Chapter 30
Chapter
Thirty
NISSA
As the servants pull the doors wide open, nerves fill my belly.
I never thought I would make it to this point.
I imagined myself alone, on the run. Instead, I’m standing in front of the same large oak doors as I was the day after Nova’s death.
And while I feel like my life has just been turned upside down again, at least this time it’s in the best possible way.
With Cillian by my side. With hope for Castara.
The music from the room surrounds us as the servants get the large doors open, and the same Fae attendant presents us for the first time as the new king and queen.
Silence ripples across the room as all eyes turn on us.
No one skipped a beat when I was announced as their princess, but it seems that the wisps haven’t had time to spread the news that Cillian is king.
Confusion fills the faces of the Elite as Cillian takes my hand, leading us into the ballroom.
The former king and queen are a step behind us.
The sea of Fae part, allowing us access to the raised platform.
Perplexed whispers surround us as we take the stage, but all I feel is the confidence radiating off of the male at my side.
Dropping my hand, Cillian faces the Elite and gives them a smile that I know well.
One that makes the sunflowers turn in its direction, makes you feel capable and calm just by seeing it across a room.
As a youngling, I would watch him at events, just hoping he would find me in the crowd and give me one of those smiles.
Once we lost touch, I missed it every day.
I step into him, unconsciously staking a claim in front of all of the females that look up at my mate.
The fire-and-earth decorations no longer fit, but that won’t bother Cillian. He couldn’t care less about something so trivial. He cares about the Fae that are looking up at us now.
He clears his throat and addresses the room, the wisps amplifying his voice and spreading his words to all of Castara.
“Thank you all for coming to celebrate with my family tonight.” He gently places a hand over mine wrapped around his bicep.
“We’re unsure if there was a misinterpretation of the texts at our birth or if the death of Princess Nova changed things, but as you can see Caspien is not the one standing before you.
“During the ceremony, Gaia made it known that I was to be the next king. My queen and I have come to learn that it is best to trust the Goddess. And now we ask you to do the same.” He glances over his shoulder at me.
Thank the Goddess we didn’t run.
Looking back at the crowd, he says, “You may be unsure of me, but know that since my birth, while you have expected my brother to be crowned as the next king, I was trained right next to him. I also have been researching the storms that have been destroying our power. Queen Nissa and I are already developing a plan. We will do everything in our power to bring Castara back to its original strength and splendor.”
The murmurs start then. His parents, who are standing to the side of the dais, rarely ever mention the storms or the fact that the synthetic power sources are not sufficient.
Some Fae have their eyebrows turned down, muttering under their breath, while others faces are lit up, speaking animatedly about Cillian’s announcement.
It’s clear he was born for this. And they may not realize it yet, but he’s already bringing the Fae to his side.
For the first time, I’m excited at the idea of being queen and the power it will give me to help the Fae.
At Cillian’s side I know my position will be so much more than the picture Isolde laid out for me as queen.
There are still unanswered questions about Nova.
But there is also hope—for my future with my mate and about repairing the elemental lands now that the storms should stop.
I decline when Cillian asks if I’d like to add anything, and we make our way towards the crowd of curious faces. This part makes me feel like a bug-infested tree, but having him beside me makes it a little easier.
As soon as we hit the floor, we’re surrounded. I plaster on a smile but stay as close to Cillian’s side as possible. After a few minutes, I hear a squeal, and I’m all but tackled by a tiny redhead.
Cillian startles but doesn’t react when he sees the smile bloom across my face. Ophe’s arms are wrapped tightly around me. Her head tucked under my chin, we turn towards him.
“Cillian, this is my best friend, Ophe.”
His eyes are bright as he grips both of his forearms and nods at her.
“Oh, we’ve already met.” Ophe laughs.
I pull back, narrowing my eyes to look between the two of them. Ophe gives me a little squeeze before letting me go.
“You’ve met? When?” I ask her as Cillian turns his focus to a male asking about his plans on reviving the natural energy sources.
“Well, being queen suits you.” She looks me up and down, smiling broadly, ignoring my question. “I’m glad you stayed,” she adds in my ear.
More Fae press forward.
“How are you even here right now?” Annoyance is written on the faces of the Elite at me choosing to speak with a human over them. Good thing I don’t care.
“Your mate came and got me,” she says with a conspiratorial smile at the confusion written all over my face.
“Yeah, he showed up at the Homestead and told me you would want me here since the reception included your family.” I glance over at my mate, the love in my heart growing even more at the gesture.
“You should have seen how red my father’s face was when Cillian told him I would be moving into the castle.
” My jaw falls open, leaving me lost for words.
She giggles as another Elite dramatically clears his throat behind us.
I glance between my best friend and grinning mate before I turn back to see a glaring male. Like the constant support she’s always been for me, Ophe tucks herself at my back as I do my duty and greet Fae after Fae.
When I feel like I can’t possibly greet one more, there’s a shift in the room.
The loud buzz of voices lowers, and gazes begin to seek out whatever, or whoever, has caused the change.
I see the tops of two male heads moving towards us, the crowd separating to let them pass.
When they are finally in front of us, I understand why.
Mouths hang open. Some are stepping swiftly back, putting distance between themselves and the new arrivals—Aiden and Enzo, his second-in-command.
The vampire has an amused grin as he flashes his fangs at those scurrying away from them. Aiden’s expression is bland, but there’s an alertness in his eyes that says he’s assessing every miniscule thing in the room.
“Aiden. Enzo,” Cillian greets them coolly. “How nice of you to join us in this celebration.”
In my peripheral vision, I see Ophe step forward. While the Elite are moving away in fear, my breakable human friend is moving straight towards the danger.
The same danger that could be responsible for the death of my sister.
“So where is Caspien?” Aiden eyes the crowns adorning our heads with indifference. He looks me up and down, his eyes lingering on our joined hands.
He’s either very good at hiding his emotion, or he didn’t have a master plan to kill my sister and claim the Fae world with me by his side.
“He isn’t here.” Cillian’s civil tone has gone icy.
I squeeze his fingers as I feel his protectiveness coursing through our connection.
There’s a moment of tense silence when Ophe pipes up with, “Hello there. I’m Ophelia.” She almost purrs as she grips her forearms and dips her head, her eyes narrowed in on Enzo. “Glad to not be the only non-Fae guest here anymore.”
He reaches out a hand, and when she takes it, I almost jerk my friend back. As his gaze slowly slides from the tips of her fingers up her chest to her face, I swear his eyes go completely black.
Enzo arches an eyebrow at her. “Indeed, maybe we can keep each other company, little morsel.” Her hand still in his, he steps forward, towering over her. But instead of shaking her hand, like most would do with a human, he flips it over revealing her wrist.
Cillian goes stiff at my side, and my heart comes to a complete stop as Enzo leans down and takes a long, slow breath. His fangs slip out from his smile and then disappear when he places a kiss to the vulnerable skin.
Aiden rolls his eyes like this is all just theatrics.
I can barely pull the wind into my chest, though I’m doing my best to not cause a scene.
“We won’t be staying long enough for that,” Aiden says to his second, boredom filling his voice.
His silver eyes dance across my face one more time.
His usual intense gaze takes me in, like he’s trying to read my mind.
Turning back to Enzo, he says, “In fact, we should go now. There’s no need for us here. ”
Enzo’s eyes light in surprise. His gaze moves from my best friend to me, assessing whatever Aiden sees between Cillian and me.