Marik clears his throat and says, “On the bright side, we get to learn more about you.” His eyes crinkle as they land back on me.
I smile, again feeling uncomfortable at the reminder that my sister’s death landed me here. “Yes,” I say, trying desperately to inject rainbows and butterflies into my tone. “I’m delighted to be here. The next few months will be an exciting time as I get to know you all,” I say, glancing between Marik and Asmo.
Asmo’s eyes brighten slightly as my gaze lands on him. “I never would have taken you for someone who didn’t grow up here. Your manners and your way of speaking are impressive for your…background,” he says.
I don’t know what the hell that means, but I paste that smile back on my face and say, “I’ve been taught well over the last few days. Where are King Vasuki and Queen Minerva? I was expecting to meet them today.”
“They couldn’t make it,” Marik says. No further explanation. Alrighty then.
Out of the corner of my eye, Asmo watches me carefully. I shift in my black heels, the weight of his gaze heavy.
Feeling uncomfortable, I hold up my champagne glass and excuse myself. Elle follows me, falling into step beside me as I walk away from the Serpent Princes. She introduces me to other members of the royal court, and I spend the rest of the reception thanking people for coming and trying to share in their grief, but it feels impossible to do when I didn’t know the deceased.
Thankfully, Ivan’s voice booms through the yard, announcing the conclusion of the reception. Elle and I take our leave and head to join Ivan at the top of the stairs so we can greet each guest as they leave.
I’m not sure if it’s my magic sensing Asmo’s gaze still lingering on me, but I don’t feel it leave me until after I see him leave the castle.
Chapter11
The next day, Cally arrived at the castlefor my coronation. The moment she saw me, she pulled me into the tightest hug she’s ever given me. We spent the entire morning walking the grounds, lost in conversation, William trailing closely behind. Cally asked me a million questions about my new title and what it’s been like to live in a castle, followed by a million more questions about meeting the princes.
Now, we stand before Ruby and Nora while they help me into my coronation dress, a stunning A-line gown covered in tulle the color of pine trees.
“This dress is to die for,” Cally whispers as I step into the gown.
I pull the dress up, relishing the way it fits. The bodice hugs my curves perfectly and is detailed with tiny cream pearls and diamonds that make the dress look like it’s sparkling. Thin lines of gold travel through the flowing skirt, resembling tiny branches that cascade from the bodice. The sleeves elegantly hang off my shoulders and show off my slender frame. A matching cape will flow behind me, hanging from my shoulders and covered in the same lace, pearl, and diamond details.
My white hair is styled in a bun at the base of my skull, with loose tendrils curled as they frame my face. Behind me, Ruby pulls out a crown from a velvet green box. She walks toward me and unclasps the hook in the back, gently placing it around my antlers and on my head before clasping the crown shut. The crown itself is gold, with branches extending upward. Delicate golden leaves and red berries adorn the branches while nearly imperceptible diamonds sparkle along the intricate branches.
“This is the crown of the High Queen,” she says, eyes lighting up as our eyes meet in the mirror. “Ivan will place this on your head after you recite the Monarch’s Oath. Until then, you’ll wear the crown from yesterday. Are you ready?”
I straighten in my seat and tilt my chin upwards, unable to look away from the female staring back at me. I spell a subtle glamour around myself, making it look as if a light is shining upon me. The diamonds on the crown and the dress twinkle with every movement I make.
I look like magic incarnate.
I look like the High Queen of the Forest.
Elle knocks on the door to escort me to the starting point of the procession, a small clearing in the forest about a mile down the path. When she sees me, her jaw immediately drops.
“Mae…” she says, staring at me. “You look…” She doesn’t finish. Instead, she dips down into a deep bow, just like the one she gave Prince Asmo. She rises slowly and says in a soft voice, “You look like my queen.”
This time, I don’t scoff or tell her to stop. Instead, I walk over to her and hold her hands in mine. “Thank you. For everything. You have no idea how grateful I am to have had you as my friend this week.”
She smiles at me and squeezes my hands. “I’ll be your friend as long as you’ll have me.”
Suddenly, I’m overcome with emotion. My life is about to change again. Although it’s for the better, I wish I could just spend my time with Elle swimming in heated pools or at Bound with Cally.
“You look amazing,” I say, forcing a smile onto my face. And she does. She’s wearing a dark green strapless A-line gown that accentuates her impeccable figure.
“Wait for the best part,” she says, lifting her dress and revealing a dagger clipped to her thigh.
My eyes widen in shock. “What are you doing with that?”
She covers the dagger up and glares at me. “Mae, how many times are we going to remind you that your father was murdered a week ago, and we still don’t know who did it?”
“Right.”
“Hey, I know it’s not my place, but have you talked to your aunt lately?” she asks me, her voice softening.
