Let Them Kneel (kaelani and Julian) novel Chapter 226

Chapter 226

Lyressa’s expression softened, though there was quiet gravity beneath it.

“The moment Draevyn fell, the illusion fell with him,” she said. “They saw clearly what they had refused to see. That they turned away from their rightful queen out of fear and ignorance.”

Her gaze did not waver.

“They were wrong to reject you.”

The words were not dramatic. They were factual.

“They wish for the opportunity to correct that mistake. To show you the loyalty and reverence they denied you.”

“Return to the Fae Realm, even if only for a day.”

A faint smile touched her lips.

“The Seelie Court wishes to hold a feast in your honor. For what you have done for them… for us.”

Kaelani exhaled slowly, the weight of Lyressa’s words settling heavier than she expected.

“I sense a great deal of expectation behind that request,” she said. “I just became Alpha of my pack. I don’t even know if I’m mentally equipped to be a Queen.”

Julian’s head snapped back toward her.

“Wait,” he said sharply. “Did you just say you became the Alpha of your pack?”

Kaelani winced, her eyes squeezing shut for a brief second as her nose scrunched slightly.

“Look,” she said, lifting a hand defensively. “I had a plan, okay? I was going to come back, make us breakfast, and then calmly discuss all the events of this morning with you.”

Julian held her gaze.

“I very much intend to still have that discussion,” he replied evenly.

His gaze moved over her again, slower this time.

“And then,” he added, his tone tightening just slightly, “you can explain why you smell like gun smoke.”

Lyressa rose from her chair with quiet grace.

“Forgive my intrusion,” she said, stepping forward just enough to claim the space without overtaking it. “But there is something you should hear.”

Her voice carried no judgment–only quiet certainty.

“No one is ever prepared for the weight of a crown. It is not something you simply train for. It is something you grow into.”

A faint softness touched her expression.

“You question whether you are equipped. That is precisely why you are.”

“You do not crave the throne. You do not wield authority for vanity or pride. You carry it because others would suffer without you.”

She let the words breathe before continuing.

“The Unseelie do not need perfection. They need someone who will not turn away from them.”

1/2

• 20 BONUS

Her voice lowered slightly.

“And that’s you… because even when they doubted you, you stood for them.”

The words settled into Kaelani, heavier than she was prepared for.

“If I accept that title,” she said slowly, “that responsibility… will my children-” Her eyes flicked briefly to Julian before returning to Lyressa. “If I have any, of course–will they be next in line?”

Lyressa smiled gently.

“As you already know, time moves differently in the Fae realm,” she said. “When you are there, you will not age as mortals co. How long you reign is unknown. So too is who will follow you.”

She stepped a fraction closer, her tone steady and assured.

“It may be one of your children. It may be their children, or their children’s children.”

Her gaze deepened, ancient and certain.

“Our rulers are not appointed by inheritance alone. They are anointed. The gods choose. The Seers are shown the vision.”

She let that settle.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify