Chapter 47
IZADELLA
The palace is alive with excitement at the upcoming coronation.
I hold the necklace Leon had made for me, calling to my metal magic. The part of me I have missed so much hums to life in my fingers. The gold at the bottom gem shifts at my touch and drips down, swirling around the edges of my Zemra stone, attaching it to the necklace so I can wear both.
Leon takes my hand as we enter the crowded throne room in our formal clothing, sharing shades of greens and golds to match our stones.
Wooden seating has been arranged in many rows. We move to the front for the best views, saved for the guests of honor. Each of the court Guardians sits with us, waiting for their time to walk on the dais to present their gifts to Nueena, but with one noticeable absence.
Camarra.
Seed Keeper, Guardian of the Court of Green, and Everett’s mother is still missing. I hope they find her so she can stand trial, but I never wish to see her again. She has the same eyes as Everett, bright with a false warmth. They both hid their deceit deeply and had us all fooled.
Memories flood back of that seaside prison I’d expected to die in. Sadness claws at me, the reminder that death hovered so near for days on end at Everett’s hand, that his mother had known of his plan. Encouraged his deranged ideas of power.
Leon feels my pain, his own joining it. The intimacy of the bond.
No way to hide, but maybe we never needed to.
His regrets slip around his soul as his arm does around my shoulders, his soft lips pressing into my temple.
He is so warm, our love for each other pushing away the darkness like sunshine against storm clouds.
I lean against him, eyes closed, soaking in the beauty of this soulbond, the magic tying us together forever. How breathtaking it is to know without any doubt how much his devotion and reverence for me is sweetness in his soul.
He pulls me deeper into his arms, so grateful for my forgiveness, overwhelmed as I am at my love for him. I’m so lost in our connection I don’t notice Kaylena approaching until she jumps straight into my lap.
“You’re back! You’re back!” she shrieks with joy and grabs both sides of my cheeks, squishing my face together. I stick my tongue out and look at my nose. She squeals in delight, her giggles echoing around us.
Viella sits next to me, Lillian following with Vaylin.
Music swells, and the room stands as one.
“Lili!” Kaylena reaches out for Lillian, who can hold her higher than I can. Lillian takes the youngest royal from me, twin smiles on their faces, and Kaylena waves at the crowd behind her.
I’m practically vibrating. My excitement makes me giddy.
Leon wraps his arms around me, swaying us from side to side to release some of my energy. I have waited so long to see Nueena ascend the throne.
The doors open with a blast of trumpets. Tavien and Nueena follow her parents down the rose-petal aisle, each row bowing silently as she passes by.
Her smile grows when she reaches our row and graces us with a small nod. Pride shines on all of our faces. Viella sniffles next to me. I link our fingers together and squeeze. She steps close, resting her head on my shoulder.
“It’s finally her time.” Viella’s words wobble, filled with emotion.
I can only nod, lost for anything to say. This is finally happening.
Alachite follows Nyvenah, who gracefully walks up the steps of the dais, followed by Nueena.
They turn to face the crowd under the sparkling lights surrounding the navlue tree while crystals on strings branch out in every direction, attaching to the smaller trees around the ballroom, making the whole ceiling glimmer.
Nueena stands before her realm with regal grace in the Court of Ellova purple.
Around her neck is a band of flowers, with sheer panels crossing over her chest and over her bare arms that swoop low behind her.
The sweetheart gown underneath is a darker shade with enchanted bright roses that get larger as they go down the sides of her hips, golden leaves under it all.
She kisses her parents on each cheek and stands in front of the twisted tree and entwined ivy of the Ellovian throne.
Shimmering gemstones that represent each court are set in an arch just above the throne’s high backrest. Behind them is the magnificent statue of the goddess Ellova, standing tall, spiral moss climbing up her stone body.
Carved hair reaches her feet with an enchanted flower crown just above her beautiful frozen smile.
Five empty marble pedestals are on one side of Nueena.
Tavien stands just to the side of her. His eyes shine just for his Zemra, love and devotion chiseled in every bit of his handsome face.
Nyvenah speaks. “Welcome to a new era as my daughter takes my place as Realm Keeper. Each court may present their gift of loyalty. It is the greatest honor to pass stewardship of Ellova to my daughter. She will make us all proud as Realm Keeper.” She takes a step back as we all sit down.
The last of the navlue blossoms bloom, signaling the start of the coronation.
The Guardians from each court stand, making their way to Nueena, who now stands next to the first pedestal.
The golden guard who carries the yellow flag of the Court of Gems follows Lazalai, who strides up the steps and bows dramatically, a yellow silk pillow in her palms, presenting the gift that shines under the crystal lights.
“From the court of artisans, your creators of art, your guardians of culture.” She holds out the elegant necklace with its bright citrine stone the size of a walnut and offers it to Nueena, who laughs at the flourish with which the necklace is presented to her before joyfully accepting it.
It would show favoritism for her to wear the necklace tonight, so it is laid carefully down on the pedestal, but I do not miss how her eyes linger just a moment longer on my court’s offering.
I helped design it with Lazalai months ago. Nueena glances at me and I give her a mischievous smile.
The Court of Shells ascends the dais next.
Koray, the Wave Keeper and Guardian, holds a long fishing spear covered entirely with bright white pearls, delicate light green gems, and seaweed that artfully hangs over pale purple sea glass wrapped around a sharp coral tip.
Their short blond hair falls in front of deep blue eyes as they bow before Nueena.
“From the court of the tide, your wishes in the waves, your hand in the current.”
Nueena accepts the gift with graceful hands, bowing to Koray before turning to place the spear gently against the second pedestal.
They reach out their hand to Nueena, who takes it, squeezing it affectionately.
Koray leans in, whispering what must be kind words as Nueena’s eyes turn glossy.
She smiles gratefully, nodding before Koray exits the dais.
Following behind Koray is someone I have never seen before, her face downtrodden.
She carries a golden cornucopia with shaking hands, filled with enchanted preserved fruit, grains, and vegetables that lie atop a base of golden wheat that falls loosely out of it, all of it wrapped in green ribbon.
The bounty of Ellova sits on a satin pillow the color of moss and she offers it to Nueena.
“I am here on behalf of the Court of Green. You have all of our deepest apologies for our Guardian’s absence. Please accept this gift from the court of provisions, your hand in the soil, your realm kept nourished.” Bowing deeply, she passes her gift over.
Nueena accepts it with a kind smile, adding it to the third pedestal.
Bria, the Guardian for the Court of Swords, strides up to the throne, her crimson flag standing out among the pastel shades that paint the ballroom. On her deep red pillow, almost the same hue as her hair, she holds out a long obsidian dagger set in an intricate silver handle.
With her voice loud and clear, Bria declares, “From the court of defenders, your blade and your bow, shield and arrow.”
Nueena takes the dagger and moves it in her hand to admire the way the light reflects off the jagged black stone before setting it down.
The last court to present their gifts is the Court of Ink.
Reyna gracefully approaches, two small moon moths in her hair.
Her gown, the same shade of pale green as their wings, drapes down low, revealing her copious tattoos.
Nueena’s smile at the librarian is wider than of all the court Guardians she has greeted tonight.
The guards stand, holding the black Ink Court’s flag proudly. One holds a thick scroll wrapped around two golden spindles.
Reyna’s hands are energetic in their motion, her expression one of pride for a dear friend as she makes vows for the Court of Ink.
I whisper to Leon, who moves low, so my lips graze his ear, “From the court of wisdom, your history preserved, your knowledge everlasting.’’
When Reyna has finished, Nueena’s golden eyes are a bit glassy, and she takes the scroll Reyna presents to her. Nueena does not open it but holds it to her chest for a moment before adding it to the line of gifts.
The Guardians all stand before her as Nueena bows to them and everyone behind them. The entire crowd bows deeply back to her. Once the crowd has risen it erupts in cheers and the music plays.
Alachite stares at his daughter, pride shining in his eyes.
Nyvenah approaches the navlue tree next to the Ellovian throne. Its deep purple branches display its beautiful flowers, the fruit dangling from it, perfectly ripened. The rare and sacred fae food only grows when a new heir is to be crowned.
She takes the sacred fruit, places it on a silver platter, and holds it out to her daughter, who peels the bright green rind.
It’s a deeper shade than the one Grayden forced me to eat. His cruelty and the phantom flavor of it sours my stomach but I shove the memory away. Leon’s anger boils in the bond, so I stand on my toes to kiss his cheek.
Just a passing pain. I won’t let dead men taint my closest friend’s coronation. It is a blessed day.
Once the fruit is completely peeled, Nueena savors each piece. The rest of the hanging fruit will be pressed, and the juice will be served at dinner to the royal family and guests.
If Camarra were here, she would play a role in this part of the ceremony since she tended to the tree, but Nueena waves her hand, all of the flowers swirling towards her. Using her magic, she brings the flowers together in a long garland that floats behind her and hangs over the throne’s headrest.
Now is the moment.
Queen Inara’s circlet still glitters on Nueena’s head, but her mother places the Realm Keeper’s crown on her daughter. The golden swirls hold large diamonds and bright gemstones, with tall points that end in amethyst. It nestles perfectly inside the circlet, almost looking like one headpiece.
Nyvenah holds Nueena’s hand up to the crowd. “I pass on this crown as a symbol of your royal leadership. You now take my place as Realm Keeper.”
Tears well up in my eyes and the crowd cheers as Nueena sits on her new throne, Realm Keeper of the Fae.
As the throne acknowledges she is the rightful heir and accepts her new rule, it transfers to her the magic of Ellova. It swirls around her, rising up from the throne. The magic glitters and glows, rushing into her. She was powerful before, but now all of Ellova’s magic is at her fingertips.
A rumbling starts low beneath the Ellovian throne, shaking the floor. Nueena’s smile falters, quickly replaced by panic.
Someone behind me screams.