Lutin’s eyes meet mine. “Are you ready, Your Majesty?”
“No,” I admit, a weak laugh slipping free.
His smile is soft and understanding. “You will do great. The king would be proud.”
His words knock some of the air from my lungs.
“I will take Mia and Scarlett to the private platform,” Tristan prompts, and the girls step forward, each giving me a hug and whispering words of encouragement that I don't seem to hear over the buzzing in my ears and the trembling in my knees.
Shit, I’m terrified.
Raiden steps up next to me again and we face the doors together. “Thank you for being here, Batman.”
“Anytime, Everly Baker.”
I laugh, slipping my arm through his, drawing strength from his steady presence. Lutin and Senka bow to me before swinging the doors open. The bright light from the garden floods in, and I immediately feel the weight of hundreds of eyes turning in my direction.
Raiden wasn’t exaggerating—the place is packed. Fae of all shapes and sizes fill the gardens, their colorful wings and vibrant attire a dazzling display under the morning sun. An aisle has been cleared, leading up to a large, raised dais where a woman in flowing white robes stands alongside Valric and Nolan. Their expressions are serious yet welcoming, their postures straightand proud. But the sight of all those faces turned toward me, expectant, hopeful, is overwhelming. Panic flares, consuming me, and I attempt to take a step back.
I can’t do this. I can’t–
Without warning, Fenris is in front of me, appearing out of nowhere like he always does. His unusual, piercing eyes hold mine, grounding me, drawing me out of my spiraling thoughts. He bows deeply, pressing a fist over his heart. His voice is a quiet murmur, meant only for me. “I will guide the way. Just keep your eyes on my back.”
I take a deep, shuddering breath, the panic beginning to ebb. His words echo in my mind, steady and reassuring, and I nod, feeling the first stirrings of courage return. As Fenris turns, I let my gaze settle on him, focusing on his familiar form, and take my first step forward.
With Raiden by my side and Fenris leading the way, I feel the pressure of the crowd around me beginning to ease, and in what seems like no time at all, I’m making my way up the stairs. Nolan and Valric bow. Then Valric steps forward, taking both my hands in his as Raiden steps away.
“You look every bit like the queen I imagined. Are you ready?”
I shrug, my eyes widening. “Do I have a choice? Because I feel it’s a bit late to back out now.”
Valric’s eyes brighten, and he grins. “This is your destiny.”
“Figured.”
Valric shakes his head and leads me over to the woman in the white robes, her features are stern, but she looks familiar.
“Princess Vera, this is our high priestess, Elowen,” Valric explains.
We both incline our heads in greeting before Elowen begins speaking, her voice clear and steady as it carries over the crowd. I try to focus on her words, but something feels . . . off. My magic, usually a subtle, comforting hum beneath my skin, is surging, rising higher and higher, until the familiar tingling becomes overwhelming. My breath hitches as an unsteady feeling overtakes me, like I’m on the verge of losing control.
A spike of panic twists in my chest, and I glance over at Valric, hoping for some kind of reassurance. But he’s frowning, his eyes narrowing as he studies me, clearly sensing that something isn’t right.
The ground beneath the dais gives a low, ominous rumble, and a ripple of murmurs spreads through the crowd. People are glancing around in confusion, some looking fearful. But the priestess, unperturbed, continues her speech as though nothing has happened, her voice as steady as ever. I wonder if this is normal, a part of the ritual perhaps, but my instincts scream otherwise.
My magic surges again, stronger this time, pushing against my control. I try to steady my breathing, to center myself, but it’s no use—whatever is happening inside me is too powerful to be contained. My arm where my birthmark is burns, and I drop my gaze to see it glowing like the sun.
I feel Raiden’s hand brush my hand, his touch anchoring me just enough to keep me from completely unraveling.
“Breathe,” he whispers softly, his voice barely audible over the priestess’s words. I cling to the sound, trying to focus, trying to push the magic back down.
The priestess steps forward, holding a crown crafted from delicate golden vines. At its center sits a sun and a moon, theirjeweled surfaces catching and refracting the light in mesmerizing patterns. As I look up at it, an unexpected calm washes over me, soothing the wild magic still churning inside. I close my eyes, bowing my head instinctively, feeling my golden hair spill forward over my shoulders.
The crown settles onto my head, its weight both grounding and electrifying. A new wave of awareness ripples through me; a quiet, powerful force that feels like it’s connecting me to something ancient and vast. The world feels sharper, more vivid, every breath filling me with an unfamiliar but welcome sense of clarity and strength. The magic from moments ago settles, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
The faint shuffle of feet and the rustling of fabric brings me back, and I lift my head, glancing around.
I freeze, a soft gasp slipping from my lips. Everyone has dropped to one knee. Raiden, Fenris, Valric, Nolan, and even Zaria, Mia and Scarlett. It’s only the priestess and me who remain standing, the only two figures upright amid a sea of bowed heads.
