“This ring symbolizes the sanctity of this court,” Zayde said.
Layla clung to his arm, tears streaming down her face. She nodded. “It belongs to you, sister. Wear it in power.”
“May it guide you well,” Zayde finished as he slid the ring onto my right middle finger.
I could feel it tightening to ensure a good fit, and the way it almost fused with my skin. It warmed before cooling once more, and I knew in my heart that this court had accepted me.
“Wonderful.” Aunt Vera clapped her hands together. “We must do more. Hurry!”
“You can’t wear a tunic and pants on a day like this.” Layla stepped away from Zayde. She hugged me quickly, whispering by my ear. “Hold still. I’m not sure I’ve perfected this spell yet and . . . Alright, Vexxion might enjoy the naked end result, but you’ll shock the rest of us.” Stepping back, she nodded, wincing as she pinched her eyes closed.
When she opened them, I wore a rich black gown adorned with tiny gold jewels.
“You and Vexxion have a similar style.” My soft laugh rang out as I spun in a circle to flare the skirt. “It’s lovely. I don’t know why I need it but thank you.”
“You’ll see.” My aunt cast her smile around the room. “Next?”
“My magic isn’t quite at Layla’s level,” Airia said. “But I think I can handle something simple like this.” She flicked her finger my way, and my hair arranged itself on the top of my head with only tendril curls whispering across my exposed shoulders. “You look amazing,” she gushed, color rising into her face. “I wasn’t sure I could do that. Look at me. I’m actually learning some magic.”
I gave her a hug and we parted, her rushing back to stand by the fireplace while Reyla stepped forward.
“I suspect this is an important occasion, though I’m as unaware of what’s going on as you,” she said with a smile. “You’ve been my friend forever, and that means everything to me.”
“Reyla.” Tears choked my eyes, and I sniffed them back before they fell to make a mess of my pretty gown.
My friend closed her eyes and whispered, and a protective spell slid across my body. She sucked in a breath and opened her eyes, her gaze meeting mine. “I think I did that correctly.”
“Reyla is your enforcer.” Awe edged through Vera’s voice. “Why didn’t I see this?”
“Because I’ve only recently come into my true power.” Reyla shrugged. “I mean, I haven’t exactly mastered most of it yet, but I’m working on it.” She gave me a solemn nod. “You feel different, right? You can sense that it’s there, giving you a cloak that will protect you from at least one blow?”
“I can feel it. Thank you.” My voice choked off. “Love you, Reyla.”
She clasped my forearms. “Love you too.” When she stepped away from me, the grin I remember from when we were still tiny and racing around the fortress courtyard filled her face. “Me, an enforcer. Would you believe that?”
“One final thing, and then we’re ready.” My aunt walked over to stand in front of me. She lifted her open, empty palm between us. “You’ll need this, though I don’t expect you’ll want to walk around all the time with it on your head.”
The crown I’d stolen from Ivenrail’s room appeared in her hand.
“I’m afraid it’s been abused, but I can fix that.” A tap ofVera’s finger and the twists along the surface smoothed, though the thorns—my court’s thorns like those on my mother’s precious roses—remained.
Aunt Vera swallowed back her tears as she lifted it up over my head with magic. “Do you accept the duty and humble honor that comes with serving as Lydel Court’s High Lady?”
“Where did you get it?” I asked in a thready voice.
“I called it, and it came to me.” Her eyes told me a slightly different story. Did she know where I’d obtained it? Each item appeared to play a role in whatever game the fates were playing with us, and the more I knew of their strategy, the better I could control my actions rather than let the fates move me across the board like a game piece.
“Do you accept?” she asked again.
“I do.” A chime rang out the moment I spoke, and magic swirled through the air, making the jewels in the crown sparkle.
She lowered it onto my head.
Everyone in the room dropped to one knee and bowed.
“Wait, wait,” I cried out, flapping my hands at them. “You don’t need to do that. Yes, err, rise. Please, rise!”
Smiling, everyone got back up.
