Queen of Night

Epilogue

Clad from head to toe in midnight blue and silver, they were the epitome of Night Faerie royalty. Iyan held Arius' hand tightly as they knelt before Zephyr. The crowd gathered behind them was utterly silent. From the corner of her eye, Iyan could see Vi squirming in her seat. Royse gave her a stern look and she fell still.

Arius finished his vows and Zephyr seated a crown atop his head. Arius remained kneeling as Zephyr faced her. "Iyan Vesper. Halfblood Faerie. Wife of King Arius. Daughter of Julius and Leila Vesper. Guardian of the People."

Her titles weren't quite as regal as Arius'. All the same, she loved the sound of them. They were perfect.  A humorous thought surfaced in her mind before she could catch herself. He forgot to call Arius an arrogant Faerie bastard and His Royal Brattiness. Iyan smothered her laugh and smiled instead. Zephyr continues speaking, but Arius' voice droned him out.

Should I ask him to call you a naive little human? She glanced at him in time to see his smirk.

I'm not a human anymore.

The sentiment remains.

Iyan bit back another laugh and quickly schooled her features. "Do you swear to uphold the laws set forth by Kings and Queens of old, and amend the laws should the need arise?" Zephyr asked.

"I swear."

"Do you swear to govern your people with wisdom and justice, and do all within your power to protect them?"

"I swear."

"Do you swear to use your power and rights as Queen only for their benefit, never for your personal gain?"

"I swear." She glanced up and Zephyr's eyes twinkled mischievously.

He lowered his voice to a whisper. "Do you swear to pester, annoy, and otherwise inconvenience your husband as you see fit?"

Iyan snorted and her shoulders shook with her bottled up laughter. "I swear."

"I swear to do the same to my wife," Arius snickered.

Zephyr cleared his throat and lifted a second crown. He held it over Iyan's head. "Then, it is my honor to crown you, Iyan Vesper, Queen of Night. Long may you reign." He seated the crown atop her auburn curls.

Iyan and Arius rose and faced their people as cheers erupted throughout the room. They started down the aisle, smiling and waving as they walked. They walked past a reserved aisle. Tears gleamed in Asena's eyes. Esen was hollering incoherently. Gabriel was merely shaking his head at her. Lucille, Royse, and Vi waved.

Iyan laughed and they turned down a hallway. Arius pulled her into a small room with a grin. "You swear to inconvenience me, do you?"

"I do."

"We already took those vows." He tweaked her nose and kissed her. When he drew back, he cast an appraising look over her. "The last person to wear that crown was my mother. She'd be proud to see you wearing it now."

"Your father would be proud to see you wearing his." Iyan lifted a hand to his cheek.

Arius leaned into her touch, closing his eyes briefly. "I couldn't do this alone. I am glad I found you, after so many years."

"I'm glad you found me too." Iyan laughed after a moment. "But let's make sure that our children know it's unacceptable to trick a human into becoming trapped in the Faerie lands just to woo them."

"So you admit that I wooed you?"

"Arrogant Faerie bastard."

"Snarky Faerie queen."

"A new nickname?"

"Maybe." Arius inched towards the door. "I suppose we should go. Our people will be expecting us to attend a party that's being thrown in our honor."

"It would be a shame if I inconveniently made us late."

He arched an eyebrow. "What did you have in mind?"

✦❘༻✦༺❘✦

Moonlight gleamed off their wings as the King and Queen of Night soared across their kingdom. They landed in a clearing that no longer appeared threatening. The Vetiti was filled with snow, warding off any lingering gloom.

Arius pulled Iyan close and they began to dance. She rested her head against his chest, closing her eyes. I didn't run, Tenebris. Thank you for giving me a second chance.

A howl split through the forest. It was the only answer she received and the only one she needed. Iyan smiled and continued to dance with her King. Arius brushed a kiss across her hair. Whatever came next, they would face together. She was not afraid.