CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE #3
“I vow to take an apprentice when the time is right, and instruct them on how to fulfill their duties so that my position may continue. And I vow to be laid to rest, when I should pass, within the land of my island.” The moonlight striking the stage intensified, wrapping around me like ribbons, enveloping me completely in its soft white light.
I could no longer see my audience. But I could feel the land’s approval, its willingness to consecrate my vows.
To make them binding. I finished speaking, choosing my final words carefully.
“I vow not to be fooled by the darkness in this realm, but to be a beacon through the night, so that all the people of Olayra may know the moon’s guiding light should they ever find themselves in need of its assistance. ”
Moonlight surged all around me. And I understood then.
That what I’d called upon before wasn’t true power.
No, not like this. Not like the bolt of energy running through me now.
I could feel her presence—feel the moon.
A newfound, blossoming awareness. And I could tell.
Tell that the land had accepted my vows.
That I was now, truly and finally, the Midnight Sovereign to the realm.
The land recognized me, and its magic rushed to comply, a boon to match the mantle of responsibility thrust upon me.
The fatigue that had plagued me since the assassination attempt vanished like it had never been.
I felt alive—flush with healing moonlight.
It wrapped around and around and around me until I was moonlight—waxing and waning and waxing again—shining radiantly through the night sky, illuminating every nook and cranny of the ancient grove.
I crested over a vast ocean, pulling her tides to my will.
I kissed the tops of the trees, blazing through their branches.
I enveloped Nix’s body, soothing his many hurts.
And when I was done becoming moonlight—I chose to adorn myself in it still, a silvery gown draping over my body.
Moonlight coalesced at my back, fluttering into the shape of delicate butterfly wings.
My skin glowed, just as Archlady Eirwen’s had before me, and I could tell immediately that I would never be the same again after my communion with the land.
When the moonlight began to recede, when my turn to speak had run its course, I saw that Nix had also been transformed, growing into a full-sized jaguar, though he still lacked his wings.
Before I left the stage, my eyes landed on King Filvendor.
Was that begrudging respect in his eyes?
In everyone’s eyes? I returned to my throne, and the sun returned to the grove, though the moonlight I’d called forth to cloak me did not waver nor vanish from sight.
After my vows, the land began to call upon the monarchs of the realm’s six kingdoms.
I listened patiently as King Malgath, summoned by an inferno of flame, spoke of his desire to protect his kingdom, calling the land and its people the greatest treasure anyone could possess, and vowing to treat them as such.
Queen Elasha’s vows talked about the importance of respecting one’s ancestors, on utilizing the knowledge and power of those who came before, to build a better kingdom with each passing generation.
It didn’t take me by surprise to hear King Cazzon comment on his people’s bond with the phoenix or for Queen Isadora to mention the importance of coven communities.
I even listened as King Filvendor gave his vows, a golden stream of sunlight brightening the stage.
Finally, feathers dropped from the sky, and I smiled warmly at Corvin, doing my best to silently communicate my support.
Soft murmurs and gasps of awe traveled through the crowd when rather than walk to the stage, Corvin chose to fly, flapping his midnight-black wings, and gliding gracefully through the air to land with a flourish on top of the tree stump.
He had perhaps the most captivated audience of any of us, many sets of curious eyes tracking him, extremely interested in learning why this year, there were ten thrones amongst them, instead of nine, and which kingdom the man with a raven’s wings could possibly represent.
He held himself tall, brimming over with pride, as he announced his kingdom to the realm.
“It’s my honor to introduce myself, Prince Ravenell, to you all.
And most importantly, my kingdom, to the realm.
Zroterra—the crown jewel of the sky, called the Sky Kingdom by its people, floats above you now, traversing the realm.
We believe we have much to offer you all, and look forward to establishing diplomatic relations with each and every one of you on the coming year.
For a time, as a kingdom of refugees, we were vulnerable.
But we have grown in strength and in numbers, and we are not vulnerable anymore.
” He looked King Malgath directly in the eyes with the last comment.
“Those who remember the Zrocan may also remember our magic and all it can achieve.” He turned a slow circle, choosing his next words carefully.
“I vow to fulfill my duties as the Crown Prince of Zroterra. Above all else, I vow to protect the right of my people to spread their wings in the pursuit of freedom. To hold sacred the central tenant of the Sky Kingdom—that love will always guide you home. Always. I vow to never limit my people, to never tell them they’re soaring too high, to always encourage them to reach for their dreams. To believe in my kingdom’s potential.
I vow to welcome those who come to us on bruised or broken wings.
To extend a second chance, an opportunity for a new life, to those who come to call our kingdom home.
” Corvin disappeared in a whirl of swirling feathers, his last words ringing out clearly for all to hear, “I vow to spread my wings in service to my people and to our land in the sky, which makes our kingdom possible.” When he emerged again, his wings were sparkling, as if each individual feather had been consecrated by the land.
Although I didn’t want to leave the grove or this moment behind, I recognized it was time to leave as the same gateway by which I’d initially entered the grove, appeared behind my throne.
The same happened all along the circle, monarchs rising to depart one by one, some quickly, some after another quiet moment of reflection.
I waited, sitting on my throne, until Corvin and I were the only two people remaining in the grove. He’d thought to do the same. He walked over to me and we regarded one another solemnly, both lost in the poignancy of our shared experience.
He was the first to speak. “Nice wings,” he complimented with a flirtatious smile.
I grinned back at him. “Thank you. I thought you might like them.”
Corvin laughed, his chest lightly shaking, the motion causing his crown to dip lower onto his handsome brow.
Looking at the crown up close, its wings and design, warmth curled through me—because when we’d shared that dream on my bedroom floor, he’d placed a tiara, this crown’s perfect match, onto my head.
Did that mean he wished I could become… I dragged my gaze back to his, appreciating the sight of him, this perfect moment together, before we returned to our lives and responsibilities.
Nobody had ever looked at me like he did now. “I won’t forget, Elvira. That we made it here together.”
“Me either,” I promised.
His next words caught me by surprise. “Before coming here, our conversation in the infirmary, it got interrupted.”
“Yes, it did,” I acknowledged.
“I need you to know that you’re right. There is something more, has been all along, than just my father’s debt binding us together. And I do, Elvira.” He looked at me with searching eyes, that same gentle attentiveness he’d always shown me ever since I first saw him in my study mirror.
“Do what?” I asked, my gaze heated.
“Want you,” he answered. It was a simple declaration—fueled by deep emotion, said in the same tone with which he’d uttered every other vow to the grove.
“You’re a prince. And I’m the Midnight Sovereign. What does that mean for us?”
“All I know is that I can’t imagine my life without you. There’s nothing casual about what I feel for you. You told me you wanted something deep. That you wanted a partner. I want that too. We’ll figure the rest out together. I know we will.”
At his words, I folded myself into his arms, softly capturing his lips.
Lightness saturated my heart, moonlight twinkling through my hair and radiating from my skin, enveloping us both.
Everything made sense as long as our bodies were aligned, as long as his lips touched mine.
My entire body hummed in satisfaction, and a profound sense of peace washed over me.
Magic flared to life under my skin, vibrating fiercely, and in that instant, I could feel the golden tether of the debt connecting me to Corvin.
We shone together in brilliant radiance, the moment it found perfect resonance, resolving in a burst of starlight, still there but finally satiated, settling into a steady, contented thrum between us.
“The debt,” Corvin murmured against my lips. “It’s been fulfilled.”
“I felt it too,” I murmured back. “By helping me make it here, you helped the Midnight Sovereign return to power. Or perhaps you simply owed me this flawless moment.”
“The first of many,” Corvin vowed, kissing me again.
“I’ll see you soon then?” I asked when we finally drew apart.
“Yes. I’ll visit you very soon. Now that we know our mirrors are connected, there’s no distance separating us.
Actually, speaking of your island, I’d like your help with something.
I want you to help me find a cure for my father.
He deserves to make it to this grove himself someday.
To lead our people. To lead the Sky Kingdom.
He deserves that more than me right now.
After everything he and my mother poured into building the kingdom, making it into what it is today, he should get to sit upon that throne.
Do you think you could help me with that? ”
I looked upon Corvin’s face, reveling in how beloved it had become to me in just a few short moons. He’d helped me make it to this grove, and now, I had the power to truly serve this realm. Could I help him? I smiled and my moonlight gown shimmered around me.
“Meet me at midnight,” I confidently replied.