The Ice Diamond Cuff (Custodian Novel #4) (30 page)

Faedra pushed herself up and let her hands
wander over her stomach. She smiled. There wasn't even the hint of
a bump yet, but a new life was growing there, safe and warm. She
only hoped she could be half the mother she remembered hers to
be.

Faen entered the balcony. "Etyran and Jocelyn
have returned."

Faedra looked up, noticing Faen's gaze drop
to where her hands were still caressing her belly. His eyes shone
with pride as he brought them back to meet his wife's. They said
nothing for a brief moment. They didn't need to.

Bringing herself back to the here and now,
Faedra broke the silence. "Did they find Tiernan and Ena?"

"They did."

"Are they alive?"

Faen smiled. "Yes, they await your presence
in the library."

Faedra grabbed hold of Faen's hand on her way
past him. "We need Derian," she said.

"I will find him and meet you outside the
library."

When they reached the bottom of the stairs,
Faedra reached up to kiss her husband before they parted and
continued on in opposite directions.

She was waiting outside the door to the
library when Faen returned a while later with Umor's king. She
steeled her nerves and prayed Jalia was right in her assumption of
the Alsian king and queen, that they had nothing to do with the
attack on her father and his realm. Her prayers were answered as
she opened the door to the library and strode in.

Tiernan and Ena were seated close together in
two of the reading chairs. Etyran and Jocelyn were standing behind
them keeping a watchful eye over their new guests. The Alsian's
faces were grimy, and even though they were made of ice, they
looked disheveled. Tiernan had hold of his wife's hands that were
resting on his lap.

As Faedra and Faen walked further into the
room, Ena looked up, her tears streaking track marks down her
cheeks. Tiernan dropped her hand and stood. He shot a surprised
look at Derian, but as Faedra reached him, he lowered his head.
"Your Majesty, we cannot begin to tell you of our sorrow upon
hearing the news of your father and what Zaven did to your
realm."

"Thank you."

"I promise you, we knew nothing of his plan
until he took us captive. We have no quarrel with Azran and do not
have any reason to want to enter the World of Men."

"I believe you. You look like you have been
through your fair share of torment at Zaven's hands."

Ena looked down at her lap and closed her
eyes. Faedra could relate to that show of grief.

"We will do whatever it takes to repair the
damage that has been done," Tiernan continued.

Faedra squared her shoulders. He could never
return her father, that damage was irreparable, but she would see
some good come of this. "Umor is helping restore Azran back to its
original state."

Tiernan stiffened and cast another unsavory
glance at Derian. The subtle shift was not lost on the new queen.
"I, therefore, have two requests I wish of you. If you, in fact,
wish to honor your prior declaration."

"Anything, Your Majesty."

"Good." Faedra lifted her arm and pushed back
her sleeve. "Zaven took something from me, and I want it back." She
saw the look of recognition in Tiernan's eyes when they took in the
exquisite piece of jewelry. Ena also took an interest in the cuff
bracelet. "You know what this is?"

"Yes."

"Can you reverse it?"

Tiernan looked up from the bracelet and
glanced over at his wife. She nodded.

"My wife has that ability. She can reverse
it."

"Good," Faedra said again. She gestured for
Derian to step forward. He took hold of Faedra's other hand,
garnering them both a bemused look from the Alsian's leaders. Ena
stood and moved towards Faedra. She took hold of Faedra's wrist and
placed her hands over the bracelet. After sucking in a breath, she
looked up at the queen, her eyes shining with uncertainty. "Are you
sure?" she asked.

Faedra drew in a shaky breath. "Quite sure,"
she said, sounding much more confident than she felt.

"Very well, then." Ena closed her eyes and
started murmuring something in a different language. Faedra could
feel the power seep out of the bracelet, back into her skin. Heat
and raw energy snaked around her arm taking up residence in every
cell, continuing its journey over her shoulders, down her back,
across her torso. She could feel it nestling into her body, as if
snuggling intimately into a loved one who'd been missed. Before
long, she could feel it filling her from her fingertips to her
toes. Thankfully, Derian's touch was keeping the inexorable fire at
bay...for now.

Ena let go of the bracelet and took a step
back. She bowed her head. "It is done."

"Thank you."

Tiernan spoke next. "You mentioned two
requests, Your Highness. What is the second?"

"I want there to be peace between Alsius and
Umor."

Tiernan and Derian glared at each other. Both
men's lips tightening to a thin line of defiance.

"Tiernan," Faedra warned. "Whatever your
quarrel with each other is, it has to stop. We defeated Zaven and
his army without my powers. I will not hesitate to defend Umor
should the need arise," she stated, the authority in her voice
surprising even her. "Do we have an agreement?"

A moment passed. Tiernan brought his frosty
gaze back up to meet Faedra's determine one. "We do."

"Good. Shake on it," Faedra ordered.

Both men shot her a bemused look.

Of course. They weren't from the World of
Men. She had a feeling she would be introducing many new customs
into her new world throughout her reign as queen. "Clasp your
opposite hands together and shake," Faedra instructed, using Faen
to help her demonstrate. "It is a legally binding contract," she
added for good measure.

Derian held his free hand out to Tiernan.
After a moment of hesitation, the Alsian king took it and they both
gave a definitive shake.

"Good. Well, that's that settled then,"
Faedra said with a smile. "Tiernan, Ena, you are more than welcome
to stay and rest for a while, or Etyran can take you home, if you
wish."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Ena said. "I
would like to rest a while."

"Okay. Let Etyran know when you are ready to
leave."

Faedra held her free hand out to Faen, and
they walked out of the library. Now to the next task at hand,
easing back into her powers. She had a feeling it was going to be a
long night. However much it appealed to her, it really wasn't very
practical to hold hands with someone 24/7. She had to pee at some
point.

***

The next week flew by in a blur. With the
help of Jalia and Derian, Faedra was learning to take control of
Savu's power again. It had been a struggle, but she was winning.
The city of Azran was almost completely back to normal now. Its
people had been told about the sad demise of their king, but they
seemed to accept the news with courage and unwavering spirit. They
were now scurrying around preparing the great city for the
coronation of its new queen and her king. There was a buzz of
excitement in the air, and Faedra was thriving on it.

It was the day before Faedra was to be
officially crowned as the ruler of that realm. The castle, too, was
buzzing with activity. The corridors had been swathed with garlands
of flowers, their fragrance delighting the nostrils of all who
walked within her walls. Faedra and Faen stood in the doorway of
the great hall, which was being decorated beyond recognition.

"Nervous?" Faen asked.

"A little."

Servants darted about. Some were putting the
finishing touches on the elaborate decorations, others were setting
up row upon row of gold colored chairs to receive the guests for
the coronation. Every realm would be represented, including the
World of Men.

Faedra had bent one of her father's previous
rules. She figured her family and two best friends already knew her
'little secret', so what was the harm of inviting them to Azran?
She thought they had every right to see where it was they helped
liberate. Just as she was thinking that they should be arriving any
minute, she heard a squeal from the end of the corridor. Faedra
leaned back and looked down the passageway, she couldn't suppress
the giggle that burst forth. A very excited Jocelyn was careening
towards her, spirited hands fluttering up in front of her. Faedra
fleetingly wondered why the fairy didn't fly when she was in a
hurry. She was sure Jocelyn forgot she even had wings
sometimes.

"They're here!" Jocelyn called as she got
half way down the hallway.

Faedra had instructed Etyran to materialize
with her friends and family just outside the castle gates. She
couldn't help but feel pride for her new home. She wanted to see
the looks on their faces as the doors were opened and they got to
take in the castle for the first time.

She grabbed her husband's hand. "Come on,
let's go!"

Once outside, Faen scooped his wife up and
flew with Jocelyn over the wall to greet their new guests. After
all the hugs and greetings were exchanged, Faedra turned and rapped
on the immense wooden gates. They swung open gracefully, revealing
what was previously hidden from view. Faedra wasn't disappointed by
her family's and friend's reactions. Craning their necks to take in
the enormity of the castle, their mouths dropped open one-by-one,
as if doing their own mini Mexican wave.

"Wow," the girls breathed, almost in-sync.
"You live here?"

Uncle Leo just nodded his head in approval
and reached up to ruffle his niece's hair. "Not bad, Fae. Not bad
at all."

"Thanks, Uncle Leo." Faedra shot her uncle a
warm smile. "Come on, everyone. Let me show you around."

***

As Faedra and Faen were being primped and
preened the next morning, Faedra wondered why she had even bothered
going to bed at all. She hadn't slept a wink. Nerves, excitement
and a whole host of other emotions were twirling around inside her
like a whirlwind. It certainly didn't help with the power
containment factor. She took in a deep breath, calming her energy
as Erin placed the last pin in her hair. She didn't think blowing
up the leaders of the seven realms would make a very good first
impression.

"Ready?" Faen held his hand out.

Faedra smiled and nodded. Accepting her
husband's hand, she rose from her chair.

The vicar was standing on the dais next to
the thrones as Faen and Faedra entered the great hall. Trumpets
announced their arrival as they walked hand-in-hand down the length
of the room, acknowledging members of nobility from other realms,
as they did. When they reached the end and sat down, Faedra scanned
the front row. All the people she loved most in the world were
there. Her dad gave her a wink. Amy and Zoe gave a little wave
making Faedra's nerves slip away like butter off a hot knife.

She wasn't really sure how long the ceremony
lasted, or what was said, so many thoughts were racing through her
head. Her uncle was recording it on his cell phone, so at least she
would get to see it when she eventually returned to reality. The
next thing she knew, the vicar was standing in front of her. He had
picked up her crown from a velvet cushion held by a young fae girl
and was now holding it above her head. Faen covered her hand with
his. This was it.

As the vicar lowered her crown, he spoke the
words so everyone in the hall could hear. "By the powers vested in
me, I crown you Queen Faedra of Azran." He turned and retrieved
Faen's crown from the velvet cushion behind him, held by a young
fae boy. He repeated the action. "I crown you King Faen of
Azran."

The crowd erupted with applause. Those who
were wearing head pieces threw them in the air.

Smiling, Faedra leaned over to her husband.
"I guess this means I'm not a Custodian anymore."

Faen looked into her eyes. "Oh, you will
always be a Custodian...custodian of my heart."

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

It takes a lot of people to bring a book to
life and mine is no different. With that in mind I am going to
mention each and every one of the wonderfully supportive network of
people who helped me. So, if you are sitting comfortably, I shall
begin.

My wonderful beta-readers (in alpha order).
Alyssa, Andi, Jos, Mary Jo, Merilyn, and Shana. Your feedback and
ideas helped me mold and shape the story into what it is today.

Marisa Wagner, my awesome editor. Your
attention to detail is amazing. You took my words and made them
sing.

My cover designer, Linda Boulanger of
Tell-Tale Book Covers, whose creativity shines through on every
cover she designs.

Cheryl Hughes, one of my Facebook fans for
your suggestion of Malachite and Moonstone as a name for Faen &
Faedra’s wedding presents. I asked my Facebook fans for some ideas
of names and got some amazing responses. It was a tough
decision.

To my Facebook and Twitter fans for hanging
out with me over the past few years. You guys are great!

And last, but by no means least, my soul
mate. Your never ending love and support knows no bounds. I love
you.

Thank you to you all.

About the Author

Alison Pensy was born and raised in England.
She grew up near a medieval city, which is where much of the
inspiration for her books comes from. Moving to the States in 2001,
she eventually settled near a small town in mid Missouri with her
menagerie of animals.

Alison also runs her own tax and accounting
business and started writing when she became so fed up with the
real world, she decided to create her own.

Please visit her website at
www.alisonpensy.com
.
She loves to hear from her readers, so feel free to leave comments
or ask questions. You can also find her on Facebook at
Author-Alison Pensy/Adrianna Blakeley. She loves to chat with
readers, so come on by and say hi.