death, her breaths coming faster, shorter. Then...
Her head lolled to the side and her body went lax.
“Now.” I sprang out of the way, allowing the others to do their part.
“Roth,” Noel snapped. “You’re up.”
The true and rightful king of Sevón commanded, “Your body will mend itself, Ashleigh Skylair, future queen of the Avian, Queen of Glass.”
Ding.
“Come on, love,” I said. “Come on. You can do this.”
“Ophelia, Everly,” the oracle snapped. “Flood her with your best healing magic. Apples, unite!”
The two females knelt on opposite sides of Ashleigh, each one taking her hand. They closed their eyes, focusing on their task.
I remained on my knees, unable to stand. If this failed...
This couldn’t fail.
Ding.
The sorceress and the witch fell back, both pale and trembly.
Ding.
“Ashleigh. Love.” I scrambled to her side and pressed my lips against hers. Her skin was cold to the touch. “Come back to me. Without you, I have nothing. Without you, I am nothing. Come back.”
Ashleigh sucked in a mouthful of air, and I stopped breathing, willing to give her mine. Her eyelids popped open, her irises—I roared with denial. Her irises were bright blue. Leonora’s eyes.
We...we had failed. We’d killed my precious Ashleigh. I pulled at hanks of my hair. I would burn this world to the ground.
Ding.
“Saxon,” Roth called, pausing my tirade. “Look.”
The excitement in his voice shut me up. I shot my gaze down, experiencing a strange tugging in my chest. The blue was fading from her eyes, a beloved shade of emerald taking its place. Finally, there was no blue at all.
Leonora was gone. The phantom was gone!
Ashleigh blinked rapidly. Her brows drew together, and she frowned. “I’m alive?”
“Asha.” I gathered her close, easing her into a seated position. “Yes, you’re alive. You’re alive and you’re you. We did it. We killed Leonora.”
“She’s dead?” With a sob, she threw her arms around me and held on as if she were clinging to a rope in rushing waters. “She is. She’s dead. I can’t feel her anymore.”
Ding.
The final strike, announcing the arrival of midnight. “We finally survived our fairy tale.” I held her tighter, so thankful for all we’d won.
When Ashleigh’s sobs stopped, she sniffled and offered me a watery grin. “You’re happy.” She held up a hand covered with my amour.
“Very.” I drew back to wipe away the teardrops clinging to her cheeks. “I produce it for you and you alone. My fated queen.”
“So it’s more than happy dust? And it’s all mine, and no one else’s?” Her grin widened into the sweetest smile. “I love you so much, and I promise only to sell the dust if our coffers get low. We have dragons to feed.”
I snorted. “You are too possessive of your avian to share his dust.”
She groaned. “I am, aren’t I?”
“I love you so much, too,” I said, grinning.
Without Leonora’s influence, Ashleigh’s eyes sparkled more brightly. Her skin glowed with new health and vitality. Even her hair seemed to possess a greater luster.
“Now that I’m Leonora-free, I’m happy to say I will make you the happiest man in the world and marry you.”
About that... I needed to tell her we were married already. And I would. After I’d eased her into it.
“I’m so proud of you. I’m thankful you took a chance on me. I’m humbled that you gave your life for mine so many times, in so many ways.”
She pressed her forehead to mine, and I cupped her cheeks. “I’m proud of you, too. You overcame centuries of distrust and hate, allowing your heart to love again. You fought for me, and you showed me I have worth.”
“All hail the Glass Queen and avian crown prince!”
The pronouncement came from Ophelia and Noel, who knelt and bowed their heads in our direction. I swept my gaze over the entire room. The vines receded from the doors and windows. As the dragons rushed to Ashleigh to lick her face, guests and guards hurried to escape. Some of the guards, anyway. Others faced Roth and dropped to bended knee, as if awaiting his orders.
“All hail King Roth!”
Ophelia lifted her head and called, “And just like that, all is right in the kingdom. All thanks to a plucky oracle and an exquisite witch.”
“Exquisite oracle and plucky witch,” Noel corrected. “And all is right in the kingdom...for now. We all know the next fairy tale has already kicked off—no? Just me? I’m the only one who knows?”
The witch winked, then dusted off her hands in a job well done. “Until next time.” She blew a kiss