64. Maddy
Chapter 64
Maddy
I 'm excited to see my sister coronated, but standing still through formal events is still a challenge for me. Kain saying filthy things in my mind the whole time certainly makes it a little more interesting, but it also makes me uncomfortably aroused, and even more desperate for it to be over. During the coronation of Lady Brenda I was about ready to come on the spot by the time it was over. That was the first time he made me come while we were flying.
"Good fae of Yggdrasil !"
The announcer's voice rings out, and I force my attention away from the memory of Kain sliding me down his hard, ready body sixty feet above the Fire Court, and onto what was happening.
"I give you Freydis and Madivia Verglas," he calls.
Freydis takes a deep breath, and then walks out onto the platform. I give her a few minutes of applause, then follow, Thyrvi lumbering beside me. The applause falters a moment, then restarts. I'm sure it's mostly awe for my bear, and she lifts her head regally.
"They love me," she says.
"Of course they do."
I hear a particularly loud whoop, and see most of the rooks, and Sarra, along with Valdis, Harald, and Sigrun, lining the back of the row of spectator benches filling the Ice Court Palace ballroom.
It's so strange to see them here, in my home. Almost all the rooks have wings now. And I count them all, to varying degrees, as friends.
A wash of contentment washes through me when I notice Sarra is sitting next to Pehn. She told me yesterday that they think her shriek magic will be integral in finding a cure for the sickness ailing the Earth Court, and I'm almost sure there's more to their growing friendship.
Freydis speaks, and I force my attention back. "Thank you all for coming. It is my honor to accept the crown and role of Queen of the Ice Court. You must know that things will change here from now on." She casts her eyes over the ice-fae lining the front rows. "Old alliances must be forgotten, and new ones forged. Honesty, valor, and courage will be rewarded above all else in this court."
There are a few cheers and polite claps, but mostly the ice-fae look nervous. As they should. Many are about to lose their status.
"And in the name of courage and valor, here is Mighty Sigrun."
My brows rise in surprise as Sigrun stands.
She flies to the stage even though it is a short distance, and there is a smattering of awed whispers.
"In Yggdrasil we award bravery and acts of honor with braids. A warrior or a leader can be distinguished instantly as such by the number of braids that adorn their hair."
Almost all the fae in the crowd have braids, and some, like the King of the Shadow Court and his warriors, have scores of them.
"Madivia Verglas, you have earned your braids."
I freeze. Me? I didn't know this was happening.
"One for your part in what happened two hundred years ago. For being willing to give up your life and defy your family to save an entire race. For that you get a matching braid with your sister, for the same feat of bravery."
She holds up her hand, and a stand of hair lifts over my shoulder. It's streaked with blue and white, and I watch as it knits together in a complicated braid. When it settles, there's a silver bead at the end of it, in the shape of a snowflake.
The same happens to Freydis, a mirror opposite me.
"And this one is for being willing to give up your own life when you flew Kain the Ruinous to the Fire Court, knowing your death was as certain as his. Your choice was the utmost in valor."
Another strand of hair lifts, this one larger, and when it has magically braided itself in an even more complicated twist, the silver bead at the end is of a tiny bear.
I bow my head, pride swelling through me and the backs of my eyes burning.
Every time I've been in this room in the past, it has been as a princess disguised as a handmaid. Now I'm standing tall, a winged Valkyrie earning braids for courage, in front of everybody.
"Thank you, Mighty Sigrun."
"Thank you, Madivia. You've saved many lives, and I'm sure will save many more as one of Odin's warriors."
Thyrvi roars behind me, startling me, and then the crowd is clapping. Freydis is beaming at me, and I turn to the side to look at Kain.
He's clapping too, eyes flaming, and a beautiful smile on his lips.
"My brave, beautiful princess."
"My fierce, fiery protector."
"We will be alone together, forever."
THE END