I looked up from my desk to see Leo leaning against the doorframe of my office, his eyebrows quirked in that semi-judgmental but always loving expression he wore so well.
I waved him off. “Just finishing the paperwork for the accords with Mysthelm. I’ll be there in a second.”
“Rissa, literally everyone here is waiting for you. This will still be right where you left it when it’s over.”
With a sigh, I set the parchment down and glanced at the gown hanging from the door that led to my bedchamber. The solid gold fabric trailed down and pooled in waves on the floor. Pleats with thousands of glittering gold beads cascaded from the fitted bodice.
“You know when it feels like every decision you’ve ever made all leads to this one thing? But when the time finally comes, it’s like you’re looking over the top of a hill,” I said quietly, still staring at the dress as I ran a finger along my lip. “And the only place to go is down.”
“What are you talking about?” Leo stepped into the office, flicking the door closed behind him with his tail. “Take it fromsomeone who’s known you your entire life: there’s only one direction you know how to go. And that’sup. I’ve never seen anything you’ve been unable to take on. You started an entire rebellion when you were twenty-two, for Fates’ sake. And now look at you, six years later and you’re about to be crowned the youngest empress in history.”
He reached my desk and pulled me from the seat as my head rolled back on my shoulders in defiance. “I don’t think there’s a single mountain you can’t climb. You don’t have to be worried about looking down.”
“And what makes you so confident?”
“Because,” that half-smirk of his worked its way onto his face, “you’re my big sister.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the smile that formed. “First Rose, now you. When did the two of you get so good at motivational speeches? Aren’t you the grumpy one?”
“Blame it on Rose. I drew the short straw, and she made me come talk to you.”
I chuckled. “Now, that sounds more likely.”
“Come on,” he said, heading back to the door. “Get dressed. You’ve been running this empire for a year—it’s about time we finally got that crown on your head.”
I heardtrumpets echoing down the hall before I even reached the throne room. The swishing of skirts against hardwood floor, the chatter fading to a dull whisper as anticipation swept through the crowd just beyond the double doors. I couldn’t see them yet, but I could smell the plethora of perfumes mingling in the air, the crisp scent of autumn leaves lingering on cloaks, the recently waxed floors and fresh coat of paint we’d added three days ago.
I made my way down the corridor, which was empty save for a handful of guards and the seven members of my council. I had toadmit, they all cleaned up rather nicely in their matching emerald Veridian robes.
I caught my reflection in one of the decorative mirrors near the door. The neckline of my gown plunged low into the gold, fitted bodice. A sheer cape attached at the shoulders and flowed down to my wrists, extending whenever I moved my arms. The myriad of gold jewels caught the light and scattered across the floor as I approached the council.
“You look beautiful, Your Majesty,” Lord Cabot said, bowing low. Several of the others murmured in agreement, while Lord Stryker caught my eye and inclined his head ever so slightly.
I suppressed a smirk. He likely knew today marked his final day on the council.
It had officially been a year since I became the empress-elect. A year since Gayl died and our empire was thrown into turmoil. A year that I’d had to cater to the whims of these men, ruling with what slack the law deigned to give me in our time of transition.
I’d proven myself. I’d done what was asked of me. Now, it was time to claim what was mine. To rebuild the legacy that was stolen from my father and bring peace back to a land drenched in decades of division. There was a long road ahead of me and more questions than answers. But I was ready.
Leo was right. It was finally time.
“On your word, Your Majesty,” Lord Temvaren said.
I nodded. “Open the doors.”
Two guards pulled the handles of the double doors, revealing the throne room packed with guests. The governors from every province and their families had been invited—although Kane Scarven declined, as expected. Everything had been silent on that front for three months now. No more suspicious notes, no threats, no assassination attempts. I supposed Nox was keeping him busy.
It seemed like the entirety of Veridia City was in attendance. Members of nobility gazed back at me from both sides of a long aisle, their hair perfectly curled and styled, their gowns and cloaks made of the finestsilks.
But what held my attention were the rows and rows of townspeople from the south sector. The sight of worn linen shirts and pressed cotton dresses, hair pulled back from tan and wrinkled faces, hands callused from years of hard work as they carefully took off their caps in respect. I saw Dippy, our favorite old bartender from the Drakin’s Lair, and his wife and five children. Mali, the shopkeeper of the dress salon we frequented, with Angeline, the baker from down the street who made the best cream dumplings. The butcher and the team of Veridia City reporters next to Rothy from Rose’s favorite tea house.
A lump formed in my throat as I took in their familiar, comforting faces. The faces of the people I was pledging my life to serve. The faces of the people who’d watched me grow up, from an uncontrollable little Shifter to the leader of their rebellion.
The trumpets on the outer edges of the room blared again. One by one, the members of my council descended the green-draped aisle. Only when they were all standing in a line at the opposite end of the throne room did I step onto the carpet.
All eyes fell on me.
Their weight sank into my skin as I walked. The weight of their expectations, of their needs and desires and concerns. But it wasn’t a burden. It was aprivilege. An honor I’d spend my life making sure I lived up to.
