“I don’t think a celebration is entirely necessary,” I object weakly.
“Of course it is!” Father claps a hand on my back. “You have done something amazing, Luella. The whole town will want to honor you.”
“The town has done enough for me.”
“They will want to celebrate that no more of their young women will ever have to endure the title of Human Queen and cross the Fade ever again.”
“Right.” I bite back a sigh.
“What is it, Luella?” Mother asks.
“Nothing.” I force a smile. “I’m just eager to return to my shop is all.”
“In due time,” Father encourages. “For now, enjoy a well-earned rest.”
* * *
Three days later,I stand once more in my old room in the attic of my family’s brownstone. “It’s not much, but it’s mine,” I whisper. That’s what I used to say.
There’s the hay mattress, my books lined up in a corner, my chest of clothes, and everything that I once viewed as my life—save for my shop—neatly in one place. This is the first time I’ve seen it all since returning from the grandiose halls of Midscape. I expected to find it comfortable and comforting. And it is comforting…but in a nostalgic kind of way. Like an old pair of shoes, broken in just right, yet still unusable once you outgrew them.
“Luella?” Father says, climbing up the narrow stairs that wind to the loft. He holds two mugs in his hands. The familiar scent of the mint tea blend I made for him years ago fills the air. “I thought you might want something to calm your nerves.”
“Thank you.” I take one mug and sip.
“Your mother and I got something new for you to wear today.” He nods at the dress laid out on the bed. It’s a pretty sundress of bright yellow cotton, strung together with white silk ribbon. “Of course, it’s likely not much compared to the gowns you got to wear as the Human Queen, but I suspect you’ll have a lot more fun in it.” He chuckles.
“I’m sure I will.” All I want is my canvas trousers. All I want is my shop. All I want is to be normal once more.
But I don’t know what normal is anymore. I don’t know how to find something I can’t recognize.
“You’ll love the new town park.” Father sips his tea, beaming from ear to ear. He wanted to show me on the way, but the Keepers didn’t want to risk my being seen before the “big reveal.” So we came right home; that way I could get ready in my own room, with my own things—as my mother insisted. “The council is even talking about naming it Luella Park.”
I laugh softly. “What’s next, a statue of me there?”
“Funny enough, the idea was floated and it seemed well received.” Father laughs as well, but I’m silent.
A statue of the first queen in Quinnar. A statue of the last queen in Capton. The balance is maintained in yet another way. It makes sense I would stay, that I would leave Eldas, when I look at it from a perspective of the natural order. The first queen stayed with her king. I left mine.
My nails dig into my cup.
“What is it?” my father asks, noticing my heavy silence.
“Nothing.” I shake my head. “You were right, I’m a little nervous; that’s all.”
“It’ll be fine. Everyone will be so happy to see you. A perfect resolution after all the ugliness Luke brought on us. It’ll be closure for everyone.”
“I hope so,” I murmur.
“Leave her be, Oliver,” Mother calls up from downstairs. “She needs to get ready. As do you!”
“Coming, Hannah!” Father gives me a kiss on the crown of my head like he would when I was a girl and goes to leave.
“Father,” I say timidly, stopping him. “After today, everything will go back to normal, right?”
He stares, confused. “Why wouldn’t it?”
“Nothing. Good. That’s all. Thanks again for the tea.” I sip as I watch him leave, hoping he’s right.