63. KAINE
Kaine hissed at the atarangi demon as it continuously poked the needle into his skin. Poke. Poke. Poke. He’d been sitting here for hours. His arm draped across a table, numb. His skin rubbed raw, fresh with shadow ink. An ink made from the darkness of souls. That’s what the demon was infusing into his skin. A special kind of ink only found in the Shadow Realm, known for the way it moved underneath the skin.
He thought about inking this pattern onto his flesh for a long time now. It would be a physical reminder. A reminder that his and Sophie’s bond was real. That through Cam’s betrayal, through the distance of realms and the spaces between, their fates were sealed. And the thought of seeing Sophie’s face once she spied it . . . mother of Faery. There would be no denying their fate together, that was certain.
“It’s done,” the atarangi demon hissed.
Kaine sat up, admiring the shadowy ink that moved along his skin. From the crook of his left elbow, all the way to his hand, swirls and patterns lined his skin. It was Sophie’s design, all the way down to the key on her index finger. Remarkably exact. But up close, the shadow infused ink moved and glittered in a preternatural way, making it entirely his own. A symbol, this was, that Sophie would never leave him. His first true love.
Castle Terrin’s throne room hadn’t been this crowded since the initial years of Queen Calliea’s reign. Wall to wall stood the noble Fae of Summeira and Seaspun Bay while the castle grounds were littered with the lesser Fae from each court. A soft murmur washed over the crowd. Today was a momentous day as any. Today, Terr would be crowned king of Faery, alongside Queen Calliea. Together, they would see the full might of Faery returned.
Kaine stood a few steps from the dais, feeling numb. Bored even. Beside him was Lord Gulliver of Summeira and on his other side stood Lord Zavis of Seaspun Bay with his daughters. Queen Calliea stood upon the blood-red dais that had been decorated with black banners bearing the Shadow Realm sigil, a crow with ram horns.
Queen Calliea was dressed in a blood-red gown, a thorny crown with black diamonds sat upon her head as she held her chin high, looking intently at the doors of the throne room.
The ceremonial trumpets sounded and the royal guard at the door announced, “All rise for the coronation of His Majesty . . . Terr, the almighty ruler of two realms. King of the Shadow Realm and King of Faery.” The door groaned open and dark smoke billowed in from outside.
As the trumpets heralded, Terr’s massive eight-foot form slowly floated down the aisle. People gasped and bowed hurriedly as he passed them. Toward the dais, twenty royal guards stood on either side of the aisle, crossing their spears in the air to form a tunnel of sorts. Terr walked through the salute and slowly up the dais. His muscled back clenched and moved as he turned around to face the people of Faery who were on their knees. His people.
He took Queen Calliea’s hand in his and together, they sat upon their thrones. A high priestess dressed in white appeared with a masculine crown, matching the queen’s, in her hand. She rose on her toes to hover the crown above Terr’s head.
Kaine could never have imagined that this was now Faery’s fate. He never could have guessed it.
The entire congregation fell silent as they watched the crown, formerly King Gydeon’s, placed upon the flaming head of Terr.
Kaine swallowed. There was a bit of sadness in him that he couldn’t quite comprehend. Perhaps it represented the death of all that he knew.
The ceremonial trumpets ceased.
The high priestess spoke clearly and loudly. “Do you, Terr, swear that you will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Faery, its people and its interests, so may the gods help you?”
A beat past.
“I do,” Terr hissed with a devilish smile.
Queen Calliea placed a pale hand upon his muscled blue forearm and smiled.
“Then today is a new day. Faery is blessed with a new saviour and king,” the high priestess announced to the congregation.
“All rise,” the royal guard at the door announced. He struck his spear on the ground twice. “Long live the king!”
The crowd burst into a cheer. “Long live the king!” they repeated.
“Long live the king . . .” Kaine said under his breath. He clapped slowly as he watched Terr and Queen Calliea share a kiss upon the dais.
Kaine couldn’t help but feel like this was the start of something incredible.
Remember who this is all for.