48. Reyla
48
REYLA
S troking Farris’s head as he sat beside me, I gazed out into the sea of rapt faces. Doubt and defiance shone in many of their eyes. They challenged me while others refused to hold my gaze, theirs dropping away quickly. I understood why they might be confused. To them, I was a high-born lady, a daughter of both Bledmire and Weldsbane Courts, monarchies that rivaled their own. They expected me to behave like them, to cling to the hierarchy as fiercely.
Inside, I was still an orphan raised in a border fortress, skilled in combat and dragon training, not the schemes and intrigues of a high court.
I might tremble, but fuck, I would not show it.
My brother would know how to handle this, and I wished I'd had more time to learn from him. Wished I could’ve found a way to tell him and Tempest that I was alright.
But was I ?
I lifted my chin and met each of the stares of my people.
I'd make this work one way or another. I would prove myself worthy, if not of their admiration, then at least their respect.
Merrick squeezed my hand before releasing it. He watched me through hooded eyes shining with encouragement and concern. Knowing he’d stand beside me, no matter what, helped. Yet in this, I wanted to rise to my own two feet. If I leaned on him for much longer, I'd never show this court I could grab onto the reins and make this dragon obey.
“Moira. Calista. Faelith,” I said, my voice echoing through the room. “Come forward.”
They hurried over to stand in front of me, all three dipping in deep curtsies. They rose, their expressions full of anticipation and dread. They must expect me to renege on my decision, to tell them I’d decided to continue the original traditions of the court. Sorry, and all that.
“Calista?” I asked, my voice weighed down with gravel. My throat ached, but I would not let it show. “Do you still desire this new status?”
She hesitated for only a moment before nodding. “I do.”
“Moira?”
She smiled warmly, her eyes sparkling with so much hope it gutted me. “I do as well, my queen.”
“Faelith? Please know you can step back if you wish. I won’t force this.”
Surren watched her intently, resolve deepening the blue of his eyes. He loved her. He wanted this for them, but if she said no, I sensed he would respect her decision.
“I want this, my queen,” she said grandly .
A collective gasp echoed in the room.
With each exchange, the room had fallen quieter, and the only sound now was the soft rustle of gowns and the distant echo of footsteps in the antechamber beyond. The impact of my decision shot through the audience, and I suspected this change would ripple through this court for a very long time.
I took in my ladies, standing tall in front of me, and I knew we were on the brink of something extraordinary. This moment was not only about giving them the title and status; it was about granting them empowerment and the courage to defy expectations.
All would see and know that nothing would be forbidden in my court.
Lord Briscalar emerged from the doorway beyond the throne room, followed by several servants who walked sedately on either side of a hovering silver platter. It gleamed in the soft light, holding items essential for the ceremony. My heart bruised itself against my ribs as the gravity of what I was about to do sunk in.
He approached me, his eyes filled with dismay as he leaned in close. “Are you alright, my lady? Are you sure you wish to proceed?”
I nodded, tightening my grip on the arms of my throne to hide their shake. Merrick's approving gaze made my skin tingle as I stood to take charge of the ceremony.
“Lords and Ladies of Evergorne Court,” I said in a voice loud enough to fill the room. “Moira, Calista, and Faelith have consented, and they will now be granted high lady status.” As the words left my mouth, a sense of accomplishment washed over me. This was only the beginning, but it was a crucial step toward a more equal and just court. “Surren, please ask my guard to line up behind my soon-to-be high ladies.”
They obeyed, their faces stoic, their eyes showing a hint of pride in my actions.
I walked over to stand in front of Calista, the oldest of the three. She looked at me with a mix of hope and fear in her eyes, and her posture remained tight. Turning, I met Lord Briscalar's gaze, thankful he'd insisted I practice this in front of him until it felt seamless. I carefully lifted one of the magical pendants from the platter, its delicate strands sparkling in the light, the stone a dark night winking with one solitary star.
“Calista,” I said. ”With this pendant, I grant you high lady status.”
Pulling in a deep breath, she bowed forward to receive the magical charm. I placed the gleaming strand over her head, letting the pendant slide into position at her exposed throat. When the necklace touched her skin, it vanished, fusing within her.
A gasp escaped her lips, and her hand flew to her neck. “It's gone.” Awe whispered through her words. “But I can feel it. It's now a part of me.”
“Yes, it is, high lady.”
I gave her a smile before moving on to Moira and Faelith, repeating the process with each of them.
The ceremony concluded, the atmosphere in the room full of excitement tainted with anger .
I'd made friends today.
And I'd fanned the flames of the rage burning inside my enemies.