.
“You want Brax to show everyone that he can control them?” I asked, glancing up at my mate the instant he sat beside me, placing a kiss on the edge of my jaw that sent tingles all over my body.
“Of course, darling. The whole point of this is to display that he can lead them into battle, and they’ll fight for us. That they’ll protect our people. He needs to show them his power, at least the one he can actually show them.” With a new shrug, her gaze focused on him. “Just make it animated and exciting for our people. Give them a show. A little embellishment never hurt anybody.”