Chapter 54
Daisy
The chamber is silent as I sit on the bed, the soft hush of the morning light bleeding through the curtains to paint the dark stone room in brightness.
Korithax had left for a meeting with the realms’ rulers after dropping the bomb on me that his coronation needed to happen ASAP. Of course it did. Because I didn’t have enough on my plate, apparently. What’s one more thing added onto the ever-growing pile of shit I have to carry?
I stretch slowly, my limbs aching in that dull, post sex satisfaction kind of way.
But the heaviness in my chest is at a weight I’m struggling to bear.
The truth presses down on me, feeling almost suffocating.
I’m not just Daisy Sandoval anymore. I knew that the second I had agreed to marry Korithax.
But gods, if I knew all of this was going to happen, would I have still agreed to it all?
I climb from the bed, still naked, and step into the steaming bath waiting for me that Korithax had ran before leaving.
I sink down slowly, the water enveloping me like a warm hug as I close my eyes, letting out a long sigh.
I lower myself slowly, letting my head sink under the water, submerging myself fully in an attempt to escape reality.
I lie there, thoughts swimming through my head until my lungs burned and I burst my head through the water with a gasp for air.
“Good morning, Daisy.”
I let out a small shriek, pushing the water from my eyes to see who the hell had entered the bathroom. My vision clears, and I see violet eyes so pale they almost look lavender staring at me with amusement.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to frighten you,” Lyvia says with a giggle.
“Lyvia!” I gasp, a smile spreading across my face. “I’ve missed you.”
She smiles softly, a blush creeping across her cheeks as she brushes a strand of lavender hair away from her face.
“I missed you too. How was your journey?”
I quirk a brow at her. “I have a few bones to pick with you regarding some clothing, actually.”
Lyvia slaps a hand over her mouth to hide her smile, a giggle escaping her, and I find myself giggling along with her.
“Was the nightwear really necessary?” I ask through a soft laugh.
“Aran said you both needed a little… push in the right direction,” she replies, her blush deepening.
“Of course he did,” I respond, rolling my eyes. “It’s okay. I forgive you. Only because it worked.” I look at her and wink, a blush creeping across my own cheeks, and we both fall into a fit of laughter.
“Would you like help getting ready this morning, Daisy?” Lyvia asks after we both calm down.
“I’d like that, thank you. I’ll be right out.”
She nods once before leaving, and I finish up my bath, washing my hair and body before stepping out and wrapping myself in a fluffy towel.
When I re-enter the room, there’s a gown on the velvet bench at the foot of the bed.
It’s stunning—midnight black silk threaded with silver.
She helps me slide it on, the fabric clinging to my body like shadow and smoke.
The sleeves hang off my shoulders, and a delicate pattern of flame embroidery licks across the hem.
She helps me style my hair in soft waves down my back, and when I glance at my reflection when we’re finished, I almost don’t recognise the woman staring back.
There’s a strength in my eyes that I haven’t seen in a long time.
We talk a little more, the desperation to tell her about everything on the tip of my tongue.
But I can’t yet. Not when there is still such a big threat looming over my head, and the pressure to become queen is still sitting on my shoulders.
I pull her into a tight hug, and she returns it, wrapping her arms around me.
“I hope you understand that you’re more than just my maid, Lyvia.” I smile softly, holding her at arm’s length.
“It’s an honour to be your maid, and your friend, Daisy.”
She leaves the room, and I find myself needing air and something to keep me busy.
My bare feet carry me through the corridors without thought, as if my body remembers a path my mind has long forgotten. And when I finally pause, I realise where I’ve come.
I press my hand to the door, pushing it open slightly and steel myself before stepping inside the large throne room.
It’s quiet. Still. Dust motes dance in the golden light cutting through the stained glass.
And there, at the far end, is the obsidian throne.
It’s large, jagged, and so obnoxious it hurts to look at.
I step toward it, each footfall echoing like a heartbeat.
A tremor races through me as I approach, my breath catching in my lungs as I take in the seat that had replaced the one I… Dasmyrin used to sit on. I run my fingers over the cold, solid arms of the chair, and my lungs falter as sudden images flash behind my eyes; violent and overwhelming.
I see myself—Dasmyrin—dragged from this very room, blood soaking the floor, her powers stripped from her as she screams to the high heavens. She’s dragged by the Divine Six into the pit. They’ve burned her crown, her throne, and shattered her legacy.
I stumble forward, reaching out to steady myself, and my fingers grasp onto the curved edge of the throne. More visions. A memory. No… a reliving.
She’s seated, proud and regal, a crown of flame settling on her head as the court roars in loyalty. Her eyes are black as coal, her hair gleams silver, her expression is made of justice and power.
I jolt back to myself, gasping for air. My head aches, and as I turn my focus to the pain, something begins to form, a heat searing across my scalp.
I instinctively move my hands to my head and feel something solid forming.
Rushing to a small diamond-shaped mirror that’s placed on one of the walls, panic races through me.
My reflection stares back at me, a crown of flame curling around my head.
I stare at it, the heatless white flames flickering around the golden spires that protrude from the crown.
It feels so familiar, so at one with me.
It’s the crown I’d seen on Dasmyrin, now sitting on my head, once again reunited with its owner.
“I guess fate is telling me it’s time to be a queen again,” I whisper, voice trembling as my fingers trace along the delicate golden spires.
Still dazed from the visions that had flown through my head, I wander the halls, fingers idly trailing the stone walls to try and anchor myself.
I find myself wandering right up to the war room, the voices inside reaching me in the hallway.
The two guards snap to attention, their heads bowing as they move aside to let me in.
I push the doors open, and silence falls. Every leader of every realm sits around the table, Korithax standing at the head, mid-sentence. When his eyes lock on me, his mouth parts, but no words come out. Every person turns to look at me, their expressions matching Korithax’s when they take me in.
“Sorry, I…” I falter. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?” I ask, feeling my cheeks flame.
Korithax stares. “The crown. Your hair.”
“My hair?” I ask, raising a hand to pull it forward. I catch a glimmer of silver streaks running through the golden strands. “Oh.”
“It has started,” Elyistria says softly. “Parts of her are shining through.”
“Does she know?” Sariya asks, eyes wide.
Elyistria nods. “She does.”
I turn to Sariya. “You knew?”
“I did, my sweet child. I am a goddess too, remember. I know you… Dasmyrin, as well as I know myself.”
There’s a tension in the air now as the other leaders in the room try silently piece together what’s happening.
“What is going on?” Virena demands.
Korithax holds out his hand, beckoning me forward. “Come, little flower. We have news to share.”
My fingers find his. His touch is warm and comforting as I step towards him, falling to his side.
“You ready?” He whispers, stroking a thumb across my knuckles.
I nod, chewing my lip slightly as the anxiety inside of me begins to make my body tremble.
Korithax clears his throat, silencing the murmuring throughout the room.
I catch Aran’s eye, and he gives me a soft smile to reassure me.
“Daisy isn’t just my wife. She’s my mate.
” He pauses as the murmurs begin again. “And,” he continues, demanding attention, “she is the reincarnation of the First Queen. Dasmyrin.”
Gasps echo through the room, and I feel my heart on the verge of exploding.
“Bullshit,” Kaelith hisses. “She’s just a mortal.”
I glare at him as Korithax tightens his grip on my hand.
“She’s more than that,” Korithax growls. “And if you insult her again, I’ll show you exactly what I’ve become. This realm has a new king now, and I bow to no one who speaks against my Queen.”
Korithax raises his free hand, flames sparking to life at his fingertips. “Or do you need a reminder of what happens when you try and fuck around, Duskwalker?”
Kaelith averts his gaze, his teeth clenched so hard his jaw pulses. I wonder if he managed to fully heal those burns after Korithax set him on fire. I try to hide my smirk at the memory of him setting him alight after he tried to turn me into his queen. Clearly, he’s still bitter.
Maelkar lets out a low laugh. “So, I didn’t just make her immortal. I brought back a legend.”
I scoff a laugh, and he winks at me as he places his hands behind his head, leaning back in his chair, truly proud of himself. Idiot.
“Sorry for the whole memory thing, Queenie.” He shrugs.
“No, you’re not,” I reply, smirking at him as he smirks back. Bastard wasn’t sorry at all. But I can’t be angry at him for taking what he wanted for his part of the deal. It could’ve been so much worse.
“She’s more than a legend,” Korithax says. “And more than a queen.”
“May I?” Elyistria steps forward. With a nod from Korithax, she continues.
“Dasmyrin was my sister,” she says. “We were born in the beginning, created from the ash of the cosmos itself. She created the realms—the structures of everything you see. I am the magic behind it all. The creatures, the people, you, and your powers. Dasmyrin made the Divine Six, and I gave them their power to help us guide and rule the realms.” She lowers her eyes, regret painting her beautiful face.
“But they betrayed her. With Korithax’s father, they burned her from history.
But you cannot kill the creator. And now, she has risen. ”
The room is utterly silent for a beat, every pair of eyes wide.
“So this isn’t Korithax’s coronation. It’s Daisy’s or… Dasmyrin’s?” Kaelith asks, venom lacing his tone.
“Please, I just want to be known as Daisy. And this is still his coronation.” I mutter.
“Will you be by his side as his consort, or his queen?” Virena asks.
“My queen,” Korithax responds without hesitation. “If she wants that.”
Before I have a chance to respond, Elyistria moves to step in front of me and lowers herself to one knee, bowing her head slightly. “I vow to offer my protection, my armies, and my loyalty to the Queen.”
I stare in utter shock at Elyistria on her knee before me. A chair scrapes, and Sariya steps forward to stand by Elyistria, lowering to one knee beside her, bowing her head.
“I vow to offer my protection, my armies, and my loyalty to the Queen.”
One by one, the rulers move forward to kneel. Even Vor’Khar bows, grunting with his hand crackling with lightning against his chest. I glance to see Aran also on one knee, a proud smile plastered across his face, tears brimming in his emerald eyes.
Tears sting my eyes, my voice is shaky, but sure as I speak words that feel like they’re from memory, as well as my heart. “I vow to rule with love, with fairness, and with strength.” I turn to Korithax, gripping his hand tighter. “With my king, my mate, at my side. As equals.”
The room erupts into applause, and I feel my heart swell with so much pride and love. Elyistria and Sariya pull me into a fierce embrace as we all smile, tears brimming our eyes.
“We have a coronation to prepare,” Sariya laughs, her eyes gleaming with so much joy, it’s contagious.
For the first time in what feels like a lifetime, I let myself bask in the love and laughter surrounding me, and smile and laugh too. I’m not just a girl anymore, I’m not just a queen. I’m the flame reignited, and with the love surrounding me, this time, I won’t be the one to burn.