Chapter 33
CHAPTER
THIRTY-THREE
Samantha was serious about the coronation being quick. She wakes me early the next morning and rushes me to bathe, and then she fusses with my hair and makeup. Other ladies fill the room. Some seem hesitant when they find my males here, but they swiftly get over it.
It’s a joyous day, but I wish my mother were here. She trained me for this, and now she is gone. She should be at my side, passing the crown over, but instead, I will do it alone.
My face is highlighted with makeup as golden jewellery is draped across every inch of my body, and after my hair is curled and pinned up, I am guided to a dressing room. I don’t look as they fasten me into a dress. I only realise why it feels familiar when I turn to the mirror.
It’s my mother’s coronation dress. The bodice is tight, with buttons and delicate lace down the front, then the fabric flares out in a long train.
The shoulders are tapered and fall over my back in a cloak of white feathers.
I remember her telling me it would be mine one day, but wearing it now causes my heart to ache.
As I stare at the white dress hugging my curves, I know I’m looking at her too. They found a way for her to be here with me, but it feels wrong. Turning away, I head to the delicate metal bowl and carefully put it on the floor.
“I need a blade.” One appears, but before I can cut myself, a hand grabs it. I look up to find Frost.
He kisses my palm. “Allow me.”
Nodding, I let go, and he turns my arm and gently cuts along it, not trying to stop me.
I watch my blood drip into the bowl. I will need more, but as if knowing what I am doing, the women in the room step forward and cut their own arms. Their blood hits the bowl with mine until there is a thick layer.
Wrapping my arm with a white cloth that turns red, I gather the skirts of the dress and dip it into the blood.
“Doused in the blood of those you sacrificed to save, I honour thee, Mother,” I whisper as I lift the dress free and let it slide to the floor. The once pure white skirts are now dipped in red. “I’m ready.”
My entourage escorts me to the throne room, then I look at them and realise my men have also been dressed. I was so lost in my grief and thoughts of my mother, I didn’t even realise it.
They are wearing matching white and gold, and they look magnificent, like kings of old.
Bellami is in an old-style tunic, his trousers tucked into high boots. The white makes his skin glow, and his hair is curled back, showing his handsome face. A gold band encircles his arm, and white feathers are peppered across his sleeves.
Frost wears a cloak of pure white feathers over one shoulder. It drapes across his bare chest and tucks into low white trousers, and he has a matching gold cuff on his arm.
Luan has on a feathered coat that covers nearly all of him and makes him look otherworldly. Only his bright eyes, which glow within his handsome face, and the matching golden band are visible.
Corbin’s chest is bare, as if they couldn’t find enough material to span it, but he has a white sash of feathers and gold across it, black trousers, and the same golden band.
Stepping closer, I touch the band and realise it symbolises their relationship to me.
“We asked for it,” Luan tells me. “To show we are yours.”
My heart speeds up just as I hear my name announced.
“I have a surprise for you as well,” I admit before I turn and step into the throne room.
Music fills the air, and my court kneels as I pass.
When I reach the throne, I sink to my knees before it and the white-haired elder, Agitha, who once crowned my mother.
“I remember when you were just a wee child, Elara,” she says softly. “Now look at you. Your mother would be so proud.”
She clears her throat, and I lower my head to hide the tears in my eyes.
“We gather today to crown our new regina, Elara, blood of our last queen, defender of innocents, freer of chains, and builder of homes. We honour her with the crown and leadership of our people. We show our respect and dedication today and vow to protect her rule and our home until the sky falls.” Her hand presses to my head.
“For one with such strength and bravery, we vow to follow where you lead. Elara of queen’s blood, do you vow to honour this court for all your life? ”
“I do,” I reply.
“Elara of queen’s blood, do you vow before the gods to give your life and body to protect our people and provide a home?”
“I do.”
“Elara of queen’s blood, do you vow to always put your position of queen first and do your duty?”
“I do.”
Her hand lifts, and the crown is placed on my head. My mother’s crown is heavy, just like her reputation and duty, but I remain bowed.
“Then rise, Elara, and hence forth be known as regina.”
Blinking slowly to fight off the tears, I rise, careful not to wobble, and turn to the crowd, who shouts and cheers. I look at them and search for the one face I want to see, but I know she isn’t here. My heart aches for a moment before I swear I feel her whisper in my ear.
“Today, I vow to be yours,” I call, and the court quiets down, “but I also come with another promise.” Turning to my men, I nod. “Kneel.”
I sense their confusion, but they comply, kneeling before me, and I nod at Samantha and a few others who step forward, holding what I wanted to surprise them with.
“Today, I crown these men as my consorts. They are to be treated with the respect you give me. They will be loved and cherished as you love and cherish me. I will walk this path with them, and them with me.”
Stepping before Corbin, I press my hand to his head. “Corbin of the bears, do you agree to be mine, now and forever? Do you agree to be my consort, to guide me, protect me, and stand with me?”
He lifts his head, his eyes filled with joy. “I do.”
Smiling softly, I place the small golden circlet on his head. “So be it.” Moving to his right, I press my hand to Luan’s head and repeat the words.
“Luan of the mind walkers, do you agree to be mine, now and forever? Do you agree to be my consort, to guide me, protect me, and stand with me?”
“Always,” he vows, winking at me.
“So be it.” I place his circlet on him and move to Frost, who is as tall as I am when kneeling.
“Frost Skyrider, do you agree to be mine, now and forever? Do you agree to be my consort, to guide me, protect me, and stand with me?”
“I thought you’d never ask, mate.”
Smiling, I grab his circlet. “So be it.”
Last, I stop before Bellami, knowing what this means to him. I am making him a king, a consort, and giving him a home. “Bellami of the desire breeders, do you agree to be mine, now and forever? Do you agree to be my consort, to guide me, protect me, and stand with me?”
His face lifts, and I see tears in his eyes. “I do,” he whispers.
“So be it.” I gently lay the circlet on his head and step back. “Rise.” They do, and I bow to them then turn to my court.
“From this day forward, they will be mine, as is this court. Any attack on them is an attack on me.”
“Long live Regina Elara! Long live her consorts.”
I stand as my court cheers, my men at my side. I am happy, but part of me is missing.
Another circlet remains, one I had made just in case.