Hey babes!! Y'all know what day it is, right?

That's right. It's update day!! 🤩

This chapter was quite a challenge, and I will warn you now...

^ This was me, writing this chapter.

Be prepared for some feels!

Thank you all, as always, for being here, for supporting this story, and for being the light of my life! You guys never cease to amaze me. 😘 Now, enjoy the chapter! 💋

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Three, beautifully carved, wooden coffins sat atop a raised altar before me as I stood between Dristan and Warrick in the sacred tomb of the Aviary. Torryn stood on the other side of Warrick, and Marrok on the other side of Dristan.

Sylvie was also in attendance.

When Dristan informed me that Marrok had told him that she wanted to come, but that he'd said no, I'd thrown a fit. After a lot of arguing, and convincing, he'd finally agreed to let her come. But, she was surrounded by three Dragon guards, and was made to stand near the fall war, as far from me as possible.

She hadn't met my eyes.

Not once.

There were several other Fae in attendance, most of them dressed in black. Dristan had informed me that he had only invited Fae who had known my parents well. Aside from my fellow council members, there were no other Dragons present. I understood why, and I took no offense.

Ronan wasn't here. I wasn't surprised. Part of me suspected he'd wanted to attend, but I knew he probably didn't want to be near Dristan is such close proximity if he could help it.

There was a beautiful Fae female, whom I had never met before, standing near the back of the room, as she played a melancholy tune on her strange, stringed instrument. I might've cried at the sorrowful beauty behind the melody, but I couldn't. I hadn't any tears left to cry.

The few torches that adorned the stone walls were the only sources of light, as we were far beneath the surface of the earth. The service room was small, separate from the rest of the vast tomb. Various, colorful flowers, of all shapes and sizes, bordered the sides of each coffin.

Andromeda stood near the caskets, her head lowered, and her hands gently clasped in front of her. She had volunteered to speak at the service, and had prepared a eulogy for the occasion.

Andi truly had the kindest heart. I'd have to put more effort into our friendship. She was a good person, and I knew how desperately she wanted to be friends. I should try harder, especially after what she was doing for me, today.

As the song ended, the last, dreary note still hanging in the air, Andromeda stepped forward and raised her head. Her eyes swept across the room, and when her eyes found mine, a small smile graced her lips. I smiled weakly back at her before she looked away again, addressing the group of Fae in the room.

"Thank you all, for being here..." She said, her voice gentle, yet unwavering. "Today, we celebrate the lives of Princess Brenya's late parents. We shall send off her adopted father, Sir Roland Blackwell, with absolute honor, for protecting and raising our lost princess during their human lives together. We shall send off her paternal mother, Queen Eudora Alemaund, of the Rune Fae bloodline, with absolute honor, for her bravery and her service to her people. And we shall send off her paternal father, King Knox Alemaund, of the Elemental Fae bloodline, with absolute honor, for his fierce leadership and devotion to his crown. Please, bow your heads, and join me in prayer for these brave, respected, and honorable souls as they are laid to rest, at last."

The dull shuffle of movement swept across the room as everyone lowered their heads, and raised their hands in prayer. My hands remained at my sides, feeling like blocks of cement rather than actual appendages. I stared blankly at the coffins, my dry eyes itchy, still void of tears.

Just before Andromeda began to speak, I felt the feather light brush of fingers across the back of my hand. I glanced to my left, up into my mate's face. He wore a soft expression, one of concern, mixed with affection.

'You are not alone.' His voice whispered, hardly audible, in the wide, dark space of my consciousness.

I closed my eyes, my heart swelling with love and appreciation for his presence. I twined my fingers with his, and faced forward once more. The pad of his thumb rubbed soft, soothing circled on the back of my hand as Andromeda spoke.

"By and by, down the eternal, rushing river of the afterlife, you shall drift. By and by, you shall rest in infinite paradise, and you shall know that you have lived a life of great honor, and merriment. By and by, you shall know that you have left behind a legacy, a story of your great, and honorable walk through this life. By and by, you shall rejoice with the knowledge that those you've left behind shall always keep your memory sacred and precious. May you be blessed, honored, and loved for all of eternity. Rest now, and find peace, for you have done well here, in this world. By and by, into the arms of the gods, you shall return, and there you shall forever be free."

As the lovely eulogy came to and end, the Fae woman near the wall began to play another, sad melody. Andromeda lit one of the many candles on the raised altar, before coming to Torryn's side. I watched as, one by one, people took turns approaching the altar, whispering their words of goodbyes, and lit their own candles.

As Dristan finally approached the altar, I strained my ears to hear what he whispered to them.

First, he turned to my paternal parent's coffins.

"I offer you both my unending gratitude for bringing Brenya into this world, and for your personal sacrifice in making the choice to hide her away. It is because of those two things, that I have her by my side today."

I felt my eyes burning as he then turned to my father's coffin.

"And you, Roland Blackwell... I could never express in words, my infinite thanks to you, for raising such a strong, determined, loving young woman. You protected her, and raised her into the woman that I love above anyone else in this world. You may not have been her father by birth, but you were, and will always be, her true father. Thank you."

Slowly, he lit a candle. When he turned toward me, and met my eyes, I felt a single tear roll down my cheek. My eyes followed his as he walked back to my side. He leaned down, and planted the most gentle kiss I'd ever received, on my trembling lips.

"There is one candle left." He whispered as he pulled away.

I nodded, turning back toward the altar. My legs moved beneath me, slow and robotic, as I walked toward the coffins.

This was it. My final goodbye. I stopped a foot away, and my mind went blank as I studied each of the lovely coffins in turn.

'Pretend no one else is here... Say what you need to say, love.' Dristan's voice whispered in my mind.

It helped, a bit. I knew that all eyes were on my back, but if I imagined that I was alone, my mind seemed to clear a bit. I took a deep, steadying breath, and placed my hand upon my mother's coffin.

"Hello, mother." I whispered, as quiet as death itself. "I don't know where you are... Or why the gods decided to take you away f-from me." My voice broke as a fresh tear slipped down my cheek.

I sucked in a breath and swallowed the lump in my throat before continuing. "But I know why you did what you did, mama... I know it probably killed you to let me go. Believe me, it's killed me, too... But I know it was because you loved me. I have never known what your voice sounds like, or your laugh, or what you smelled of... But one day, when we meet again, I'll be able to tell you how much I have loved you, even without knowing who you were. Please, watch over me... I don't know what I'm doing... I wish I could've learned from you, how to be a queen... But I know you'll guide me, somehow. Goodbye, for now, mother."

My hand slid off of her coffin, and as it did, I felt some small part of my heart, some hidden fissure, seal itself shut. I turned to my biological father's coffin next, placing my hand atop the cool, hard wood.

"Father..." I closed my eyes. "Oh, how I wish you would've done things differently. But, I suppose in some way, I understand why you couldn't let go of your hatred for the Dragons..." Another, hot tear escaped my eye.

"You would've taught me so much, about ruling, about being a leader... But I feel as though I might've taught you a few things, too. Perhaps, if things had been different, I could've helped you forgive the Dragon people." I opened my eyes, and caressed the wooden surface gently.

"None of that changes the fact that you're my father, though. I would've loved you, unconditionally. I know, because I already do, despite your mistakes. Please, guide me... And know, that wherever you are, you are loved. Goodbye, father."

As my hand left his coffin, I felt another crack in my heart stitch itself closed. I smiled to myself, knowing that even though saying goodbye was not easy, it was what my soul needed. After all this time, I was finally going to be able to have closure. To heal.

I stepped further down the altar, and as my eyes fell upon the last coffin, more burning tears were summoned. I wasn't ashamed of them. I let them flow. I let them fall freely down my face, as I lifted my hand to my adopted father's final resting vessel.

"Hi, daddy." I whispered through my tears. I lowered my head as sobs threatened to break through. I couldn't start sobbing. I had to stay strong. I had to say what I needed to say. I inhaled deeply, blew out a slow sigh, and then lifted my head again.

"It feels like years ago, that I was ripped away from you, and taken by the soldier's, doesn't it? I'll never forget what you told me... You said that you were sorry... You were sorry that you hadn't warned me, that you had let it happen. You blamed yourself. But what neither of us realized, was that you'd done me a favor. Being taken, learning who I am, and finally finding my place in this world, was the best thing that ever happened to me, daddy. I wish I could've told you that. I wish you'd have known how happy I've become. You shouldn't have felt sorry... I am the one who should be sorry..." Sorrow grew in my gut.

"If I'd gotten to you sooner, if I'd only checked on you in the mirror, a little bit sooner, I could've... I-I could've..." A small sob escaped my lips, and I squeezed my eyes shut. My hand began to shake as it closed into a fist atop his coffin.

"I could've s-saved you, daddy, and I'm so, so sorry that I was too late." My voice grew louder as my sobs began to take over. "Y-You were out there, alone, and s-scared, because you were trying to find me! It's my fault! It's my fault!"

I sagged against his coffin, pressing my face into to smooth, cold wood, as if I could somehow reach him through the thick material. Silent, powerful sobs racked through my body, and my chest shook with the sheer force of them.

A pair of strong, warm arms wrapped around me from behind. I gasped as Dristan lifted me, and turned me toward him. I look up at him, startled, and agonized. His brows were furrowed tightly, and his eyes shimmered with worry as he stared helplessly into my wet eyes.

"Brenya-"

"No!" I cried, pushing out of his arms. "I have to finish!" I turned away from him, resting both of my palms on top of the coffin once more, and I tried to calm my fit of tears. I could still feel the warmth of his body at my back.

"Please..." I whispered.

His body heat faded, and I knew that he'd backed away again.

I took a steadying breath, and wiped at my eyes with one of my hands, before resting it on the coffin again.

There was a beat of still silence.

"I'm sorry, daddy. I know you wouldn't want me to harbor guilt, but I do. I always will... But I will make you a promise, now... Your death will not be in vain. You brought me the book, and with it, I am going to bring this war to and end. I am going to unite the races, and kill the king. Somehow, I am going to find a way to make peace between the humans and our kind... I have to... So that no other soul will have to endure the pain of losing a loved on to senseless violence, the way I lost you. I won't let your death be for nothing. That is my promise to you."

I lowered my face to his coffin and planted a tender kiss atop it.

"I know you'll always be with me. I'll see you again, someday... I love you, now and forever..."

Hesitantly, I stepped back, and my hands slid off of the solid surface. Lifting the last candle, I tilted the wick toward the one Dristan had lit, and when it caught flame, I set it down in front of my father's coffin.

"Goodbye, daddy."

The last, gaping wound in my heart, did not seal as the other two had. But I did feel the pain of it lessen, as if the wound had slightly scabbed over. Perhaps it would never fully heal, and turn into a scar. Perhaps it would always fester, and torment me.

But I was glad.

It was a reminder of why I had to fight this war. And I'd gladly endure the pain, every day, for the rest of my life, if it meant bringing an end to the king's bloody reign.

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After awhile, people began to trickle out of the service room. Andi stood with Torryn and Warrick near the coffins, murmuring to each other quietly. They all looked rather sullen and it tugged at my heart strings. Marrok was standing nearby, looking a bit stiff and awkward, as if he didn't quite know what to do with himself.

Dristan stayed close to my side, all the while. He studied the side of my face as I gazed silently at the coffins. I wondered to myself where they might end up after the service.

"They will be moved into their assigned places, later, deeper within the tomb. You can attend that, as well, if you wish. I'll go with you." He said softly, as if he'd read my mind.

Of course, I knew he hadn't actually read my mind. He could only hear my thoughts if I sent them to him directly. Perhaps he was sensing my mood.

"That's alright... I've said my goodbyes. If I wish to visit them sometime, I'm sure you can show me where they're located in the tombs." I said, pressing into his side.

He wrapped a massive, talon tipped wing around my shoulder. "Of course."

Just as we turned around, readying to leave the room, my eyes met with Sylvie's. She was about to walk through the doorway, readying to exit the room. She was watching me with an unreadable expression. The guards following her disappeared with her through the door a moment later, and she disappeared from view.

"Wait!" I called out, stepping away from Dristan's side.

I scrambled toward the door, desperate to see her, to speak with her. I had to apologize for what I'd done. I didn't expect her to forgive me, but I knew she needed to hear it, either way.

Just as I was about to dart out the doorway, a hand shot out and gripped my upper arm from behind, effectively stopping me. I grunted as I was pulled backward forcefully.

I whipped around and was met with a furious pair of sapphire blue eyes.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Dristan hissed, yanking me away from the door.

I clawed at his hand, my anger rising. "Let go of me!"

"No. You are not to go near her, Brenya." He growled, moving around me. He stood between me and the door now, and he still had a tight grip on my arm.

"I can do as I please!" I snapped, shoving at his chest with my free hand. I may as well have been shoving against a brick wall. Even though I was Fae, he was still physically stronger than me.

"Not when it puts you at risk." He said flatly, staring down at me with flared nostrils.

My blood boiled within my veins. "I can handle myself!"

"Brenya. The answer is no."

He thought I was just some helpless, weak, little girl, did he? Well, he might've been physically stronger than me, but I knew that my magic was far superior.

I bared my teeth, and then smiled sweetly up at him. I ran one of my hands up and over the material of his cotton shirt, stopping in the center of his chest. He narrowed his eyes at me, confused with my sudden change of attitude.

"Oh, Dristan..." I cooed softly. His eyes alternated between my own.

My anger was fueling my magic, somehow. I didn't know what I was doing, but I knew I could move him out of my path if I wanted to. I just had to be very careful not to harm him... I took a deep breath, trying mentally to tap into my power, extracting just a teaspoon of it. My hand, still upon his chest, began to tingle.

"When will you learn?" I asked, my tone like honey.

His eyes widened as a small flicker of power gathered in the palm of my hand. The scent of rotting fruit filled the air, and the energy of it raised the hairs on my arms. Every muscle in his body went taught as I paralyzed him.

'What the fuck are you doing?' He hissed inside my head.

Taking a small step back, I kept my hand raised between our bodies. I gave him a sweet smile as I raised my hand, just a fraction. His body lifted a foot off the ground. He inhaled a sharp breath of air as I turned to the right. His body, paralyzed and suspended in the air, moved with me, effectively removing him from the doorway.

'Stop this. Now.' He growled in the back of my mind.

I ignored him and moved my hand back down. His feet settled gently back onto the floor.

"There, that's better." I said, smiling with wicked delight.

"Brenya, what the hell are you doing?!" Warrick's voice suddenly gasped from across the room.