A Court of Heritance and Destiny

400 years later

The last three months had been hard on everyone, just like the last few decades. Amaya stood at the top of the stairs, taking in the mosaic of paintings her mother had done over her lifetime. A never ending night sky with moments from the most important times in their lives. The last one that had been made hung near the top, the tree stars over Ramriel. A crown over the sacred mountain, just like the one she soon would be wearing.

Further down the stairs the portraits started.

Etera and Ikarad together with their daughter River. Her niece had her mothers eyes and parts of her powers. Allowing her to shift parts of her features, making her just as perfect as a spy as her mother. Etera and Ikarad had found a new house just before River was born, one that allowed them to have some privacy when not in duty. Etera had taken over as Spymaster and Ikarad the General. It was the only right thing to do. And River had become a close friend and a good spy. One who could handle the most complex situations with ease. Someone who Amaya had spent so many nights with, laughing over a glass of wine as they talked about things so far from their work.

Then it was Nesta and Cassian, with their three children. Rick, the oldest son, while he had the Illyrian wings, he was no Illyrian. Amaya smiled, knowing that he had a concert in a few days. An amazing singer, where he got that from was unknown, but the most important part was that he had been allowed to do what he wanted. Something Ikarad had been most vocal about. He had males and females falling at his feet, but no one had caught his eye, yet. Her cousin would have his chance one day, she knew it.

After Rick it was the twins, Vasa and Glinda. Vasa was an Illyrian through and through, deadly and powerful, walking in her parents footsteps. Glinda had no wings, but had also followed the Illyrian and valkyrie training. Both of them now worked with Ikarad as his right and left hand. A leadership she knew that she could trust if battle found its way back to these lands.

In the portrait Nesta and Cassian stood behind their children, smiling. A smile she now missed. Cassian had been the first one to fade. Years of injuries had taken its toll on him. It had been hard on everyone, but especially Nesta, who had followed just a few years later. It had been the start of the last decades of darkness. Amaya took a deep breath and looked over to the nest portrait.

Mor and Emerie. The two had lived a quiet life, training, exploring the world. Served as emissars and ambassadors. They had not faded, no, something else had made them end their own lives together. Maybe it was the fear of one being left behind. The bond between them had never been like the others. After Cassian and Nesta it had been their turn. Some had now been surprised when they found them dead in their bed, side by side, hand in hand. But it did not hurt any less.

Amaya swallowed and moved her eyes to the next painting. Azriel and Gwyn.

The Shadowsinger and Spymaster had held on to life until the very end, when his immortal blood faded to nothing and his body almost turned human. His shadows left him, looking for a new one to help and guide. His wings had failed him, keeping him grounded in those last years. But he didn't stop fighting. His love and dedication to the court kept him going. It had been painful to witness, for all of them. To see death move so slowly. And that final day, it had been Gwyns blessing that made him move on.

"You have done enough, you can rest now. We will be alright. I will be alright." She had said as the mighty warrior left them. Gwyn stayed alive, she had returned to the Order now as one of the High Priestess, even after so long, she found her strengths in the order, in the prayers and her faith.

That had been twenty years ago. And with that the slow decline of her own parents had started.

Her mother might have lived five hundred years more if she wanted to, but to live without one's mate was hard. As Nesta had been a testament to. They didn't fight it like Azriel, or caused it like Mor and Emerie. No, they embraced it, allowing everyone to have time to adapt. Amaya had been next to them as the last breath escaped their lips, and the magic shifted.

The burden placed on her was heavier than she had expected, like a heavy cape pulling her down. But she stood tall, holding it high as she embraced the title. High Lady, born not Made. Her magic had changed too, among her sand, strands of night now floated. A power many times easier for her to master than her sand.

With a slight shiver she looked to the next painting. Nyx and Nico, her trusted advisors and treasure. Nicos skills with numbers had truly helped her keep the courts finances in check. Not that it was at any risk of failing. But numbers had never been her strong side. And Nyx helped her with the deals she could not attend on her own. Her brother and his mate were truly her closest friends. And she was thankful to have them. Same with Ikarad and Etera. She was not alone, she had her family.

Then it was the final face painted. Orion...

He lived in Hewn, rarely coming to Velaris if not invited. He was their dungeon master. The one who helped Etera to extract information her own spying could not reach. She could not call what they had a friendship anymore, it was a cold professional relationship between the two. Nothing more, nothing less. Amaya had toyed with the idea of what could have happened if the two stayed together. But no matter how she tried it always ended the same. She had trusted him to be her first, not her last. He had had some lovers, just like her.

With heavy steps she walked down the stairs, ready to head out for the moment they had pushed forward for three months. An official coronation.

Velaris was filled with decorations, almost all of the Night Court was invited to the City of Starlight. Amaya walked alone down the streets, hearing the praises from her people. A few strategic outside guests were also there.

The temple was ready for her, and she bowed before the altar. Gwyn stood there, as the one who would lead the ceremony. Amaya didn't hear the words as Gwyn spoke. She didn't notice the cries of sorrow as Gwyn mentioned her parents' names. All she felt was the heavy crown that was placed on her head.

"You may now rise." Gwyn told her and Amaya did just that. Looking out over her people. Her sand mixed with her fathers night swirled around her. "High Lady Amaya of the Night Court!" Gwyn called out.

Over them in the temple's roof, stars were painted. Stars depicting the first night in the Court's history. Stars that would guide her for all of her rule. 

____

First High Lady Born not Made. 

Amaya was a character that I strugeld with alot in writing. She never really did what I wanted her to do, and I am the one writing her. 

But she ended up where she needed to be, in the end. 

Yes, once again I killed Azriel, but this time if was less painfull then what I did in my short stories. (if you havent read them, it is called A court of Shorts and Stories, and contains alot of difrent types of headcanon moments) 

So, here we are, at the final end. I do hope that you have liked this book, and thank you for reading this far. Thank you for alowing me to share this story with you!

Vote and Comment! 

/Mymymoon