Chapter 31
CHAPTER
THIRTY-ONE
Elara barely slept, and she’s quiet and withdrawn.
None of us dare ask what’s wrong because we all sense the loss of Eversor keenly.
He flung us from the room and trapped us outside, and I feared the worst. Bellami was the only one who seemed mildly confident he wouldn’t kill her.
I guess he was right. Even so, it seems to have taken something from her, along with everything else she did and saw yesterday.
All night and morning, we try to cheer her up, but it’s not working. We are at a loss.
Ever since we stepped into her court, it’s clear she has felt the weight of leadership.
I just hope we can help ease that burden.
I miss her small smile, hard fought for and won, and I know the others do as well.
Instead, we stay by her side, easing her stress as much as we can.
We collect food, Luan helps her bathe, and Bellami and I help her dress and get ready.
Gone are the baggy clothes bought off the rack, and now she covers herself in luxury designers like armour.
The outfit she wears today almost buckles my knees.
The top is cut like a dress in gauzy gold material that cups her breasts then flares out, but under it are black leather trousers with gilded designs across the sides.
Bellami somehow curls her hair into an elaborate updo, and when she turns to us, the full effect is awe-inspiring.
She looks every inch the queen she is, yet her eyes are sad as she glances behind us at a painting of her mother.
Stepping forward, I take her hand. “She would be proud of you. Are you ready? If you aren’t, we can make them wait. No one would dare barge in here with us at your side.”
Her lips twitch a little, and I feel like roaring in victory, but the bear is subdued, sensing his mate’s troubled feelings. “No, I’m ready. They’ve been waiting all this time for me.” She clutches my hand. “Will you stay with me though?”
“They would have to tear my dead body from your side,” I vow as I raise her hand and kiss it gently. Her eyes lighten a bit, and she nods, holding my hand as she sweeps from her rooms.
The corridors are a mess of cleaning supplies and half-hung paintings. It seems the court has been busy. That knowledge appears to cheer her up a little bit, and for that, I’m grateful.
Once we reach the double door to the throne room, her hand slips from mine to press against my arm instead, and I stand taller at her side.
I should step back, but I will not deny her anything she wishes.
If she wants me at her side, then so be it.
The doors open without fanfare, and she steps into the room.
Every woman instantly gets to their feet where they were gathered around tables and chairs, and every head turns to her.
I don’t need Luan’s powers to sense their devotion and love as she floats across the room to the throne.
Once there, I sink to my knees at her side just in case she needs me, and the grateful look she shoots me indicates I made the right decision.
She flares her skirt out before she sits, and when she does, the rest of the room sits as well. “I will not keep you long, since we have much to do, but I thought some discussions and announcements were too important to wait.”
I watch the crowd carefully. These might be her people, but I will never let her face anyone who will hurt her again. She is capable and powerful, but everyone needs someone. Her eyes flit to me for a moment, and she smiles softly before looking at her people.
“So much has happened, so much we must heal and rebuild from, and we all grieve for those we have lost. Later, we will host burial rites. It will not bring them back, but they would be glad we are free now. My mother—” Her voice stutters, and waves of her pain reach me.
Before I realise I’ve moved, I place my hand on her leg.
She takes a deep breath, and I see Bellami grabbing her other hand, while Luan and Frost stand behind her, offering her strength.
There is a space in front of her where Eversor should be, though, and I know that makes her hurt more.
“She would want this place to be reborn, and for her and those we lost, that is what we will do. What you have faced here cannot be undone or overlooked, however. This was a sanctuary, a place of protection, and I failed you.” Murmurs of dissent fill the air, but she holds her hand up.
“I did, and I will spend the rest of my life fixing that. If you wish to leave, I will understand. I will provide money and passage for a new life. If you wish to stay, know I will protect this court with my life, just as my mother did before me, but also know things will change. They must.” Her eyes turn to us.
“These men fought with us. I found them in my darkest time, and they rode into battle for me, for us. I was grieving, but along my way, I found these companions, ones who share stories like mine. I haven’t been able to let go of their pain, and after debating it all night, I have come up with a solution. ”
My brow furrows. “I will build a new section of the court where any lost soul may join, man or woman. Those who have been wronged by the world and those occupying it will be welcome. No questions asked. I believe you can understand what people like these men behind me have faced out there, and I will repay them and those like them. It’s something this world needs, a sanctuary, just as much as we do. ”
“We trusted men once and look where it got us,” someone calls, and my eyes narrow.
“I am not asking you to trust them. I am asking you to trust me. These men risked their lives to give us our freedom. Would you have me turn them away?”
I scan their faces, seeing some are torn.
“I understand your pain, I do, and if you wish to turn them away, then I will support you. I will leave with them, and you will be safe—”
There is an immediate uproar.
“You are our queen!”
“You must stay.”
She lets them yell before she stands. “It is your choice. I will not hold it against you. I have made my decision. I will give up my life for this court, but I will not give up my soul and heart like my mother did. Either I’ll remake it into what this world needs or I will leave with these men who stood at my back.
They deserve my loyalty and trust. They have gone above and beyond to prove it, even after I tested and pushed them, but I will not force it on you.
You may decide. Tomorrow, we will come to a decision. ”
Samantha, Belinda, and a few others drop to their knees before the throne, and I see Elara’s eyes widen. “There is no time needed. You are our queen. If you wish for them to stay, then they stay.”
“Your mother would like the idea, a place for the lost, just like us.”
Some women in the crowd still seem unsure, so Belinda stands, her eyes narrowed.
“Are they not people like us? They are different species, of course, but people all the same. If our queen tells us she trusts them and that people like them have been hurt and need a home, would you turn them away? That is just another way that those men who destroyed this place win!” she yells, and the room falls silent as she turns to Elara.
“You have done everything for us. We will not ask for more. Stay, rethia, please. We need you, and it’s clear you need them.
They will be welcome. If anyone has a problem, then they may leave. ”
“No, I do not wish to—” Elara protests, but in a wave, her court sinks to their knees, their heads bent.
A chorus of voices filled the room. “Forgive us, rethia.”
“Stay.” The chant is quickly taken up, and she looks from her people to us.
“Then we will stay,” she whispers before clearing her throat.
“Rise. No one here belongs on their knees, never again. That is another change. Now, let’s get back to work.
We have things to do.” Elara sweeps from the room, and we swiftly follow, but I see the tears on her cheeks and the smile on her lips.
She was worried they would turn away from her, but she shouldn’t have been.
In the hallway, Samantha catches up. “Your rooms were cleaned this morning, rethia, and I will have the wings attached to your rooms opened for these men, if that is okay?”
“That is very smart, thank you,” Elara replies. “How is work going?”
“Well, the burial rites are planned for later, and we will need to rebuild. We are setting up shared rooms for those who do not wish to be alone, as well as counselling. There is one other thing . . .”
“What is it?”
“Your coronation.”
Elara freezes.
“I’m sorry, rethia. It must happen. It is tradition. The sooner, the better.”
“So be it.” She nods. “I’m going to help prepare for the burial rites.”
We follow Elara, but we would follow her anywhere.