I didn’t fall... I’m alive.
I kept my eyes squeezed shut, and it was clear that there was a much larger number of people in here than there were before. Clattering feet and victorious wails echoed all around me without explanation. “What happened!?Where’s Conan?”
My legs wobbled underneath me as Nixie aided me to my feet. “Don’t worry, it looks like Killian got him. Conan is being detained as we speak. The rest of the army is aiding him now.”
I took in a raspy breath and pressed a worried hand to my over-strained heart.Thank goodness he was alright.My ears suddenly caught a glimpse of the cursing prince, fighting angrily against the weight of an entire army. “What about Peter? He was supposed to join us in the throne room, but he never made it.” My ears strained for any glimpse of the king’s voice, but it was impossible to pick out voices in such chaos.
“He came in with me just now,” Nixie explained coolly. “There were a few more injured than we anticipated, so he stayed behind to help. It looks like he’s aiding Miron now.”
Miron!?
“Can you take me to him!? Please?” I desperately grasped Nixie’s sleeve and she led me through the crowd of soldiers without debate.
When our footsteps slowed, she lowered me to my knees and I felt around until I touched Miron’s hand.It was cold.
“I’m sorry, Estelle...” Peter’s low voice tore through me as I felt the heat of his magic radiate beside me. “I’ll do all that I can, but my magic isn’t tailored to injuries. I don’t know if I can save him.”
Thick tears rolled down my eyes as I raised the sweet prince’s hand to my lips and pressed a tender kiss upon the top.Please, Miron, don’t give up. You don’t have to die anymore. I’m already free.I pressed my forehead into the back of his hand as my cries continued. I gently stroked the back of his hand in the same soothing manner he had always done to me. A soft warmth touched my blood and I recognized it as a weak strain of his dwindling magic.
Wait... his magic!
“Peter, take his hand!” I thrust Miron’s limp hand toward the king and held it stiffly until he took it from me. “Do you feel that?”
Peter went quiet for a moment, then took in a sharp breath. “I do. He’s still using his magic. It’s weak, but it might enhance mine enough to bring him back.”
I lifted my lashes the slightest amount to watch the king’s hands work. Miron’s eyes still remained closed, but every once in a while, I could see the slightest twitch in his features. I held my breath as Peter pressed one hand to the wound and squeezed Miron’s fingers with the other.
Please, Miron...
“It’s working,” Peter breathed in amazement. “His magic is getting stronger. I can feel my power growing with each second.”
Fresh tears of joy filled my eyes as I watched Miron’s skin miraculously turn from a pale white to his natural warm tan. Peter let out a held breath, then lifted his hand from the place of the injury. I stared in awe at the seamless skin that now looked completely untouched beneath the blood-stained tunic.
Peter stepped away, and I instantly took his place over Miron and laced my fingers around his hand. “Please, Miron. Please wake up.”
My heart fluttered with unrestrained joy as his piercing blues eyes blinked to life. My gaze latched onto his, and I felt the most welcome sensation of magic flood through me as an unexpected vision stirred to life inside me. “You’re alive... You still have a future.”
“Elle? What happened? Are you alright?” His groggy voice felt like music to my ears, and I threw my arms around his neck at the same moment my vision went black.
Miron is looking at my tear-stained cheeks with a tender smile. I beam brightly at him and wrap my arms gently around his neck and pull him close. His gaze drifts toward my lips just before I pull him in for a sweet, blissful kiss.
My eyes blinked back to life as I pulled away from our embrace with an elated smile. He raised his brow at me in consideration. “What is it, Elle? Did you see another vision?” My smile brightened and I nodded excitedly. He cocked his head. “What did you see?”
The weight of the world lifted off my shoulders as I envisioned my future with the prince before me—not with my magic but with my own hopes for our lives together. Not even his fate was strong enough to separate us, and now we could spend our lives shaping our future without any predestined rules. My heart fluttered, sending ripples of desire through me at the thought of a real future with Miron—free from cages, crowns, or predestined fates. The only thing towering over our future now was our own ambitions. Miron’s sweet eyes blinked at me curiously, and I brushed my hand against his.
“Let me show you,” And then I pulled him into a timeless kiss.
chapter twenty-seven
My hands smoothed over the wrinkles in my silver skirt for the hundredth time. Nerves bundled up in my chest as I looked across the vast, yet ornate courtroom. From my balcony seat, I could clearly see the representatives of the other three kingdoms in vivid detail as they glared down at the chained prince with accusing eyes. The mood felt far too heavy for such an extravagant space.
The Isallan courthouse was the grandest of all four kingdoms, and due to the enormous list of crimes and witnesses that had piled up against the ex-prince, Conan, the kingdoms collectively agreed to hold his trial here. Tall marble pillars supported the lofty ceiling and exquisite balcony seats that had been reserved for the representatives of each kingdom, and other special witnesses. Long, sky-blue curtains hung from the top of the rounded roof and cascaded elegantly down the sides of each individual balcony before brushing against the lower floor. The various spectators who had traveled from all corners of the realm sat amongst the center of the room to witness the litigation of the Emerald Realm’s most dangerous criminal.
It had been two months since the war against Ashbourne, but my stomach still twisted every time I glanced at the monstrous prince. He stood stiffly behind his stand with four guards posted around him, their crossbows drawn. His face bore a deep resentment that only strengthened my fearful belief that he wouldn’t be granted any pardons during this trial.
A dark strand of hair fell in front of my eyes from my elaborate bun, and I pushed it behind my ear. After we had learned the truth about Ashbourne’s concealed mages, Miron set to work clearing the water sources of the invasive crystalleaf, and recently began to make it accessible to any mage who wished to contain their powers. In order to attend the trial, I had to mask my powers for the last few days and allow my hair to take on its natural ebony shade.
It felt freeing to be able to sit in such a crowded room without the fear of overstraining my magic. Miron’s magic also proved useful in keeping my powers at bay, but during such an eventful trip, I couldn’t count on him to be by my side at all times.