Thank Aloisia for the peace between Reynallis and Magnomel, for I could barely handle the stress of wedding preparations over the next few months, and the wedding was not even my own. The decisive, no-nonsense Constance I thought I knew became someone who spent weeks fretting over flower arrangements and dessert options. I would have found the obsessing annoying if it was not blatantly obvious that her true desire was to give Flora a perfect day to start their married life. That made it cute, at least most of the time. I still found myself hiding in Casper’s study on more than one occasion to avoid Constance demanding my opinions on table decorations or which set of crystal goblets to use, only for her to completely ignore whatever I suggested. Flora was the only one who could calm the princess during the whirlwind of preparations, still managing to remain her sweet self throughout it all.
But despite the chaos, there was a joy that permeated the air of the Rose Palace, perhaps even all of Sterling. Excitement for an upcoming wedding combined with the sweet relief of peace. News of peace with the fay traveled fast, even if there was initial skepticism. But slowly, the people of Sterling began to see that peace was feasible. At first, there was simply gratitude that there were no more border skirmishes, and the fear of fay slowly started to ebb as the raids ceased and children who had been stolen by the fay were returned. Eventually, the borders even opened to the brave human or curious fay who wanted to see what lay beyond the mist wall.
Closer to home, I was learning to love myself as the humans around me came to accept my new form. Though Casper ensured my safety immediately after the curse was broken, for weeks I endured poorly disguised stares and whispered murmurings. But with time, the strangeness of having a faerie amongst the court wore away, and my appearance was no longer a novelty. Some people took no time at all; Annabeth and Yanis immediately showed their loyalty. To my surprise, Lady Ilana was one of the first nobles to accept me when she returned to the Rose Palace. Oddly, I found her salty comments on my gowns comforting, as she treated me exactly the same as before I became fay. There were some in the court who refused to accept me, who probably never would. Their rejection stung, but I reminded myself that there were those who loved and respected me for who I was, and their opinions I would value a thousand times more than the people who clung to their ignorant, prejudiced views of the fay.
The day came when I no longer missed my human form as I looked at myself in a mirror. I still required my cane, and my bones still burned subtly if I overexerted myself—a permanent effect of the sitano—but it did not stop me from living my life, and the moonstone on my pearwood cane reminded me that I had a piece of my father always with me. My white hair and pointed ears became familiar, and I could see the beauty of my glowing, copper skin and golden eyes. It helped that Casper looked at me with the same adoration as when I looked human. He even took great pleasure when he discovered how sensitive my wings were. He would hold me close, gently running a finger down the length of a wing, his touch as light as a feather. Whenever he did that, my entire body would ripple with delight. He would smile, calling me his beautiful faerie princess.
I met regularly with Queen Marasina, in the beginning to ensure she kept to her word. While she allowed my visits, she was initially frosty, still sore I had tricked her into a ceasefire. But she warmed up, in no small part to her delight in Finn, who was a frequent visitor to Magnomel, enthusiastically devouring books in the great library and listening with rapt attention whenever Marasina would tell him the history of the Magia Viveralis.
Finn and Drusia became fast friends, and they could often be found eagerly chatting about everything from ancient faerie lore to the best kinds of cherry pies. I was especially grateful that Drusia had found such a good companion in Finn, as Corine never returned to the Forest Court. Marasina issued an official exile on her, punishable by death should she return. While I had no love for the faerie who tried to blow us up, I knew Drusia took the hit the hardest. Seeing her open up to Finn, smiling and sociable, warmed my heart. Finn was considering moving permanently to the Forest Court and removing his own glamour, with the help of Alverdine’s skill and not sitano, but Devon insisted he wait till he was sixteen.
Though I would have never imagined this path for my life, I could not have been more thankful.
It was the first day of spring, the start of the Spring Faire, and a beautiful day for a wedding. I sat in the front pew of the cathedral, staring at the impressive floor-to-ceiling stained glass. It had depicted roses before I destroyed it as a means of escape when the fay attacked during Casper’s coronation. Casper had the stained glass replaced with roses and swans, the milky white glass of the swans a striking contrast against the red glass of the roses. When I asked him about his choice, he told me that he never wanted to forget what we had overcome together.
I smiled, smoothing down my skirts as I waited for the music to begin. Annabeth had developed a special talent for ordering and customizing dresses that were practical and functional for my faerie form. Today I wore an iridescent silk gown the color of moonstone that matched the gem in my cane and made my copper skin look even brighter against the pale fabric. Behind me, I could hear Jacobie fidgeting before Devon shushed him. I turned to give them a quick smile. Devon, Finn, and Jacobie were all dressed in green and gold. Next to Devon sat Lady Ilana, looking as elegant as the first day I saw her, though some of the ice in her demeanor had since thawed, and I noticed her hand resting subtly on top of Devon’s. I shook my head, not wanting to consider Ilana as a potential sister-in-law, though the idea was not as horrid as I would have once expected.
The music began, the first notes from the massive organ ringing out from long pipes and filling the cathedral. The congregation quieted, voices hushing each other as everyone twisted in their seats, charged anticipation of seeing the royal brides. The massive doors were pulled open, and Constance came into view, Casper by her side. As they slowly walked down the aisle, the swish of gowns and scrape of chairs echoed throughout as everyone rose to their feet in honor of their king and princess.
Casper was magnificently dressed in red and gold, with the intertwined roses of the Famille De Rose crest embroidered on his tunic. He wore his ceremonial crown, the bejeweled and sculpted one from his coronation. The large ruby on top of the golden arches of the crown winked in the morning light. And while he looked regal, even his grand attire paled compared to the splendor that was his sister. It was a tradition for a noble couple to wear their betrothed’s colors at their wedding, as a show of commitment to the new partnership. Couples often gifted each other their wedding clothes, which Flora and Constance had done. So instead of the Famille De Rose red and gold, Constance shone in the orange and white of the Domus Ante Solis family.
I had been skeptical of how Constance, with her pale skin and black hair, would wear such colors, but my imagination had been far too limited. Flora had commissioned a stunning gown from Faradisia. The bodice was snow-white silk, richly embroidered with seed pearls that shimmered in the light and complemented the pearl and diamond tiara that was set into Constance’s raven curls. The gown was dip-dyed for an ombre effect, where the white melted into deepening yellows and oranges along the length of the skirt, reminding me of a radiant sunset, the rich colors infused with gold and copper threads, the edge of the skirt shifting to a deep russet, almost as black as night. The dress seemed to glow with its own light, and that light was matched by the beaming face of Constance. I had never seen her so beautiful nor so happy. As they reached the front of the cathedral, Casper kissed Constance on her cheek before leaving her in front of the waiting Father Geoffroi.
I smiled as Casper joined me. He interlaced his fingers with mine, giving them a subtle squeeze. My heart fluttered to see my charming love looking so handsome, especially with the joy that was clear on his face. We turned back toward the door, eagerly awaiting Flora.
Murmurs and gasps of delight were heard as the next song began, and Flora entered the cathedral, her uncle and King of Faradisia, King Jovan, escorting her. Constance had gifted Flora a dress of garnet silk unlike any gown I had ever seen. The bodice and sleeves were overlaid with delicate gold lace, and a braided golden belt cinched her waist. The voluptuous skirt consisted of hundreds of layers of red silk “petals” that moved and shimmered with her every step. Each petal of the rose skirt was edged in gold, and Flora had dusted golden powder into her hair, which was ornately braided with gold beads and ruby chips. The gold lining her eyes was bright against her dark skin. Her sweet, serene smile became a full, radiant grin as she saw Constance waiting for her.
Once they reached the altar, King Jovian kissed her cheek before taking her hands and pressing them into Constance’s. He then made his way to the pews, and everyone took their seats as the ceremony began. Father Geoffroi spoke of love and the couple’s commitment to each other, blessed them by the Mother, and dabbed oil anointed in Aloisia’s name for wisdom and faithfulness. Constance and Flora stared into each other’s eyes as though they were the only souls in the cathedral, instead of the hundreds who watched on.
When it was time for them to kiss, I found myself wiping a tear away from my own eyes.
“You know, we’re next,” Casper whispered to me.
“I was hoping with one royal wedding this year, we might be able to get away with eloping,” I whispered back.
“Not on your life. I want to show the entire kingdom my bride.”
And for once, I had no witty retort for him.
“Nor, I have something for you.” Casper and I were sitting in a corner of the ballroom. Casper had suggested we take a break from dancing when I confessed that my legs were starting to ache. He had fetched me a goblet of fine Faradisian sparkling wine, as the two of us relaxed on cushioned chairs, watching the festivities. The sun had long since set, but no one seemed ready to give up on a night of celebratory feasting and dancing.
I raised an eyebrow at Casper. “Why did you get me something for your sister’s wedding?”
“This is not because of Constance’s wedding.” Casper grinned, a mischievous look in his eyes that I always found utterly adorable in my charming, noble, king. Casper pulled me to my feet, and the two of us slipped out of the ballroom.
After a few minutes I realized where he was leading me.
“Why are we going to your study?”
“Because,” he said, opening his study door and ushering me inside. “I wanted to give this to you on our anniversary.”
“Our anniversary . . .” I started but trailed off as realization dawned on me.
“It was at the last Spring Faire that we met.”
I smiled, thinking not so much on that day, but rather all that had happened in the life-changing year between then and now. “And you want to celebrate the day I swindled and lied to you?” My surprise was evident, and Casper chuckled softly.
“I want to celebrate the day we met, because it was all worth it to have you in my life.” He leaned closer to me, trailing a finger up my wing, making me shiver in delight.
“Well, in that case, you’re a day late,” I said, smirking.
“What? Am not. I clearly remember the Spring Faire.”
“Yes, but we met the day before.” I gave his cheek a quick kiss. “I stumbled into a lost young nobleman in the woods the day before the Spring Faire. A foolish one at that. I managed to steal his ring before directing him back to Sterling.”
Casper pulled my hand to his lips, kissing his signet ring on my finger before letting his lips trail up my knuckles. “My apologies, I will have to make it up to you.” He looked up from my hand, meeting my eyes with a wicked gleam that made my heart pound and my breath catch in my throat.
“I’m sure you shall think of something,” I said.
“I will start with this,” he said, suddenly pulling away and reaching into a drawer in his desk. He drew out a thick leather book, placing it on the desk. The book was huge, as long as my forearm, and “MAPS” was embossed on the cover. “Open it.”
Carefully, I opened the book. Inside were large maps, beautifully illustrated and meticulously drawn out. There were detailed ones of Reynallis, Faradisia, Glavnada, and rough outlines of Magnomel, though many pages were blank, save for the title Magnomel at the top, as though they were waiting for a cartographer to discover the landscape beyond the borders of Reynallis.
“This is beautiful,” I said, taking in each exquisite page.
“Here,” Casper said, carefully flipping back to an early page I had missed. “Read this.”
Inside was an inscription, written in Casper’s own elegant hand.
To my dearest Elenora,
From gold spun to a curse undone,
Our journeys together have only begun.
I looked up at Casper, the questions in my eyes met with his loving smile. “Journeys?”
“I thought you might wish to do some traveling before we wed.”
“Anything to delay planning another wedding,” I said with an exaggerated sigh. More sincerely, I added, “Where did you have in mind?”
“Everywhere. We can see Faradisia and Glavnada. We can travel the world before settling down to rule. Constance has proved herself a capable leader and can rule in our stead while we are away.”
“I think I would like that,” I said, warming to the idea of such an adventure with Casper.
“And there is more I want to do in Reynallis,” he said.
“Oh?”
“You were right, Nor, as you usually are. We need to go out into our country to help our people. Because there is peace with Magnomel, we now have the resources to truly focus on rebuilding Reynallis where she hurts the most. We can go to the south, repair what the Southern War broke. Make our country better than it ever has been, seek out what our people need. You have been the voice of the common people to me, reminding me that we need to aid our whole country, but especially those most vulnerable.”
His dark eyes were eager, if a bit uncertain when I did not respond, suddenly too overwhelmed to speak.
He continued. “I know it will not be easy. There is lasting damage from the war and it will take time for our people to understand that the fay are not to be feared. News of your true form has permeated through Sterling, but not all of Reynallis. Some might take issue with our future queen being fay, but I believe we can show our country that there is a better way to live than a life filled with prejudice and fear, if you are willing to go with me.”
I nodded, my eyes brimming with happy tears. “And the blank pages?” I asked.
Casper looked a bit sheepish. “No human has created a comprehensive map of Magnomel. We only have false ones filled with superstitious imaginings. We can travel there, open communication, and fill in the blank pages. The more ignorant prejudices we replace with truth, the more we are likely to ensure a lasting peace.” He paused before adding, “And you deserve to know more about where your father was from.”
I wiped my eyes, startled by his willingness to return to Magnomel on my behalf. I carefully closed the book. “This is the second-best gift I have ever received,” I said, my voice choked with emotion.
“Only the second best?” Casper’s voice was light, but I detected a hint of genuine disappointment.
“Yes,” I said, taking a step closer to him and looking up into his dark eyes. I breathed him in, the familiar spicy scent of cinnamon and cloves that I loved. I lifted my hands to his face, carefully cupping his cheeks in my hands. “The best gift was when a prince promised me his hand in marriage if I gave him a room of gold.” I pulled his face down to mine, and whispered, “And after many trials and challenges overcome, he gave me a happily ever after.”