Chapter Thirty
My heart tried to lurchout of my chest as I waited on the dais with Indigo. The hall was filled with people—the council, nobles, the bards who were freshly released from the dungeons, and the Queen Mother.
The doors to the hall opened and Indigo’s kindreds filed through the aisle, followed by mine. My breath caught as I stared at my beautiful men in beautiful suits in their favored colors. Aster came in first in his midnight blue, then Whist in silver, Bastian in gold, Saber in scarlet, and Sky in pale blue. I wore the green and gold dress from the dragon lands. I’d asked Indigo her opinion, and she agreed wholeheartedly, since we planned to open treaty talks with the dragons as soon as possible.
Mainly, I wanted to do it for Bastian and my other kindreds since they enjoyed the dress so much. But also as a statement that we could merge cultures and lives with the dragons.
Their eyes were heated on me as they took in the sultry gown, promises of trouble later. I couldn’t wait.
Indigo’s kindreds and mine joined us on the dais, circling us, putting us each at their centers. I smiled up at them, drinking each of my kindreds in. Damn, I loved them so much. There was a small part of me, a tiny part still nervous about our future. Moving to the dragon lands, acting as ambassadors for Faligrey, living together without constant intrigue and danger, finally leaving the whirlwind behind and getting to know each other on a deeper level, trying to balance and juggle five relationships.
But as I looked at each one of them, hope and excitement drowned the worry. The five of them loved each other and loved me. We would find a way to make this work.
The royal vicar stepped forward to address the audience. “Welcome to the kindred soul bonding ceremonies for the princess and prince of Faligrey. It is my great honor to preside over these ceremonies and then crown the new Queen of Faligrey.”
He raised a handful of ties. “Prince Aster, please step forward with your kindred and her other souls.”
We obeyed, jitters skittering up and down my spine. My kindreds still circled me, leaving a hole open for the vicar to step through.
“Hold out your left arms, please.”
Our hands were steady as we brought them up and pressed them against each other.
The vicar’s voice carried across the hall. “These ties are symbols of the bonds between kindred souls, a bright thread joining you together. By agreeing to this bond, you forsake all others and commit your whole self, body and soul to your kindreds. By agreeing to this bond, you join as one with your new family. You agree to live the rest of your lives in love and faith as you age together, raise children together through darkness and light, pain and joy, comfort and danger, weakness and vigor, Without jealousy or possession, bitterness or rage, unfaithfulness or betrayal. Do you agree?”
“I do.” We said the words together.
“Then with these fetters your bonds are cemented. Now and forever until your return to stardust.”
He plucked the last tie which separated us, leaving us each with a new bracelet.
“Congratulations. You are now bound.”
I wanted nothing more than to drag my kindreds back to our rooms or into a closet somewhere so we could celebrate, but now it was Indigo’s turn.
We moved to the edge of the dais as the vicar turned to Indigo and her kindreds. “Princess Indigo has already had the ceremony with two of her kindreds, but she requested to redo it now that she has found a new one.”
I watched from my spot huddled in the middle of my guys as the vicar repeated the same vows with the other group, tears pooling in my eyes at the happiness shining from them all.
Once they finished, the vicar smiled at the crowd. “Please join me in celebrating the new bonds we have witnessed coming together today.”
The guests cheered, grinning and clapping. I caught sight of Kira in the crowd waving at us. When did she arrive? And how did she get here so quickly?
All of us but Indigo and the vicar stepped down from the dais. I sat with my kindreds on the front row and turned to watch what we had fought so hard for.
The vicar turned to Indigo. “On your knees.”
Indigo sank in a graceful movement, her dress spread out around her like a sparkling pool of water, her head bowed in humble supplication.
“Princess Indigo, do you swear to take the oath of the highest office in Faligrey?”
“I do.” Her voice rang out with conviction and strength.
“Do you give your solemn promise to govern the citizens of Faligrey with fairness and their well-being in mind according to the laws and customs?”
“I do.”
“Do you give your solemn promise to perform your duties with mercy and justice for all Faligrean citizens, be they rich or poor, commoner or noble?”
“I do.”
The vicar placed the crown on top of her head. “Then, rise Queen Indigo of Faligrey and greet your people. May your reign be long and profitable as you lead us in the next period in Faligrey’s great history.”
Tears poured down my face as Indigo stood tall, her crown glistening on top of her dark head, her chin raised in pride and confidence, her kindreds at her sides.
It almost didn’t feel real, after everything we’d done, gone through, fought for. And it finally paid off. A few short months ago, I was a starving, rebellious bard. Now I was a princess and a soon to be ambassador and music teacher to the dragon lands. Fate had been extremely busy with her plans for my life. I could only hope she was finished with whatever she wanted from me.
But if she wasn’t, I had five brilliant and beautiful kindreds at my side, and we could handle whatever she threw at us.
Indigo smiled out at the audience, at her people. “Thank you all. For your support and help. I hope you will all join us in the ballroom to celebrate. Then, tomorrow, we get to work.”
For the first time, I was proud of the monarch of Faligrey.