Crucible and the Crown (Misfits of Magic Book 3)

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

The Winter Palace was a massive, sprawling structure that was located high on top of a wide cliff so that it overlooked the entire Winter Kingdom. The palace was made of large slabs of white stone that glistened like freshly fallen snow, with wide battlements and towering turrets representing a time long past.

The large drawbridge had been left open the night of the ceremonial ball, welcoming in guests from all over the six realms. Temporary portals had been set up under a large canopy, with a covered, torch-lined walkway leading straight through the palace gates. The outdoor entrance afforded guests a stunning view of the palace and kingdom as pretty snowflakes danced and fluttered through the air.

Guards stood at attention by the main entrance, allowing guests with invitations to pass through undisturbed. Those without invitations would be quickly escorted away from the premises, though only the suicidal would try to break through the magical wards surrounding the palace.

Inside the palace on the main floor, the ballroom was a resplendent display of the wealth, power, and prestige that came with being royalty. The glittering floor was made of pure crystal that shimmered in the light emanating from the glowing torches placed on each of the pillars around the room. More light was coming from several chandeliers made of blue crystals that were hanging overhead.

Jackie stood in the shadows on the third-floor balcony next to her mate while they studied the guests in the ballroom below. The crowd was a sea of colorful gowns, robes, and suits in every color imaginable. It was an eclectic mix of modern fashion and traditional styles that made a beautiful statement.

Most of the guests were seated at the round tables set up on the outer rim of the large room enjoying the lavish meal that had just been served. Other people were gliding across the dance floor to the lovely music played by the orchestra seated in a section on the second-floor balcony that wrapped around the entire circumference of the ballroom.

She smiled as she glanced at their friends who were seated at a few of the private tables on the second-floor balcony. It was a little odd seeing them all dressed in formal wear, but she had to admit that they all looked damn good.

Kami, Sapphire, Devon, Jilli, and Lia Sparks were all wearing beautiful gowns, while Raiden and Kellen Cruz were dressed in black tuxes that had been custom-made to fit their massive shifter bodies. In contrast, Braxton was dressed in all black robes in a style that most of the gods preferred, while Ramsey wore the flowing fae robes in red and gold, representing the Summer Kingdom.

Although they were enjoying a meal, their friends had agreed with Micah’s decision not to eat or drink anything that they didn’t provide for themselves. No one wanted to fall victim to whatever machinations were going on, and the safest way to avoid that was to take precautionary measures. However, that had been easy to resolve since Braxton, Devon, Sapphire, and Raiden had used their god powers to provide whatever they needed.

Dressed in the colors representing the Winter Kingdom, Jackie was wearing a gorgeous silver and ice blue gown that left her shoulders bare, and a pair of glittering crystal heels that made her legs look miles long through the side slit. Her white-blonde hair had been styled to perfection so most of it fell down her back in loose curls. The sides had been pulled up to secure the sparkling diadem fae crown on the top of her head so the large center stone rested on her forehead.

Next to her, Micah was dressed in bold blue and silver fae robes. His shoulder-length black hair had been pulled back and secured at the nape of his neck, and he was also wearing a diadem fae crown, yet his was a simpler style made only of metal.

She had wanted a minute or two of quiet to center herself, but he had refused to leave her side. She didn’t mind, though.

She would rather be with him than without…always.

The night she had been waiting for had finally come, and she felt strangely calm about the whole thing. Unlike the warmth and welcome of the party in the Shifter Realm a week ago, the ball in the Winter Palace was a formal, reserved affair. If she’d had her choice, the entire night would have been planned out to be a little less elaborate. She understood the need for formality, but she had no clue who half of the people in the ballroom were.

They weren’t there for her. They were simply there for the prestige. But she couldn’t really blame them for that.

Being invited to a royal event was always about status.

“Nervous?” Micah asked softly.

“Actually, I’m not. And I think that is why I feel a little weird. I should be. I thought I would be anxious and worried. We know something is going to happen tonight, but I’m not afraid.” She glanced over at him and smiled as she took his hand in hers. “Not when I know we can face whatever it is together.”

“We can,” he said, leaning down to brush his lips over hers.

“Get a room,” a voice teased behind them.

They turned to see Crispin walking toward them wearing pale blue robes that matched the color of Jackie’s dress. Since Dillion and Andrea were guarding the area, they knew that no one they didn’t trust would have been let through without their permission.

While Jackie and Kami took after their father’s coloring, Crispin looked more like their mother, with the same dark blond hair and gray eyes. He was tall, with an elegant, lean frame that most fae males had. He had cut his hair short to fit in better at the university and hospital in the Human Realm, but without a glamour to hide them, his pointed ears were more visible with the shorter style.

“Hey, Cris! I told you that you didn’t need to come back,” Jackie said as she hugged her brother. “I know you’re so busy with work and school.”

“You’re my sister. Of course, I had to come see you take the throne. I wouldn’t miss this for worlds.” Crispin held onto her hands and leaned back to look at her. “Are you ready to become queen?”

“I am.”

He studied her face for a second or two in silence before saying, “Are you sure they will step down? I…have a bad feeling about tonight.”

“Join the club,” Micah muttered.

Crispin nodded. “You sense it, too.”

“Yeah,” Micah confirmed. “But we might as well get this the hell over with. Either they stay true to their word and step down peacefully, or they pull some shit, and we handle whatever it is. Regardless of what happens tonight, Jackie will be Queen of the Winter Kingdom.”

Crispin started to say something, then he closed his mouth again and nodded solemnly. He turned away abruptly and started to walk away.

“Cris?”

He turned back, and his face looked strained for a moment. Then, he smiled and said, “I look forward to pledging my loyalty to the new queen.”

Jackie watched him walk away and waited until he disappeared from view before she turned back to Micah. “Something is off with him.”

“You think he has something to do with whatever is going to happen tonight?”

She shook her head. “I don’t believe he would ever betray me.”

“What if he has no choice?” Micah asked softly.

“Still. Cris would never hurt me,” she insisted. “I know it.”

Micah really hoped she was right, but he had sensed something off about the fae male as well. Crispin was hiding something. There was no doubt about that. But what it was, he wasn’t sure. Until he could figure that out, he would protect his mate from any perceived threat…even if it turned out to be her brother.

She sent him a shaky smile. “I bet you are really regretting being mated to a royal right about now.”

Micah cupped her face in his hands. “I have never regretted a single moment with you, and I never will. I love you, Jackie. I have loved you since the day we first met. Whatever happens tonight and in the future, we’ll deal with it. Together.”

Jackie tried to speak, but her emotions left her feeling choked up. Waves of love for him overwhelmed her. Since the day they had first met, he had never hesitated to adapt to her plans and adjust his life to suit her needs. It was difficult to accept such generosity without feeling unworthy. She wasn’t sure what she’d done to deserve that kind of devotion, but she would make sure that she never took it for granted.

Switching to their bond, she spoke from the heart. “Being mated to you is the greatest honor of my life. I know being a ruler of a fae kingdom isn’t a future you ever considered before meeting me, but I want to thank you for supporting me and standing beside me through everything.”

He reached out and took her hands in his. “You were always meant to be queen, and you were always meant to be mine. The choice was simple.”

“And you were always meant to be mine. I love you, Micah. I always have, and always will. You make me proud to be your mate, and I thank the gods for bringing you into my life.”

Leaning in she pressed her lips to his in a sweet kiss. It was a whisper-soft seal to an unspoken promise between them.

Resting his forehead against hers, he sighed. “Remember, no separating. No matter what happens, you stay by my side.”

“I will.”

“Let’s go back down and check in with our friends before this shit show begins.”

Instead of teleporting down to the second-level balcony, they decided to take the long way. But before they even reached the stairs, Andrea walked over to join them.

“Princess.” Andrea gave a small bow of her head. “They are calling for you.”

Jackie met Micah’s gaze. “It’s time.” She took a deep breath, then squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. “Let the games begin.”