"Hold my hand. Let's write this world's fairytale ending - together."-Unknown

"...the passion contained merely kisses

placed upon lips, neck and cheek

these young lovers of the castle

of which our fairytale speaks..."

― Muse

"One love, one heart, one destiny."― Bob Marley

Three days had passed since she watched Vex breathe his last breath and few things were any clearer now. Violette had left her the one thing she had spent countless years searching for: Vex's family token. A tarnished gold coin with his family crest on it. Lore said this was given to the Mesmer's lover for protection from his gifts. The way she understood the story, the token was created by the girl's father after a particularly ugly incident with Vex's family. The father, an alchemist, forged an enchanted coin, giving it to his rebellious daughter who insisted on pursuing an affair with her father's enemy. Lost in time, she had no clue how Violette had found it. She stared into the palm of her hand and at Vex's family name pressed into the precious metal. He was the last of his kind, the last of his family line and she had killed him. There were no regrets, of that she was certain, but Lauren did feel at a loss. She had been raging at Vex for as long as she could remember and Lauren was exhausted from holding onto hate. But now she was unfettered from her past, released from a future where Vex had any part. He was dead and Bo was safe and they were in love. Onto the next chapter of their fairy tale, she smiled and dropped the coin into the bedside table's drawer.

Now, the day had come. It was finally here and Lauren was completely unprepared for it. She had been so distracted with Vex and Evony, Violette and the missing serum, and now she was to be crowned Queen Consort in front of hundreds of people and she had no idea what to expect. Was it a Fae ritual, a religious right or an order of the military? She had no clue. All she knew is that it was important to Bo and damn it, they needed this.

She stared into the mirror, searching her face for imperfections. She didn't have to look far to see the real problem. The skin beneath her eyes had started to sag from not sleeping the past three nights. She couldn't afford to look Human today. Lauren sighed and reached for the cucumber compress. She walked past the gown she was to wear today, hanging in the closet and laid on the bed, placing the compress over her eyes. It would be a miracle if it worked but she had to try. It was the last thing she remembered before she felt the bed sink behind her and Bo's perfume waft over her. Lauren inhaled her. Floral and sweet with a little spice, Bo's scent was not just what was on the bottle, her pheromones had a character all their own, musky and dark, and every bit as tempting.

Bo pressed a kiss onto Lauren's throat, leaning over her on one arm until Lauren lifted the compress and opened her eyes to Bo's vibrant smile. "Are you ready?"

Lauren sat up, frantic. "How long have I been asleep?"

Bo laughed, putting a hand on her arm. "Take it easy, you've got plenty of time." She squeezed her hand. "What I meant was, are you ready to become a Queen today?"

"To be honest?" Lauren started, looking at the compress in her hand. "No, not at all."

Bo made a face. "It's all a trick of smoke and mirrors anyway," she said. "Fact of the matter is you've been royalty for as long as I've known you."

"How so?" Lauren inquired.

"Look at you, this perfection is not meant for commoners."

"How… enlightened of you, Bo," she said skeptically.

She kissed Lauren's cheek. "You just have a quality, I can't explain it."

Lauren ran a hand through her hair. "Are we doing the right thing?"

"And here comes the doubt." Bo sighed. "Look, I've been where you are, I know it's hard but you have to believe that you are meant for this destiny."

"I believe I was meant for you," she said to her hands. "This Queen thing is… well, it's a lot of responsibility, Bo. I want to be with you, I do, but I wonder if you should crown someone more suited for this honor?"

"It's you. You're it." Bo reached across the gap between them and cupped her cheek. "Why didn't you tell me you were feeling this way before today?"

She shook her head. "I didn't want to disappoint you."

"So you don't want to go through with this? I'll tell everyone the Coronation is off if that's what you want, but Lauren, please don't short change yourself because you're feeling remorseful."

"I don't- I feel an avalanche of emotions but remorse is not one of them."

"Then what?"

Lauren sighed. "It's like we're getting married, Bo and you never even asked me."

Bo's face went slack. "Didn't I?" Lauren shook her head, her eyes doing all of the talking now. "But you seemed happy when I told you… we made love in the stables to celebrate… I don't understand."

"I will admit I was on board in theory but when I sat down and thought about it…" She sighed again. "I don't know if I'm cut out for this, Bo."

"But you are," Bo reassured. "You are a born leader. You led the Human Resistance…"

"And nobody knew it was me," she deflected.

"Maybe that's your problem," Bo reasoned. "You're scared of fame."

"I'm not scared," Lauren defended. "I'm merely put off by the idea of people bowing down to me."

Bo smirked. "You get used to it."

"I'm serious, Bo."

"So am I." Bo stood and walked around the bed to the closet and ran her hands over Lauren's gown. "Isn't this just perfect? I commissioned it months ago. You should see what else I have in store for you."

Lauren appeared behind her, dropping her chin on Bo's shoulder as she looked at the gown. "It's beautiful."

"And you're going to look amazing in it." She turned around. "It's time to put it on."

She stood at the front of the Great Hall, the room packed with guests. Guards lined the room, standing at attention in their royal dress. She could hardly believe it. Lauren looked up at the vaulted ceiling of the hall, remembering the first time she was there, after weeks of sleeping in cars and burned out buildings. Now she was in a dress of the finest quality, standing in front of a court full of Fae and Humans that were there to see her become royalty. It was truly an incredible journey.

Apart from the finery, though, little had changed for Lauren. She was still full of reservations about what was going to happen and she was very nearly ready to walk out on this runaway ceremony. She felt trapped and the panicked feeling in her gut was making it difficult not to run right out the door. She was presented with every manner of gift from various high-standing Fae officials before Bo's entrance and after that nothing else mattered.

The large wooden doors clicked open and the crowd hushed as they were pulled open by two guards, revealing the Dark Queen. Adorned in a royal gown, crown jewels and regalia Bo was a believable picture of royalty. Her gown which was passed down and re-imagined from her mother's was form-fitting vibrant blue velvet with a plunging neckline, pointed collar and flowing silk train the seemed to stretch on forever. She was slack-faced as she approached, but once she passed the last row of guests, Bo could be seen smiling at the sight of Lauren, whose own smile could only be described as one of relief. She couldn't get through this alone, but with Bo there she was reassured, refocused and ready to do what needed to be done. She was ready to become a Queen.

Lauren drank her in with her eyes. Powerful, stunning, and deadly if crossed, Bo was the embodiment of a Goddess. She moved deliberately to the front of the stage and her voice boomed in the silence of the hall.

"I know that you've all come here today to see Dr. Lewis be crowned Queen Consort, but I'm afraid that's not going to happen today." The gallery gasped and began to talk amongst themselves, and Lauren looked around, confused. Bo continued over the din of the crowd. "I'm afraid I didn't give Dr. Lewis all the credit that she's deserved of when I offered her the title of Queen Consort and I regret that." She looked at Lauren. "So today, I will be crowning Dr. Lewis Queen Regnant. She is my equal and shall be treated as such."

Lauren sucked in a breath. The crowd hushed, processing the information and then began to clap-a few bold guests to begin with and then the entire congregation of guests followed. Lauren exhaled, sending a anxious glance in Bo's direction. The Queen's eyes smiled and told her everything was still on track, everything was going to be okay. She just had to get through the ceremony.

When the crowd settled a few moments later, Bo continued, her voice carrying through the hall. "It's no secret that Dr. Lauren Lewis used to be an enemy of the crown, the leader of the Human Resistance, but when we first met, I knew there was something special, something different about Lauren. She was devoted and headstrong, her wild eyes belied something else. Something more calculating and brave. She survived my dungeon, my Blue Room, my court of opinion and she won my heart. Since then we have bartered peace, upgraded our medical facilities and quality of services offered. Our troops, now tasked with peacekeeping, are looked after by the finest medical staff and it's all due to her influence. She has been a revelation and a life saver. A friend and an upstart. I am so honored to be here with you all today to see her ascend."

Lauren swallowed. She hadn't expected speeches, much less one from Bo and she desperately tried to look unaffected by the words that had just touched her so. All this time she felt overshadowed by Bo's status so she worked like a dog-or a Human-to make things better for the colony, to find her place, and Bo had noticed. It's not that she didn't feel appreciated because Bo doted on her and complimented her constantly, but Lauren always felt a bit hollow when she had disappointed her, like she wasn't living up to her potential and was somehow less than who Bo had originally thought she was.

The doors at the end of the hall opened again and three robed figures approached, hoods up. The robes were fine blue velvet with an Imperial eagle stitched in gold thread over their hearts, an elaborate scabbard hanging from their belts. They stood before her and before she knew what was happening, she stared at the tips of three swords as they advanced and pressed against her heart. She looked over her shoulder at Bo, whose expression remained grim and then back at the three faceless figures.

What happened next, was something that would keep Lauren up at night: the first of the robed mystery figures went down on one knee before her, lowering his sword and offering it to her. "This is the Sword of Justice. Do you solemnly swear to serve your colony?"

Lauren recognized his voice and she nodded. "I do."

He laid the sword on the top stair at her feet and pulled back his hood. "I am bound to serve you." Dyson. It was Dyson. He had bowed before her and pledged his service. Lauren was speechless.

The next robed figure withdrew their sword and repeated the standard set by Dyson. "This is the Sword of Mercy. Do you solemnly swear to offer protection to those in need?"

"I do."

The Sword of Mercy was set on the second step down by her feet, his allegiance spoken. The hooded figure was Oren. He winked at her and she stifled a smile. The last sword withdrew from her chest and she breathed in deeply.

"This is the Sword of Loyalty," the last hooded figure said and Lauren would recognize that voice anywhere. "Do you solemnly swear to honor your colony with every decision you make and action you take?"

"I do."

The final sword was placed on the last step and the robed figure revealed herself to be Kenzi. Lauren could tell she was fixing to burst from her controlled confines and she smiled. Bo appeared behind her with an attendant helping to hold a royal robe. It was purple velvet, trimmed in ermine fur and it weighed a ton. Bo dressed her in front of two hundred people and Lauren felt a little self conscious about it but received the kiss on her cheek gratefully as the Bishop approached with the chrismatory. She closed her eyes as he spread the anointing oil on her forehead and chanted something unrecognizable. Was that Fae?

And then he was gone and Bo was presenting her with a scepter that she had made specially for this occasion. It was three feet long, platinum staff with an acrylic inlay of a double helix in the staff and a caduceus at its apex. It was heavy in her hand and it was her favorite thing about the whole process until Bo turned her body to face her and bowed to one knee. She lifted Lauren's other hand from her side and slid a ring onto her finger. Her heart thudded hard against her chest when Bo looked into her eyes and smiled softly. Lauren looked at her hand as Bo stood. It was a massive Marquise-cut blue Sapphire set in platinum once again, surrounded by round brilliant cut diamonds. The gem was absurdly large, but beautiful nonetheless.

Bo moved to the next attendant that held a pillow with a silver crown that sat on it. She stood before Lauren, crown held carefully in her hands and asked her the final question: "Do you solemnly swear to govern a fair and equitable society, to nourish and enrich the lives of those who serve you and to honor your word at all costs?"

Lauren swallowed and nodded. "I do."

Bo lowered the radiant crown onto her head. It fit like she was always meant for it and Lauren smiled at the congregation of well-wishers who cheered and stood, filing to the front of the hall and laying more gifts at her feet. It was a surreal imagining, this ceremonial procession before her. Bo stood beside her, smiling proudly, and Lauren began to feel the weight of the words spoken that afternoon.

Bo held her crown as she leaned into Lauren and whispered in her ear. "Just keep breathing and keep smiling, we're almost through."

"Did we just get married?" Lauren asked from behind her hand.

"Very nearly," Bo replied, with a smile.

"Oh, good," she said, laced with sarcasm. She looked at the ring again, the scale of which was impressive. When Bo caught her looking at it, she nodded knowingly.

"Ladies and gentlemen," a voice boomed through the hall. "The royal banquet will begin in thirty minutes." The instruction seemed to expand at the seams with guests paying homage to the new Queen Regnant.

"C'mon," Bo whispered into her ear, taking her hand. "I have something I want to give you before the banquet."

Bo pulled her away from the last few stragglers who approached the stage. "I don't think we have time for that."

She laughed. "You're Queen Regnant now," she said. "You make the timetable for your events."

In the hallway, Bo pulled back a curtain to reveal a private chamber that she was obviously waiting in before the ceremony. She tugged Lauren into the small room and bolted the door behind them. The walls were lined with ancient books and one small window near the ceiling from which sun streamed into the room by. She stood beside Bo in front of an antique sofa, her fingers combing the fur edges of the robe on her shoulders. Bo reached for a box she'd left on the table beside the sofa. Lauren's eyes were wide as they roamed the chamber. There were so many places she still was blind to in the castle, but one by one, Bo was showing her its secrets. This, though, this chamber was the oldest she had seen. The bookcases were ruggedly carved, the books, tattered and yellowed. All the history this room had seen.

Bo placed her hand on her arm. "This is to commemorate your coronation," she said softly. "I didn't feel right giving it to you in front of everyone."

The black leather box was set in her hands. "Bo…" She said. "You've done enough…"

"Just open it."

The box creaked as she opened it to reveal a fine glass heart with a gold lock sunken into it, a golden key was pinned to the box's interior. "Bo, I don't know what to say…"

"Say you'll keep my heart close to yours."

In the rosy light of the afternoon sunset, Bo lit a fire in the hearth. Wood crackled as Lauren set the gift down and Bo relieved her of her finery. The imperial robe rolled off her shoulders into Bo's waiting arms and she laid it on the sofa. Her platinum gown was unzipped next and she let it fall to the floor. Lauren stood before her naked and lovely, her crown still sparkling on her head. Bo smiled and stepped forward to kiss her neck before retreating again as she began to strip away the accoutrements of being Queen. Bo dropped her silk train and turned her back to Lauren to ask for assistance in unfastening the countless buttons on the back of her gown. As the lush fabric dropped to the floor, Bo took Lauren in her arms. Crowns set aside, bare skin pressed together, flushed, and breathing heavily they sunk to the floor in front of the fireplace. And there, by the light of the fire and well into the banquet's allotted time, they made love.

From under the robe that once hung from Lauren's shoulders, they lay, spent and peaceful. Lauren stared at the painted ceiling, the fire warming her from one side and her succubus Queen from the other. She smiled then, feeling Bo lean into her, her arm wrapping around her waist as her lips kissed a trail from her shoulder to her jaw.

"My Queen," Bo whispered against her ear.

And it was history in the making.

Fin.