I appreciated Elva and Ig. It made my heart burst to think that they wanted to start a family and I would have a baby to dote on. But it was no replacement for Cassidy and Sophie.
The rush of warmth filled my eyes, and I blinked quickly to stop the tears from falling. Gray patiently waited with my dress, and I stepped into it, using him to steady myself. If he had seen or sensed my little emotional wobble, he didn’t make comment on it and that made me love him even more. His fingers ghosted along my spine as he pulled the zipped up slowly and as he finished, he pressed a kiss to the back of my neck.
“You are a wonder, Quentin Scott,” he breathed against my skin as our reflection stared back at us from the mirror.
“You have to say that.”
“I don’t have to say anything, and you know it.”
He kissed my cheek before going into the wardrobe for his suit. I brushed through my hair, watching him as he dressed in his signature black. There was not a single ounce of colour on him, and he looked truly sinful.
“Quentin,” Gray said after he straightened his cuffs.
“Yes, Gray?”
His knuckles brushed my cheek gently, and I leaned into his touch. As annoyed as I could get at my hulking shadow, I would walk without him for most of the ceremony today, and that was beginning to feel daunting.
“Before anything else,” Gray said, leaning down so our noses touched, “you are my Queen. I want you to remember that. You are mine before everyone else’s.”
Blood thundered in my ears, and I swallowed. Gray was making his position abundantly clear the way he always had. I was his top priority, and he expected the same in return. And, even if it made me a bad ruler, I knew that Gray and his life would come before anything else. Call it our bond or loyalty orlove, all I knew was that I could never find myself in a position to lose him ever again.
“You know you could have made an official statement by marrying me before all this pomp and circumstance,” I told him.
“Stop pouting,” he replied, kissing me. “I promise we will get there.”
The sun was blazingabove Elysia, burning my bare shoulders as I walked through the square. I led a procession of my council through the streets towards the chambers. Gods and Goddesses watched, following us to our final destination. Colourful auras fluttered against a clear sky and there was a sweet scent like honey that punctuated the air.
Thoughts of the lab and my family crossed my mind, and I pushed them aside. The grief of losing my old life was still raw, but I wanted to enjoy this moment. It would take time to become accustomed to this role, but I trusted I could do it. That I’d surrounded myself with deities who were ready to help me chart a fresh course for Elysia, even if I wasn’t clear on what that change was.
The steady thump of footsteps and cheers guided us into the council chambers. The barren stone space had been flooded with orchids and gold silk that swooped dramatically from pillars. A celebration of all things me.
My throat grew tight as my council took their new seats, and I stood at the centre of the room. Familiar faces stared back at me. Erik wrapped an arm around Sloan’s shoulders. Elva beamed and blew me a kiss. But my eyes grazed past them until I foundGray. He gave me a nod before separating from the masses and walking towards me.
He lifted his arms, signalling for silence before he spoke. “It is rare that we are granted the opportunity of witnessing a coronation, so I thank you all for being here on this momentous occasion.”
As I watched him, I realised how well he would have suited this job. It was as if he was made for it, but he had stepped aside to let me assume the mantle. Gray turned back to me and I took strength from the fact that I was not alone. It was a strange notion after being independent for so long to crave his presence. Not because I was incapable, but because I wished to share these moments with someone. I didn’t want to fight my way through it all on my own. I wanted to have Gray by my side.
“Quentin,” he said, barely containing his grin. “You will now be presented with your crown.”
Ignacio joined us, a box held in his hands. We’d spent time designing my headpiece together until it felt right.
Gray opened the box and raised an eyebrow before picking it out and holding it up for the crowd.
Ig had suggested something bright and golden to match my aura. Something studded with gems to represent my responsibility. But I had disagreed. The crown in Gray’s hands was made of a heavy silver metal. I did not pick fancy, filigree designs because I wanted something that displayed strength. This was not a crown for show but rather one of action. Chains looped around the back of the crown, hanging low to represent my connection between the heavens and Earth. At the base of the chains were blood-red stones to serve as a reminder to me of how I found myself in this position and to never take it for granted.
Gray broke out of whatever thoughts the crown had spurred. He offered me one hand, and I placed my own in it. Carefully, heguided me towards the throne that was now mine, and I stood before it, facing the crowd.
“Quentin, as I place this crown upon your head, do you promise to rule Elysia from your heart and consider all your kin during your reign?”
A promise to remember that I served them all. It was a promise made in front of them all that I would not become the dictator in how Hunter had fashioned himself.
“I will do so,” I said, fighting against the emotion that threatened to choke the words.
“Do you promise to rule as fair and just and to seek the approval of your council?”
I put my council together so that my decisions were not made alone. It was filled with Gods with different skills and ages who could weigh in on the issues. They had a role, and I expected them to fulfil it, but that started with me being able to be transparent with the things that concerned us all.
“I will do so.”
