Ryleigh knelt at the base of the Tree of Hope, its blackened remains daunting. She dug into the cool, damp dirt, then sifted it between her fingers. She’d already worked the soil halfway around the tree, and her back ached. She stretched to ease the kinks.
Turning the soil was the first step in returning Cymmera to its former grandeur.
Mia was certain the tree was not dead. With the proper care and nurturing, she swore the soil and the tree could be restored. Along with the rest of Cymmera.
Ryleigh sat back on her heels. Most of the black soot had already been scrubbed from the castle’s white stone walls. Sections of the dark green roof had already been repaired, though a few spires still remained damaged. Some would need to be completely rebuilt. That would be okay, though. They had plenty of time.
She returned to turning the soil, lacing it with healing light from her hands.
“Ryleigh?” Noah said.
She jumped. “Hey.”
He knelt facing her, his usually carefree expression serious. “Can I talk to you?”
“Sure. Is something wrong?” She brushed dirt from her hands.
“No. Everything is great.”
“Then why do you look so unhappy?” His suffering brought an ache she couldn’t ease.
A tentative smile began, but sadness remained in his eyes. “I’m leaving, Ryleigh.”
“What do you mean, leaving? Where are you going?”
He took her hands in his, dirt and all. “Allura and Payton have asked me to return to the Realm of the Fae with them. They’d like an ambassador from Cymmera, and they offered me the position. Payton trusts me.”
“But…” But what? There had to be some way to make him stay, even though it wouldn’t be fair to him. “I thought you were supposed to head the Queen’s Army.”
“No. That role belongs to Tristan. It’s something he is experienced in and qualified to do. He’ll lead your army well.” He squeezed her hands.
Ryleigh returned the grip, holding tight, as if he were a lifeline. In a way, maybe he was. A connection to her past, a link to a time she couldn’t return to. “I thought you were meant to be here.”
Noah looked around the courtyard. He stared up at the turrets and spires. Then his eyes fell closed. When he opened them, he returned his attention to Ryleigh. “I believe in destiny. I don’t know if I did before all of this happened, but I’ve come to believe since. I was meant to be here at one time. I played a role in saving Mia and Jackson. I like to think I played a role in saving Cymmera.”
“Of course you did.”
A soft smile lingered. “But now my fate lies in another direction. It’s time for me to follow my own path.”
A tear tipped over her lashes and dripped in a cold line down her cheek.
Noah caught it with a finger. “There’s nothing for me in Cymmera. Unless you want to give up Jackson.” He grinned, a genuine grin, a glimpse of the charming boy he’d been. “If so, just say the word, and I’ll refuse the position.”
She stared at their interlocked hands, tracing his fingers with her own. He knew she couldn’t do that. No matter how she felt about Noah, Jackson was still her…well, hers.
He released her hands and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I thought so.”
“I’ll miss you, Noah.” She brushed the tears away.
“I’ll miss you too.” He stood and held out a hand. “Come here.”
She stood and curled into his embrace.
“You’re my best friend. There will always be a place in my heart that belongs to you.” He set her back, wiped away his own tears, and smiled. “I will always love you, Ryleigh. And I will always be there if you need me.”
She nodded, unable to speak past the lump clogging her throat.
Noah tucked her hair behind her ear again, then gave it a tug, as he always had. Then he walked away.
A sob tore through her. Watching Noah walk away was like being ripped from her home all over again. The remnants of her childhood vanished with him as he rounded the side of the castle.
She fell to her knees at the base of the Tree of Hope and used her dirt-covered shirt to wipe away the tears. This was her destiny now. Rebuilding this kingdom, helping her people heal, guiding them toward a future of peace and prosperity, and she embraced it with all of her heart.
A strong hand fell on her shoulder, and she looked up at Jackson.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded. How could she explain her feelings for Noah, the connection they shared to the past, without hurting him?
Jackson stared at the corner Noah had just rounded. “He’s a good man. He’ll make a great ambassador.”
She smiled. Maybe she didn’t have to explain after all. “Yes. He will.”
“And Payton seems quite fond of him.”
She was okay with that now. Now that her suspicions about Payton had been explained, she suddenly realized she would be happy if Noah and Payton ended up together. “Yes. I think he’s got a thing for her too.”
“You’re okay with that?”
“Of course. I like Payton a lot.” That was another realization. She really did like the other woman. She’d become a friend.
Ryleigh stood and wrapped her arms around Jackson’s waist. She rested her cheek against his chest in the exact spot she fit so perfectly.
He hugged her, dropped a kiss on her head, and set her back. “Now that’s resolved, I have something important to ask you.”
* * * *
Jackson wiped some of the smeared dirt from Ryleigh’s face. He’d seen some of the exchange between her and Noah, but it hadn’t elicited any jealousy this time. In a way, it only made him sad. Not because he questioned Ryleigh’s loyalty or her feelings for him, but because Noah could give her something Jackson couldn’t. A connection to the past. The last shred of a bond between her and the world Jackson had ripped her out of. Well, maybe he could fix that.
“I’ve noticed you seem to have a hard time thinking of me as your mate.”
“Oh, no. It’s not that. I love being your…uh…mate.” She grinned through the last of the tears, her eyes puffy. “It’s just the word seems weird to me. Mate. I’m happy with the sentiment, though.”
Her laughter lightened his mood. “Well. I’ve been thinking. I took you from your world and plunged you into mine with no warning, no training, and no understanding of our realm. And you not only accepted everything, you embraced it.”
“Even though I miss my old home, I love Cymmera, and I want to be here. This is my home now.”
“I know.” He smoothed her hair away from her face. “You’re so beautiful, Ryleigh, and I love you so much. I know I don’t tell you often enough, but I’d do anything for you.”
She smiled, and a soft blush colored her cheeks.
He shook off his nerves. “As you know, Death Dealers train extensively in the human realm. Our training includes knowledge of all of your customs.”
“Yes.”
Jackson lowered himself to one knee and took Ryleigh’s hand in his. “I love you, Ryleigh Donnovan, with all of my heart. Will you marry me?”
He took the ring from his pocket, one that had belonged to his mother, and held it poised beside her left hand.
Tears poured down her cheeks. “Oh, yes.”
He slid the diamond ring onto her finger and stood.
Her laughter echoed through the courtyard.
He pulled her into his arms, and his lips crashed down on hers. His love for her nearly overwhelming him. He pulled away. “Come on. We have to hurry, or Mia will kill me.”
“Mia?”
He guided her toward the castle. “Yup. I promised her I’d have you to her in plenty of time.”
“Plenty of time for what?”
“To get ready for our wedding, of course.” He couldn’t help the grin. “You did say yes, right?”
“Uh…”
“Good thing too, or I don’t know what I’d have told the guests.”
“Guests?” She paled beneath the dirt streaking her face.
She brought him more joy than he’d ever thought possible. She completed him. Together they’d be strong. Together they’d rebuild. Under their rule, Cymmera would thrive. “You don’t think I’d let you have a wedding without guests, do you?”
“When are we getting married?”
“Now, of course. In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m not a patient man.”
“No, really?”
He slung his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close as they climbed the stairs to the tower that housed Ryleigh’s rooms.
“There you are.” Mia swung the door open, took one look at Ryleigh, and stepped back. “What did you do to her?”
“Hey, it wasn’t me. I found her like this, but I’m going to marry her, anyway.”
“Yeah, well not if I don’t fix her up, you’re not.” She grabbed Ryleigh’s arm and pulled her into the room.
Jackson tried to follow.
Mia spread a hand against his chest. “Uh-uh. Shoo.”
She propelled him back into the corridor and shut the door.
Fine. He had to get ready, anyway. He turned away.
Dakota stood a few feet down the corridor, arms folded across his chest, shoulder leaning against the wall. He smirked. “I guess we know who the boss is now, huh?”
“Apparently.”
“Come on. I have strict orders to get you dressed and ready.” Dakota fell into step beside him, and they jogged down the stairs.
“Is everything else done?”
“Yeah. Well, pretty much.”
“What do you mean, pretty much?”
“The puppies aren’t exactly cooperating with Mia’s plan, but she said she’d be right down to straighten it out, so I’m not going to worry about it.”
The puppies were the least of Jackson’s problems. The nerves turning his gut topped the list. It was so important to him to get this right for Ryleigh. He wanted it to be exactly like a human wedding.
He eyed Dakota’s jeans and T-shirt. “How come you’re not dressed?”
He shrugged. “Mia’s had me running around all morning. Besides, I wanted to talk to you first.”
“Come on in, but you have to talk while I get dressed.” Jackson pushed open the huge wooden door to his chamber and held it for Dakota, then entered behind him. He grabbed the tuxedo he’d gotten in the human realm from where it hung on one of the bookshelves beside the fireplace. A long package he’d never seen before lay across the table in front of the couch. He stopped short.
Dakota gestured toward the leather package. “Just a little something I wanted you to have.”
“You didn’t have to do that, Dakota.”
“I know, but it’s not exactly a gift.” He sobered. “I found it while we were cleaning up, and I thought you should have it.”
Jackson draped his tux over a chair, sat on the couch, and lifted the package. It was heavier than he’d expected. He laid it across his lap and unfolded the leather. Then he ran his fingers along the polished edge of Elijah’s sword. “Ah, man.”
“I found it in the throne room.”
Too choked up to speak, Jackson simply nodded. Nothing could have been more meaningful to him in that moment.
Dakota squeezed his shoulder and quietly retreated.
Jackson got dressed quickly. He took the sword and strode from the room. The throne room was empty when he entered. The doors had been replaced. The floors and walls had been scrubbed. Several cracks spider-webbed through some of the stones on the floor and walls, but Jackson had ordered those left alone. Sometimes it was better to remember the past, to remember what you’d been through to achieve your goals.
And sometimes it was better to leave the past where it belonged, in the past. He hurried up the platform steps, skirted his throne, and stood before the flail Chayce had used to torture him. He lifted it from its place on the wall behind his throne and dropped it onto the floor. He’d remove it later.
He hung Elijah’s sword in its place. A much better memory, a much better reminder of what was important. Elijah would forever be a part of his kingdom, would forever play a role. Cymmeran children would learn about the prophet in school. His memory would inspire future generations.
He made sure the sword hung perfectly straight in the place of honor behind his throne. Then he lifted his father’s crown from its place beside the throne and placed it on his head. Now he was ready. He headed to the field where his mother had sacrificed her life to save Cymmera. The perfect place for him and Ryleigh to say their vows.
The start of their union would honor all those who’d been lost in the battle for Cymmera.
His stomach flip-flopped as he jogged toward the field. The guests would already be present, waiting for him and Ryleigh.
Mia and Kiara had seen to everything. They’d even invited the faeries. He hoped they’d attend. It seemed their realms would complement each other well. Children didn’t thrive in Cymmera, and many of their women had long ago sacrificed Cymmera for a life in the human realm, leaving Cymmeran men with little hope.
It already seemed some of the men had found their mates among the faeries.
Two lands who’d been severely damaged, scarred by Daygan and then Chayce, would now come together and thrive.
Dakota waited at the entrance. “You ready?”
Jackson stopped in front of the closed gates. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves and nodded.
Dakota shoved the huge wooden gates open.
The most amazing sunset set the backdrop. The perfect time of day for a wedding.
Thousands of people stood as he walked down the aisle.
A flowered archway stood at the far end of the aisle. Hundreds of flowers spilled over from the archway in every color imaginable.
Jackson shot Dakota a questioning look.
He leaned close. “A gift from the faeries.”
Warmth spread through Jackson.
Behind the archway, all of the dragons stood, regal. The setting sun reflected off their scales creating a dazzling array of color.
Nika and Nahara stood proudly in the center of the dragons.
Mato tried to scamper away, and Nahara caught him in her mouth by the scruff of his neck and plopped him back down in front of her with the other pups.
Most of the Death Dealers and the Queen’s Army formed a half-circle in front of the hounds and dragons. They stood at attention in full uniform.
Noah winked and shot him a grin.
Jackson couldn’t help but smile.
What seemed like all the faeries had seats of honor near the front.
Allura’s eyes sparkled with happiness.
Jackson approached her, gripped both her hands in his, and kissed each cheek. “Thank you so much. The flowers are beautiful. I’m so honored you came.”
She released him and laid a delicate hand against his cheek. “I’m honored to be here.”
It seemed most of Cymmera and Argonas had come out for their wedding.
Jackson stood beneath the archway and turned to wait for his bride.
The music started, and all eyes turned toward the back of the aisle.
Vaughn and Payton led the procession, followed by Ranger and Tatiana, Lucas—who Jackson had given a full pardon—and Kiara, Hannah and Harrison, and Sadie and Trey.
Mia smiled as she walked down the aisle behind the kids, her gold gown shimmering in the waning sun.
Dakota sucked in a breath at Jackson’s side.
Jackson grinned.
Ryleigh rounded the corner and took her place between the gates with Max at her right hip. The white gown hugged every curve, then flowed out behind her in a long train.
As the traditional wedding march played, she moved slowly down the aisle toward him. Her smile melted his heart.
When she reached Jackson, she stopped and faced him.
Jackson lifted her veil, cradled her cheek, and kissed her. No way was he waiting for the end of the ceremony. Nothing wrong with creating some traditions of their own.
THE END