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.
When my mug is empty, I put on the dress my parents picked out. It’s to the knee, loose in the skirts, with charming front laces and capped sleeves. I feel worlds better finally out of Midscape clothes and borrowed robes from the Keepers.
Wandering downstairs while I wait for my parents, I take a turn around my shop. I can see Poppy made some adjustments while I was gone. I’ll need to put a few things back into place.
I can also see the ghost of Luke, standing in the doorway. But even that hateful memory isn’t as bitter as it once was. For all he risked, for as foolish as he was…maybe it was because of what he did that Eldas and I could finally see eye to eye. If I wasn’t so desperate for a way out, I might have just accepted Eldas as he was. Not as the man he was becoming.
The phantom sensation of his hands on my skin gives me a shiver. But the memory is immediately chased away by my mother’s voice.
“Are you ready to go?” She and Father stand at the bottom of the stairs.
“Yes,” I say, and we head off.
We take the long way through town and end up behind where the stage used to be. I can see signs of the new improvements made in this area. There are cuttings of the vines that grew over buildings piled up in the street, waiting to be burned or used for compost.
Father leads me around the side of the stage. I catch a glimpse of the entire town—the people I came back for. The people I love and owe. I take a deep breath.
“Let’s go,” he says.
I’m ushered onstage before I can collect myself. I think I was announced by the Head Council member, or Head Keeper? Maybe both? I stare out, standing where Eldas did months ago, looking out at the faces of