The queen of Bela sat alone on the edge of the white cliffs. She let her legs drop over the side as she peered down into the calm waters below. It was a rare day that didn’t see the churning ocean thrashing against the rocky face.
There hadn’t been a day of such importance since the time of Aurora and Phillip.
She held her hand at her side, palm down, pulling the grasses from the earth with her magic. It was all she could do now. She created flowers and helped with the clearing of land for new building projects.
When she wasn’t ruling her people.
Two years had passed since the day her people were freed from the threat of La Dame. They’d been an uneventful two years, and that was okay with Etta.
Bela made progress. They’d lost a lot in the battle. Many of her people didn’t make it home, but she was glad for what they had left.
Behind her stood the royal residence, built right next to the ruins of the old Belaen seat of power. It wasn’t some grand palace like the one before it. Instead, it consisted only of a small throne room and living space the size of a large cottage. It wasn’t opulent, but it was home.
A presence appeared behind her and she knew who it was before he even spoke.
“You know I don’t like when you get so close to the cliffs.” Alex sighed indulgently.
The traitor who called himself Edmund had been filling Alex’s ears with stories of Etta on these same cliffs.
“I told you before,” she said, her eyes continuing to sweep the horizon. “I was only testing my magic.”
“And Edmund had to save you.”
She shrugged. “Payback for all the times I’ve saved his ass.”
He laughed. “Well, your Majesty, I’ve come to tell you our first wave of guests have arrived.”
She scooted away from the edge and stood. “Thank you, your Majesty.” She grinned up at him and stole a quick kiss.
They’d combined a wedding with a coronation for Alex. He hadn’t enjoyed ruling Gaule alone, and she didn’t like the idea of doing the same with Bela. Plus, Alexandre Durand was meant to have a crown on his head.
He held out her crown. “You need it to greet them.”
She took it and set the golden circlet on top of her short blonde hair. She’d been pleased to find it easy to cut once the power had left her. She’d wanted a fresh start, separated from the deeds of her ancestors.
She hooked her arm through Alex’s and allowed him to lead her toward their home.
Horses had been left outside and stable lads hurried to lead them to the stables.
Inside were faces so familiar they made her heart stop. She ran forward to greet the delegation from Gaule.
Catrine’s wide smile greeted her. “Etta.” When Etta reached her, she pulled her into her arms. “It’s wonderful to see you, your Majesty.”
“And you, your Majesty,” Etta said, pulling back.
Alex greeted his mother and those who’d accompanied her. Simon was with her as well as Duchess Moreau, Duke Caron, Camille, and a few others.
When Tyson and Amalie appeared to greet Catrine, pandemonium ensued.
The wards surrounding Gaule had disappeared the moment her Basile power was gone. Tyson traveled back and forth frequently as Etta’s emissary to Gaule, but the rest of them were busy running their kingdoms.
In the following days, representatives from Madra and others across the sea would arrive. Even Dracon sent someone to represent their interests. With their queen dead, they’d chosen a new ruler, and he had been reaching out to help Dracon rejoin the rest of the world.
Trade between the kingdoms thrived, the world once again at peace. For now.
They were entering a new era.
Having everyone join her in Bela reminded Etta what she’d fought for. It was this, these people, this life. Her family.
She still had moments when anger or hatred would overtake her, remnants of the magic that had controlled her so completely. But they never lasted. How could they?
Days after the rulers and representatives of their allied kingdoms left, Etta found herself sitting with Vérité.
Her father’s warnings rang in her head and she laughed. He’d said Vérité was dangerous, wild. But then, she had been as well. Viktor Basile had been a great many things, but he hadn’t been everything and she only now realized that was okay. He’d made mistakes, just as she had.
She’d once thought he didn’t believe in her because he told her not to attempt to break the curse, but that wasn’t true at all. It was because he’d known La Dame. It was an impossible task.
Not everyone is meant to attempt the impossible.
She looked up at Vérité. And not everyone was meant to attempt it alone.
“What are you two up to?” Alex asked, walking around the side of the house with a knowing smirk.
“Trouble,” she answered. “Lots and lots of trouble.”
He laughed and bent down to kiss the top of her head. He tried to pull away, but she pulled him back and breathed him in.
Vérité nipped at him and he jumped back. “Hey,” he protested. “I thought we were moving past that.”
Etta shrugged, trying to hide her grin. “Can’t chain a wild beast.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he said, leaning in to kiss her again. “We all saw what happened when they tried to chain you.”
Vérité snorted and Etta pushed Alex away before the jealous horse bit. “Go,” she said with a laugh. “Isn’t Edmund waiting for you?”
“I’m going. I have to get some time in with him before he leaves for his new position as ambassador to Madra.” He shook his head sadly. “Be nice to her, Vérité.”
Etta raised an eyebrow. They all knew Vérité would never harm her. Once Alex was out of sight, Etta climbed to her feet.
“How about a ride?”
Vérité stomped his foot.
She didn’t bother with a saddle as she hauled herself onto his back and braided her hands through his mane. With a gentle squeeze of her calves, he took off.
All of Bela stretched out before her. Most of it was still untamed. Thick forests. Wildflowers. Running streams.
They crested the hill that led down into the village. Etta turned Vérité to the other side of it instead. His hooves thundered down an unused path and into the trees. She breathed in the fresh air as it whipped around her face.
They were right. Alex may have been her heart’s mate, but Vérité owned her soul. With them, she was complete. With them, she was whole.
For she was Persinette Basile. Daughter of a great man. Breaker of curses. Queen of Bela. No chains could hold her for she was finally free, and the free had no more battles to wage.
The adventures in the Six Kingdoms aren’t over yet! Book four is now available. Join some familiar characters as they become embroiled in another rebellion. Click here for your copy of Glass Kingdom.
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