And decided it was time.

True broke his embrace with Farah.

And when he gazed down at her, he saw she was gazing up at him, laughing.

Nandra of Firenze appeared at the henge first.

Rebecca of Wodell flashed in second.

Lena of Mar-el arrived third.

They all went directly to the slab.

But it was Nandra who spoke.

“It is beginning.”

A god moved from the shadows and smiled into the dark.

“Finally, my love, our wait is almost over,” he murmured to nothing.

The Nadirii galloping up the side of the mountain stopped abruptly, for their queen had suddenly tumbled from her horse.

Her lieutenants dismounted instantly and raced to their friend.

And Ophelia lay on her back, gazing up at them…

Dying.

Princess Elena

Highgate (Eastern Gate into Sky Bay)

AIREN

The white left nearly as quickly as it came, but it was as if it was still there, for I could not believe what I was seeing.

Cassius’s hands had not been charred to dust at touching the shorn horn of a living unicorn.

The unicorn was up on two feet, scraping the air with his hooves as his mare pranced around him and Cass slowly stepped back from him, its horn renewed.

Renewed.

“The Phoenix,” I whispered.

And as sheer joy soared through me, I sprinted to my man who turned just in time to catch me up in his arms.

“What did you do?” I asked, framing his face in my hands and looking down upon him as he held me high.

“I’m seeing you aren’t the only one in the family who has magic,” he replied arrogantly.

I gazed at his handsome face before I threw my head back and laughed.

While doing it, Cassius lowered me, my body gliding along his as he did.

And I did not mind our audience, and further paid no mind to the miracle that had just occurred.

For my prince was kissing me.

The People of Airen

Highgate (Eastern Entrance into Sky Bay)

AIREN

Almost all the population of Sky Bay were most startled to see their prince openly embracing the Nadirii.

He was known to have very much loved his wife.

He was known to very much grieve her death.

But now, seeing him vital and happy, it appeared he was healed.

Reborn.

A goodly amount of the population of Sky Bay fell in love with Princess Elena in that very moment.

Another number continued to detest her.

But those last realized they had a very serious problem.

Especially in the now, with their plans so close to being put into action.

For their prince could heal a unicorn.

And that begged a very important question.

For if he could do that…

What other powers did he have?

108

The Taking

Tedrey

Heden District, Fire City