I knew his own passion for freeing humans originally came from the bond, but it meant everything to me that he took that and ran with it. The idea that I inspired the first Fae king to turn against slavery left me feeling bright and warm inside.
We spent hours hashing out tactics for Nithe to use. How to stir the humans to rebel, how to help them escape, how we were going to handle an influx of free humans was even hashed out. Notices would go out across all our allied territories, calling for volunteers to lend aid in the matter. We’d make sure no one would go homeless or hungry.
But first, we needed to ensure their freedom. That was the key to all of it. But I knew with the horrifying acts Cyrus was committing, we could finally get the remaining humans to see the truth. The false comfort they’d felt couldn’t last forever. The time for being content with this half-measure peace was over.
Even if I was still personally straining to feel the truth of my freedom. As long as Cyrus lived, I wasn’t sure Icouldfeel it.
But that was something to deal with later.
“Do you happen to know why Ilta is searching me out for a dress fitting?” I asked Calix, my brow cocked.
He smiled slyly, pulling me into him. “I do, as it happens.”
He leaned into me, biting my lip slightly.
“Care to fill me in?” I teased, nipping him back.
He chuckled, his smile devastating as he looked down at me with so much emotion in his eyes, the Aurora shining brilliantly in his purple orbs. “Eryx pointed out that the people of Night need to officially be introduced to you. As my mate. And as the future queen.”
My heart seemed to stop beating for a moment, only to start again at double speed.
“Right,” I croaked out, cringing.
“You’re going to be perfect, my réalta.” He reassured me, rubbing my back. “They are just curious.”
“Yes, they are!” Ilta sing-songed as she breezed over to us, and I rolled my eyes.
Where in Tartarus did she even come from?
“And we need to plan this party very quickly, so let’s get to it, you two!” Baach exclaimed, waving his hands dramatically at us, his red hair flying around his shoulders.
I looked up at Calix helplessly, but he shrugged, just as helpless to do anything. So we let them pull us separate ways, even if both ways led to party planning of some sort.
“Aren’t there more important things to be focusing on than this?” I complained to Ilta, who narrowed her eyes at me.
“Don’t underestimate the power of the people’s love, Asteria,” she admonished. “If the people of Night meet and love you, you’ll have much more power than if they don’t know or understand where you fit in here. They’ve waited centuries for Calix’s prophesied queen, and then two decadesimpatientlywaiting once his mark appeared. They knew his mate would be the queen they’d all been waiting for, after all.”
She paused and looked me dead in the eye, her usual playful attitude fading as she looked at me seriously. She pushed a lock of dark hair behind my ear before putting a hand on my cheek, ensuring I listened. “Theywilllove you, Asteria. And you can use that love. Use it to rule Night, to rule Day, to free the humans, to fight Cyrus.”
I tilted my head to the side as I considered her words, and how I could use that love to help. I still didn’t understandwhythey’d love me. I was no one, not really. An accident of birth didn’t make someone worth following.
I told Ilta as much, and she sighed sadly.
“You’re right. An accident of birth is no reason to follow a person.” She smiled then, confusing me. “So, go show them who you are. Show themwhyyou are worth following, and I guarantee you,they will.”
Chapter Thirty-six
Asteria
Not a day later,I found myself getting ready for my introduction to the people of Night. Anyone who could make it on time would be here. All to see their future queen.
Delia helped me get ready, and Priscilla assisted her, insisting it was good luck at this point to have her present. It made me smile, seeing her desire to continue this tradition. I enjoyed having the time together, so I would never argue against it.
Delia allowed me to leave my hair long and straight, but fitted a crown on my head that had me pulling a sharp breath in. It was made of silverium, and had the phases of the moon across it. The moon phases on each side tilted up slightly, leading up to what should have been the full moon in the middle, but instead held up a star at the highest point of the crown that was made completely of star opal. Each moon was outlined in star opal as well, and under the moon phases, the base of the crown itself had gems across its band. In addition to star opal and diamond, little golden gems were worked in, in what I knew was another nod to Day Kingdom, on top of the silverium.
Calix had gotten this crown made for me, knowing I’d need a crown for each kingdom. To properly represent the people, he’d said, at least for now. The fact he’d put so much of Day into it was touching, especially since he knew Day’s crown would have none of Night. That he cared so much to represent me as a person meant so much.
Priscilla finished my makeup, giving me glittering touches of silver on my face and outlining my eyes in dark kohl. My lips were painted a dark plum and looked perfect with the rest of the look.
