Chapter Thirty-One
Alice looks at the Damos’ limp body stretched out on the stairs. She hovers next to Will. She felt his strong arms wrap around her as she takes in the shock. She hears Will’s voice in her ears, “It’s over.” Alice nods still looking down and taking in the news. “It’s over,” She whispered. It was over, but there was no moment where she could think to celebrate. She could not find herself to celebrate a victory that she has lost a lot.
They walk down to the entrance of the castle. Alice lets Will take care of anybody from outside of Eden without a fuss. She was too stunned by what had happened. There was not that much of the Austere army, and they all guessed that they must have fled when they saw their king fall.
Outside in the court yard Alice sees what was left of her army. Her eyebrows pull together at the thought of her army. She was to be their queen now. It felt surreal and upsetting. For the only reason she was their queen now was because her parents were killed. She felt a squeeze on her shoulders and she turns to look at Will. Alice gives a sad smile; glad to know that she did not need to speak for him to know what she was thinking.
One of the soldiers comes up to Alice; he must have been second in command to the captain. He opened his mouth and then closed it. He must have been deciding what to call her. Maybe she was not the only one that thought of her being queen was surreal. He opened his mouth again, “The others and I chased out the rest of the Austere army that was in the castle.”
Alice nods, “They must have heard the news that Damos is dead.” She let the news sink in for a few seconds. “I do not want them here. They end up hurting someone.”
The soldier nods. “But they will probably stay to get their king when they settle down.”
“Take a group with you and try to ease them down and talk to them, but only allow four to follow you back.”
The soldier nods and takes a small group with him and walks out through the gate.
Alice walks up to Keiran. “How much damage did Eden take?”
Keiran shrugs, “Too many to count. Damos had most of the capital burned, so it is going to take some time for re-growth. In the mean time the kingdom will be going through a famine.”
“How come none of the fairies have tried healing Eden?” Asks Will.
Keiran shakes his head, “A lot of the fairies were either killed or too weak to do anything.” He shrugs, “This is a problem all over Eden.”
Alice takes in the information. The fairies are the only ones that can help restore Eden, and if this is a problem all over and if there is not enough fairies, then this is going to take some time. “We’ll gather up the strongest fairies that are left, and they restore what they can of Eden for now, just enough to get passed the famine; I do not want to drain them out.”
“As for now, I want Eden to know that the war is over and to take a day to relax after the past year.” She folds her hands together. “While we settle with the famine I want everyone take what food is in the castle to give to the families that need it the most. And instead of a victory celebration, I want to have the burial for my parents and a memorial for those that we lost.” It is the proper thing to do, she thought.
Alice watches from the balcony of her room, as the soldiers of Austere take Damos their former king out of the castle. She lets herself breath knowing it was truly over. That she was not going to hide any longer, and for that she was happy.
She looks over the kingdom and sees the difference in the scenery. What was once lush and green was now dead and brown. Keiran was right, it was going to take time to restore what Eden once was.
“So, this is your home,” Brittney says stepping out into the balcony.
“The graveyard version,” Alice response.
Brittney looks down at the ledge. “I am sorry about your parents, and for the way I treated you.”
Alice shrugs, “I probably deserved it. Besides it did look like I was using you as a disguise.” She looks behind her and sees Will and Scott sitting around her study room. She turns back around knowing they were giving them the space to talk. Alice could not help but giggle at the image of the two.
“What is so funny?” Brittney asks.
“It is just the two of them are sitting together. I never thought Will would be able to do that.” She puts a hand on Brittney’s shoulder as she gives her a confused look. “If only you knew how jealous Will was of Scott before we got together.”
Brittney grins and shakes her head looking back at the kingdom.
Scott comes out followed by Will. “This all yours now?”
Alice nods not exactly delighted by it. “I wish you guys could see how beautiful it really is,” She looks back at them. “I mean if you guys want to come back.”
“If you want us to stay, just say it,” Brittney says.
“Well I mean you guys cannot stay long, your parents would be worried.”
“No, but we are graduating and are legal adults…” Brittney started and then leans her back against the balustrade. “If you want us back, then maybe we could come back.”
Alice smiles, “Yeah I would like that.”
Later in the afternoon, after Brittney and Scott returned to Earth, Alice is back in her room cleaning up her wardrobe. There actually was not much to clean since the maids came in everyday, but she just wants to be kept busy.
“How are you feeling,” She hears Will’s voice in the background.
Alice shrugs. “How am I supposed to feel?”
Will walks up to her and takes her in his arms. She puts her head on his shoulder and he puts his cheek against her hair. “I don’t know, but I am proud of you today.”
She grins, for some reason that made her happy. Alice looks up at him, “So is there something you want to tell me?”
Will bites on his lip, “I was told that your mother was already buried in the royal family’s tomb. Apparently Damos allowed your father to bury her when they came.”
Alice nods taking in the information. At least she could still say good-bye to her mother. “Anything else you want to tell me?”
“No, there isn’t anything else to say.”
Alice looks outside her window. At her home that has been destroyed by war.
Will rubs her shoulders. “It’ll grow back. Maybe even better than before.”
Alice looks up at Will. “I believe that too.”
End
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