I brushed a finger through my hairline. Anyone who hadn’t shaved their hair had never experienced this fuzzy delight. “A human thing.”
Gratia muttered under her breath. “I don’t see why you’d start acting normal now. “
“Thank you, sister.”
We grimaced at the same time and then shared a grin.
While this ritual was only the fourth of seven, it was significant in the joining of the mating couples’ families. After this ceremony, Carmine and I would be husband and wife. From now on, Gratia would officially become my sister-in-law—in the eyes of the realm. Athira would be my nurturing and kind mother. I would be an official part of the royal family.
Though not officially crowned until the completion of our mating ritual, I would step into queenly duties after this ceremony.
So much to look forward to.
I peered out to Pride Rock. “Are we ready to rock and roll?”
Gratia shook her head. “To start? Yes. Would you like me to walk with you?”
I looked back, surprised by the unexpected offer. “Thank you, Gratia. But no. My family is not here, and so I will walk alone.”
She nodded. “Then I hope you’re prepared for battle.”
Good luck, you’ll need it.My lips curved. “Always.”
The crimson hesitated, perhaps about to offer a warning, and then she decided against it. She pushed open one of the heavy iron doors and slipped out.
I gave her a minute, then flipped my veil over. It was pretty much a heap of curtain over my head.
I pulsed my power to shove both doors open at once. They slammed back against the fortress, and I started my descent down the twenty-two stairs to the bottom.
The guests were silent. No music, no cheering. Not even any horrified gasps at my outfit, though I imagined Carmine’s stony presence had more to do with that.
If only Tempest could see me now. I grinned in the safe confines of the veil.
I imagined my sister beside me.
And Grandmother. I snorted at the idea of my grandmother sitting here with these demons. There was no way she would have allowed me to go through with this. She would have maimed Carmine and then incapacitated me. I would’ve woken in a trap that I could only escape once my thoughts had returned to reason.
And Mother. I drew up the image of my mother. Her blue eyes.So beautiful.My grandmother was beautiful, too, but fucking savage. But my mother had radiated a kindness that only disappeared when she placed people in magical cages meant to break their minds and spirits.
My mother would have placed Carmine in a paradigm of hellfire; then she would have held my hand as I learned whatever was needed.
I miss them.
I missed them so much.
So much that I didn’t see the guests and hardly registered my steps until I was striding out to Pride Rock. To him.
I finally looked at Carmine. He was dressed formally in a long, sleeveless tunic over his loose trousers that gathered at the waist and ankles. The mating markings he had already received were embroidered onto the crimson tunic in black thread.
His iron crown sat upon his head.
He hated that thing.Good.
I stopped beside him and stared out at the realm. There was a wall of color in the middle realms that was a mass of gathered demons. I waved at them, and their distant cheer echoed up.
“Enamai,” Carmine said, bowing slightly.
He faced the guests, and I felt his smoke draw tight around his throat. His voice boomed for the entire realm to hear. “May the realm bear witness to the joining of a king and the future queen on this day before a king wages war on our enemies.”
