Ellysetta tilted her head to eye her young sister in amazement. “How did you know that, Lillis?”

But all Lillis would say was, “Mama told me.” Shock gave way to warm welcome as the other Baristanis stepped forward to greet Lauriana’s long-lost sister.

A handful of chimes later, a distant roar rumbled through the air and a triumphant, welcoming cheer rose up from the gathered crowds of Fey. Silhouetted against the deepening twilight of the eastern skies, the Fey’Bahren pride soared across the sky towards Dharsa. The whole pride had come—including the kitlings who had only recently learned to fly and were now gamboling across the sky like rambunctious kittens.

Now, at last, everyone was here. Now, at last, Dharsa could celebrate Ellysetta’s coronation and the first shei’tanitsa bonding ceremony to be held in over a thousand years.

In the golden Hall of Tairen, tairen, friends and family and countrymen had gathered. Spirit masters positioned around the great hall began to weave as Ellysetta began her slow march down the center of the hall towards the dais, where Rain, Loris v’En Mahr, and two gleaming tairen thrones awaited. The Spirit masters spun detailed images of each moment out to several locations in the sky over Dharsa, so that all the gathered throngs could watch the ceremonies Steli, blue eyes whirling with pride, stood behind the throne that would be Ellysetta’s. Sybharukai lent the support of the tairen by standing behind Rain’s throne. The four tairen kitlings sat with the rest of the pride off to one side, wide-eyed and taking everything in. Their long tails curled in front of them, and the tips flicked with interest as they looked around. An occasional furtive glance at Sybharukai made them straighten up and quit fidgeting.

Over her white, diamond-encrusted gown, Ellysetta had donned a long silver cape woven from the bloodsworn blades of her lu ‘tan. The cape trailed a full tairen length behind her, its gleaming length sewn with the thousands of Soul Quest crystals of the warriors who had fallen in her service. As she passed Shei’Kess, the great oracle began to glow with soft radiance, as if acknowledging and welcoming her.

Dorian XI, garbed in resplendent Celierian blue, nodded as she passed. Next to him stood Illona Brighthand, and though Galad Hawksheart had been invited to attend, he had sent Fanor Farsight to represent the Deep Woods elves in his stead. Queen Annoura, who had gone into seclusion to await the birth of her child, had not come. But Gaspare Fellows, his eyes damp with happy tears, stood proudly beside his king. Lord Teleos, Ellysetta’s distant cousin, stood beside Shan and Elfeya.

Tenn and Venarra had come as well. No longer serving on the Massan, they remained reluctant to embrace the many changes that Ellysetta, Rain, and now the Mirror of Knowledge had brought about, but Ellysetta was determined to put the past to rest. They had feared Ellysetta’s power, just as she had. And as Illona Brighthand had pointed out, without Tenn’s stubborn refusal to join the war, there would not have been enough warriors in Dharsa to repel the Elden invasion. The gods had woven as they would, and Ellysetta chose to make the best of it.

She smiled at her family, her quintet, Kieran and Kiel, the other familiar, now-dear faces of those gathered here. And as she swore her oath and accepted the responsibilities of becoming Ellysetta Feyreisa, Queen and Defender of the Fading Lands, she imagined that Mama and the many beloved friends who had perished were watching her, too, and smiling with approval.

Nalia, Loris’s shei’tani, carried Ellysetta’s crown, and Rain placed it on her head. A six-pointed crown of platinum, topped with six clear crystals from Lissalukai’s kiyr. As the crown touched her head, the crystals began to glow, circling her head in an aura of radiant light.

Finally, before the assemblage, Rain and Ellysetta, truemates and Tairen Souls of the Fey, pledged the fullness of their immortal lives to one another. With great dignity, Loris v’En Mahr, the newly instated leader of the Massan, called forth Tealah, the Keeper of the Hall of Scrolls, who delivered to him a large and ornately wrought golden scroll.

“By the grace and Light of the gods, Rainier vel’En Daris, son of Rajahl and Kiaria vel’En Daris, and Ellysetta Baristani vol Celay, daughter of Shannisorran and Elfeya v’En Celay, adopted daughter of Sol and Lauriana Baristani of Celieria, have joined their souls as one in shei’tanitsa. Henceforth and forevermore shall they be known as Rainier and Ellysetta v’En Daris, truemates of the Fey, Feyreisen and Feyreisa of the Fading Lands. So let it be written in the Scroll of Life. May your Light always shine, and joy be your constant companion.” Magic flashed at the bottom of the scroll, and the words Loris had just spoken appeared in gleaming golden letters.

When Rain and Ellysetta turned to the crowd, cheers arose in a great, joyous roar. “Mioralas! Rainier v’En Daris! Ellysetta v’En Daris! Feyreisa! Feyreisen! Miora felah ti’vos!” Air masters spun and showers of fragrant petals rained down in the Hall and across the city as Fey voices rose in joyous song. Outside, the tairen leapt into the air and circled the city, roaring and filling the sky with celebratory flame.

The city’s celebration continued into the night, Fey and Elves and Celierians dancing and singing and feasting together as they had not done in a thousand years. As the star the elves called Erimea rose into the night sky, the tairen gathered on the golden rooftops of the restored palace crowning Dharsa’s central mount.

«It is time, Ellysetta,» Steli called.

Rain turned and held out his hand to his truemate. “Are you ready, shei’tani?”