A chill went down my spine, but I forced myself to lounge comfortably back on the throne, my wings extending out over the edges.
“Yes. A Queen of Stars and a King of Night, are the only hope to see the world made right,” Calix reiterated, and I swallowed as the pressure on my chest increased. But I let Calix’s confidence soothe me.
He turned his head to me and nodded, and I turned my attention to the crowd.
“People of Night Kingdom!” I called out, suppressing a shudder at so many sets of eyes staring back at me. “I promise I will serve you. I will protect you. And I will love you. You gave me a home when I was lost, and it was here that I truly found myself. Night will always be my home, and I will fight for it more fiercely than any queen has before.”
The reference to the prophecy had them excited, but my last words had them chantingStar Queenin a way that brought a glimmer of tears to my eyes.
“The war has come,” I told them heavily once they quieted, and I stood from the throne, stepping toward the edge of the dais. Calix’s pride beat within my soul, keeping me going. “A war that will define the course of Celesterra forever. Both of our birth prophecies spoke of what our destiny entailed, and one thing was made perfectly clear. Together, Calix and I will face what comes, and I promise you here and now, I will not stop until we defeat those who would bring chaos and death to this world! I will fight and fight again. I will not falter. Not until the war is won, for all of us!”
Loud cheers followed my words, some chanting my title once more, others screaming in joy. I took a deep breath, taking it all in. Calix came and took my hand, and the crowd went even more insane.
Calix brought them back to order with a raised hand. “We thank you all for coming for your future queen’s introduction. To celebrate this historic day, we invite you all to stay for the ball!”
Cheers sounded as a sudden gust of wind swept into the room dramatically. Baach was there, having opened the double doors, winking at us as he directed people out so they could transform the space. They were all invited outside or to the other hall for cocktails, ensuring no one felt bored as they waited.
As tables and chairs were brought into the throne room, I slumped back onto the throne itself, finally feeling a weight lifted off me. Calix chuckled. “See, it wasn’t as bad as you imagined, right?”
I narrowed my eyes at him jokingly, but a smile cracked through. “No, it was okay.”
“Okay?” He gasped dramatically, before turning serious. “You did amazing. They love you already.”
“They shouldn’t.” I countered, raising a brow. “I haven’t done anything yet.”
He went to one knee in front of the throne, careful not to bump his sword, and put a hand on my knee. “You promised to fight for them. That you would keep fighting. You told them this was your home. That they are your people. Knowing that you’re the heir to Day, that by right,theyshould be your people. You have no idea how much that meant to them.”
Chapter Thirty-seven
Asteria
When the room was ready,everyone was led back into the transformed throne room, but Calix and I had moved back into the antechamber to be reintroduced for the first dance.
Ilta bounced up to us, clapping her hands in excitement. “That was amazing!”
“You guys did perfectly.” Baach winked at me as he came up behind her, laying an arm around her shoulders. Ilta flushed, looking up at him with starry eyes of her own.
“Thank you both.” I smiled gratefully, and turned that smile to the side as Lilith walked in.
“There you are!” She gave me a faux scowl. “Do you know how hard it is to get a face-to-face with you these days?”
I groaned, leaning back into Calix, who chuckled, his chest rumbling against my back. “Tell me about it. It’s been insane.”
Lilith chuckled, a smile taking over her face. “I know, but don’t worry. For tonight at least, you can let go and just enjoy for a bit.”
“Just don’t enjoy too much,” Harpina teased. “We do have a war to fight. You’re new enough to fighting, I don’t want to see what you’d do in a battle hung over.”
I glared at her while everyone laughed, but she just sent me a wink that had me rolling my eyes.
Delia walked in with Priscilla, and I was happy to see how much those two had been getting along. I felt bad that I was so busy right now. I wished I could spend more time with everyone. I just needed to remind myself that this was necessary, and temporary. Once it was over, we could all spend plenty of time together.
“You guys looked gorgeous up there together.” Ilta enthused, swooning slightly. “Everyone is talking about how the Star Queen is the perfect complement to our Night King.”
“They’re talking about more than that,” Eryx added, his eyes watching Delia intensely enough that she flushed. While she might be avoiding a relationship, the way she eyed him in return told me she was more than willing to indulge in her feelings tonight.
“They feel a lot more confident about the battles to come.” Eryx smiled, clapping a hand on Calix’s shoulder. “I told you they just needed to meet her.”
Calix rolled his eyes, but nodded in agreement. I was distracted as Titan walked in, however. He’d been guarding us from the side of the throne, but I was anxious to see what he thought.
