These Twisted Bonds (These Hollow Vows, #2)(131)

I laugh, and tears spill down my cheeks as I nod. “You did. You told me.” I take another step and find myself at the dais. The spot where I killed Mordeus.

I hesitate, and then Finn’s there, offering me his hand to help me onto the dais. Always helping me, always lending me his strength.

“Come on, Princess,” he whispers in my ear. “Make me call you something else.”

I turn and sit on the Throne of Shadows for the second time. The moment my back hits the stone, my power purrs in approval. This is a throne of the night, of the misfits and the lost. This is the throne for all those who had to endure the darkness to find the stars. This is my throne, and it’s been waiting for me.

Finn stands by my side—the king I choose, the partner I was given and whom I fought for. The match my heart needs. We’ve been given a second chance, thanks to Sebastian’s sacrifice. And as I take Finn’s hand, more power flows through me than I can even describe. Power of the night, power of the shadows, power of every shining star. It’s too intense to label, but it feels a lot like hope.



Celebration erupts in the palace, and in the capital, and then in the court. Everyone feels it—the energy in the air, the electric click of power restored to a court that hasn’t had someone on the throne in more than two decades.

The golden court probably has no idea that their queen is dead and surely has no idea that their future king is a mortal with an alliance with the Unseelie Court. We can’t make centuries of hatred and prejudice go away overnight. I probably can’t even make them go away in my very long lifetime. But that will be tomorrow’s problem. Tonight, Sebastian gathers his allies in the Court of the Sun, and in the Court of the Moon we celebrate saving this kingdom and a future of peace.

Finn presses a kiss to my shoulder. “How’s my queen?” he asks.

I reach back and find his hand, squeezing it in mine. “Still reeling,” I say, not bothering to sugarcoat the truth. Not for him. “But I’m okay. We’re going to be okay.”

He wraps his arms around me, pulling my back flush against the front of him. “I’m so proud of you. And I’m so proud to serve you.”

I spin in his arms and look up into his eyes. “Serve me?”

“Of course. I’m your tethered servant. That is literally what I was born to do.”

“Because the power only moves one way, right?” I ask, brow arched. “But if we were bonded . .

.”

He strokes my cheek. “I’m not asking anything of you. You were just freed from a bond you didn’t want. I don’t need anything more than I have right this minute.”

“Finn, you have given me strength from the moment I met you. As my friend, as my mentor, and as my tethered match. Someday soon, I’ll want this to go both ways. I want you to pull strength from me too. Just like I pull strength from you.”

He leans his forehead against mine. “If that is what my queen wants,” he says, a little breathless, “then it would be my absolute honor, but there’s no need to rush anything.”

We hold each other like that and eventually begin dancing. One song blends into another, and my grief and gratitude for what Sebastian did swell in my chest.

I look up at Finn through my lashes, and he’s grinning. “What are you thinking about?” I ask.

“I’m thinking about how you’re the most amazing creature I have ever met.” He buries his face in my neck, and I can feel his smile. “And I’m thinking how good it feels to be right.”

“Right about what?” I ask.

“About you being the queen this realm needs.”





Epilogue

“Abriella, you look amazing,” Jas says, scanning me with bright eyes.

But to me, she’s the one who looks amazing. Her last six months in Faerie have been good for her.

Her face has filled out and her eyes shine bright with good health, and though she still jumps at shadows and doesn’t trust the fae easily, she’s improving.

In the months that have passed, I’ve learned a lot about being queen of a strife-filled land. I’ve learned about how people—even the kindest, wisest among them—buck against change, and I’ve learned that those same people will happily take credit for the same innovations they fought you on.

But most of all, I’ve learned that I’m my happiest, best self when my sister’s around.

“You’re sure it’s not too much?” I ask, looking down at the black leather dress Jas made for me.

It’s a bit . . . wicked. But I like it. It’s long-sleeved but off-the-shoulder, and the skirt is slit high on each of my hips so that I can still run if need be—something I unapologetically demand in anything I wear. Not that there’s a lot of running these days. Mostly, there’s a lot of sitting. Meeting after meeting. Listening to heartbreaking stories from distant parts of our lands and sometimes listening to ridiculous whining from the overprivileged. This job has it all, but most of it is done from the safety of my throne room, with Finn standing by my side.

“So sure,” Jas says.

Pretha nods in agreement. “Finn will definitely appreciate the way it shows you off.”

I grin and look over my shoulder to see the back of the dress in the mirror. I haven’t let all the meetings and throne sitting get in the way of my training. I’m faster and stronger than ever and enjoying every minute of it. I don’t mind these results either, though I know Finn can’t keep his hands off me either way.