But as Justina had routinely repeated to her people: “Everything will come together the right way in the end. If it is not right, then it is not the end.”
He snugged an arm around Malita, pulled her close, and pressed a kiss to her soft, warm cheek. She smelled of lilacs, like the soap his grandmother made.
The trick-riding girl took the reins of her mechanical unicorn and strode out of the ring. A dashing young man in jodhpurs and a red tailcoat jogged into the center of the tent, taking her place. Falak Savin, the ringmaster. Niffin had met him briefly after he and his family had travelled to Barsava to pick up Evie and Gideon.
Falak raised his hands, and the crowd quieted. “Ladies and gentlemen, another round of applause for the astounding Genevieve.” He paused while the audience whistled and clapped. Once they settled down again, he continued. “On behalf of Le Cirque De Merveilles Mécanique, I’d like to express our sincerest gratitude to the Lady of Thunder for her patronage and for hosting us here on the lovely island of Inselgrau. We will be touring your fair country for the rest of the month, so if you enjoyed our show, please spread the word.” He beamed at the crowd and bowed dramatically. “Thank you all for coming.”
The rest of the circus performers jogged in through a rear entrance and joined the ringmaster for more bows and curtsies. A band played exit music while the audience funneled out of the tent, returning to the fairgrounds outside. As if Niffin and Malita were lead and Evie were a magnet, she strode straight to them. Without hesitation or formality, the queen of Inselgrau threw her arms first around Malita and then around Niffin. Her eyes sparkled as she pulled away. “You almost missed the show,” she said, dabbing at her eyes.
Niffin shrugged. “Better late than never, right? There was a storm in the channel that delayed us. Too bad you were not there to facilitate our travels.”
Evie chuckled. “Well, I’m glad you’re here now. I was feeling a bit out of sorts without you.”
Niffin buffed his knuckles on his lapel. “That is what all the ladies say.”
Malita shoved an elbow into his ribs, and he chuckled.
Three more joined the impromptu meeting—Brigette, Gideon, and the girl who must have been his sister, Marlis. Behind them appeared Brahm and Hannah Schulze. Last to arrive was the ringmaster, Falak, and the trick rider, Genevieve.
“Does everyone know everybody?” Evie asked. Once the proper introductions were made, Evie motioned for her friends to follow her. “Let’s go to the house. Gerda has something for us to eat, I’m sure.”
Niffin glanced at his family, who had gathered several feet away, waiting for the opportunity to approach. He released Malita’s hand and squeezed her shoulder. “Go ahead. I will catch up to you soon.”
Malita glanced at his family and nodded. “I will tell Evie.”
Evie’s group filed out of the tent, leaving Niffin alone with his family and a few circus employees who had started sweeping up.
“My son!” Emorelle hurried over and hugged him, squeezing him tightly enough to make his ribs creak. “I was not sure we would ever see you again.”
After she released him he hugged his father, his sister, and his grandmother in turn. He and Benoit shook hands.
“We have already talked to Evie,” Timony said. “She told us everything that has happened since you left us in Varynga. But it is not the same as seeing you ourselves.” He slapped Niffin’s back. “We have missed you, boy.”
“I missed you, too, Papa.” A flush lit his cheeks. “I think of you every day.”
“We have asked Justina to rescind her orders so you can come home. For good.” Emorelle wiped her eyes and frowned. “She says she will not take back her orders, but she will give you the freedom to decide for yourself. You can stay here...” She waved her hand about, generally indicating Evie’s estate. “Or you can leave with us.”
Niffin’s stomach twisted. Months ago, if he’d been given this option, he would never have hesitated to return to his home in the skies. But he’d been out in the world, living as his own person, an individual with the freedom to make his own choices and fulfill his own destiny. There was comfort and safety in returning to his parents’ ship, but there were confines, rules, and expectations there, as well—ones that didn’t necessarily mesh with his own evolving identity. He’d left his childhood behind. His life was his own now.
Everything, as it currently was, seemed all right, and he hoped that meant this was the end of the bad things, particularly the end of trials and tribulations, of fighting and wandering, of fear and uncertainty. Because, as far as endings went, he couldn’t think of anything better than this new life he was building for himself. He had a home here on Inselgrau with a new family, and one that floated in the sky with an old family he would always love, and who would always be a part of him, no matter where he went. He had Malita, which never should’ve happened, but somehow it had. He had joy, hope, and love, and he’d try his best to live out his days never taking those things for granted.
“I will stay here,” Niffin said.
His mother opened her mouth, presumably to object, but he raised a hand, and she paused. That was new. His mother had never withheld her opinion before.
“On the condition that I can return home whenever I like, and you will always make a place for me.”
Timony’s brow furrowed. “Of course, Niffin. No matter what, no matter where we go, we will always be your family.”
“You will make room for Malita too?”
A muscle jumped under his mother’s eye, but his father never hesitated. “Are you going to marry her?”
“If she will have me.”
Timony laughed. Emorelle snorted. His sister and her fiancé gave each other conspiratorial winks. Puri clapped her hands, obviously delighted.
With their most pressing issues addressed and concluded, Niffin’s family exited the circus tent and roamed the grounds together, sharing stories of the things that happened during their time apart. A miniscule black cloud sailed over his head and issued a perfunctory bark of thunder.
Niffin snorted and flicked an eyebrow. “I believe that the queen is summoning me.”
As his family returned to the fair, he strolled across the wide field toward Fallstaff. He entered through Gerda’s garden. Except for a few cabbages, squashes, and hearty herbs, her garden had gone dormant for the winter, but she had obviously cleaned out the weeds, trimmed back the ivy, and neatened everything for the coming spring. From the kitchen, he followed the sound of voices and found Evie in the room that had once been her father’s office. Gone were the swords and shields from the walls. In their place hung an assortment of colorful paintings and mirrors reflecting the sunlight. He took a seat beside Malita on the sofa across from Brahm and Hannah.
Falak, Genevieve, and Marlis had taken chairs near the window, and Genevieve basked in the sunlight like a cat. Evie sat behind her father’s desk, fingers tented together under her chin. Steadfast and watchful, Gideon stood at her right shoulder, arms behind his back.
“You’re all here because you’re my most trusted friends,” Evie said. “I wanted to thank you in person for everything you’ve done to make it possible for me to be here.” She narrowed her eyes. “Even you, Hannah.”
The blond girl across from Niffin scowled but said nothing.
“I owe each one of you my life. My people owe you their gratitude, and in time I hope legends are passed around that memorialize your deeds, your feats of bravery, and your generosity.”
Evie waggled her fingers at Gideon. He produced a small box that he must have been holding at his back and set it on the desk before her. She popped it open and revealed the contents. The velvet lining made a sumptuous presentation for one thin jeweled band and two matching lapel pins. Each pin was constructed from a collection of jagged diamonds, shaped to resemble a lightning bolt. The band was obviously a diadem of sorts, but it was so simple and understated it hardly seemed like something a queen should wear.
Adopting a look of pure devastation, Hannah gasped. “Oh, Evie, what have you done? Please tell me those aren’t the diamonds from your crown?”
Evie gave Hannah a cool smile, obviously enjoying the girl’s distress. “Tonight is the ceremony for my coronation. But instead of what my ancestors have always done in the past, I thought I would do something new.” She pointed at the pins. “My power comes not just from within me but also from the beliefs of my people. Their faith is the check and balance to my divinity, keeping me from becoming something terrible and uncontrollable. I think the people should also be the check and balance on my ability to wield the law.
“So for that reason, I’ll announce the institution of a new form of government in Inselgrau. A triumvirate of sorts, with representatives chosen by the people. The power to control this country will not lie solely in my hands but will be spread among two others, two regular people with no Magic, no divine blood in their veins.”
