Valerie, April, and June stood on the balcony above the town. The ground and streets were charred and black.

“Are you ready?” June asked. In her hands was the book from under Iris’s bed, open on the page describing the summoning ritual.

Valerie swallowed. The coercion powder seemed to burn in her pocket. She had to use it any minute now. Or should she wait until after the ritual? What if she messed up when using it? Her chance would be gone. June and April would overwhelm her in a second. No, she should wait until after the ritual.

Valerie nodded. “Let’s do it.”

They took each other’s hands, and June started chanting. April followed the chant, and then Valerie. Valerie started to feel light, as if sweet-smelling flowers were blooming in her heart and head. Invisible vines grew up her limbs. They weren’t strangling her, but stroking and caressing her gently.

The chant faded, but the feeling stayed. Valerie opened her eyes. Silver rain fell from the sky. Wherever it touched, flowers and greenery sprouted from the ashes. People who had been curled up on the street stood up, confused but glowing with glee. Even the woman who had been grabbing Valerie earlier was now hugging her children in joy.

“We did it!”

Before Valerie knew it, June had thrown her arms around her in tears. “I feel it, the plague is gone.”

Valerie felt a push. She looked down, and there was April, hugging her violently, tears streaming down her face. Warmth flooded Valerie like tea on a winter’s day. For the first time, she felt like she belonged again.

Gently, she pushed her sisters away. “Let’s go and see how everyone is doing, how Jules is doing.”

April nodded and sprinted through the door.

“Hey, it’s a long way. Don’t exhaust yourself at the beginning,” June shouted, smiling as she tried to keep up with her.

Valerie followed them back into the coronation room. She stopped to look at the throne. An echo of pressure she had felt sitting there tightened her heart. She put her hand in her pocket and grabbed the coercion powder tightly. Then she threw it into the fireplace.

Never would she rule this kingdom alone again.

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Hey, thank you for staying in this story until the end. You are my heroes. Unfortunately, I have to take a longer break from posting. You are all very talented writers and I will miss you all. Thank you for reading, huby 💚