Queen of Light (The Light-Bringer Trilogy, #3)

Thirty

Cal dreaded this day. The day where she would have to say goodbye to her friends.

The Eirineftens left before dawn without a word. They took their dead with them, wanting to have them buried in tombs.

In a lavender dress, Cal accompanied the Apparatori, Lance, and Luna to to the harbour. An attendant wheeled King Andrei in his chair. Lance and Luna were arm in arm, Lucas walking beside his best friend with his hands in his pockets.

Andrei looked up at Cal and Matias. "I'm happy to see that you're back to yourself, King Matias. Demonic possession doesn't look good on you."

Matias chuckled. "Please, call me Matias."

Andrei turned to Cal. "There's something different about you, Calista. I can't put my finger on it. I also want to give the both of you my condolences on your losses."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Recent events have dictated that changes need to be made," she said smoothly.

Andrei smiled. "I can't wait to see what your reign will bring."

The attendant wheeled Andrei away and up the gangplank. The Apparatori ship pulled out of the harbour and sailed away. The rest of them made their way across the docks to where Lance and Luna's ship waited.

Cal pointed at the ship sporting the royal blue, white, and silver Speian flag. "That's your ship."

Luna turned to look back at them. Her hair was in two long braids, and she wore a white tunic with dark blue stitching, midnight blue pants and dark grey boots. It still shocked Cal to see the dramatic change in Luna. The cold, calculating girl was gone and replaced with a loving, kind-hearted young woman. Cal could see how she stole Lance's heart.

Cousin.

They had both gone over portraits and records of Ashlynn Pyro and Melania Andhera, and concluded that they were one and the same. Further records and journals from several people-namely Miles-revealed the true extent of Ashlynn's crimes. In the end, neither Cal nor Luna wanted the Queen of Darkness's ashes and they settled for having them dumped a several days' journey off the eastern coast of Spei.

"Thank you, Cal," said Luna. "For giving me a second chance."

"Don't thank me," Cal replied. "Thank Lance. He constantly petitioned to have me spare you from death."

She looked up at the scout. "Thank you, Lance."

Lance smiled down at his beloved. "You are more than welcome."

"Do you have to go?" asked Lucas.

Lance looked at his former scout partner. "We're going to see each other again, Lucas. You're strong. You will be okay."

Matias eyed the ship. "You lovebirds should probably get going. You'll miss your ship if you don't."

Lance looked at every single one of them. "We'll see you at the wedding."

They turned and walked down the dock to their ship.

"Lance!" Lucas shouted, running after them.

Lance stopped and turned around. His eyes widened when Lucas seized his lapels and crushed his mouth and Lance's. Lucas pulled back and released his friend. Lance was wide-eyed. He said something before he turned and walked up the gangplank with Luna.

They stood and watched as Lance and Luna's ship left, taking them with it.

-

The trek back to the castle was both awkward and somber. Lucas didn't utter a word until they were inside the courtyard.

"So I guess that this is goodbye," Lucas said quietly, a silver urn in hand.

Cal shook her head. "Not goodbye. Until we meet again."

Lucas smirked. "Until we meet again."

The siblings hugged goodbye. Cal held the urn with their father's ashes as Lucas mounted his horse. She handed him the urn and he rode off with the rest of the Krigereans.

Matias held Cal close as they watched the last of their allies ride the long way home.