But staring into her eyes, she looks at me like the words are still burning her throat, like they’re fighting to be free even now. In that look, I can’t explain it, I justknow. I know what she meant to say. I know what she feels.
Relief crashes over me so violently I almost stagger. The happiness is sharp, breathless, and terrifyingly strong. I want to laugh, to shout, to drag her against me and tell her I heard her anyway. That I’ll hold onto those unsaid words until she finds the courage to finish them.
But I don’t. I can’t. Not here.
So I steady my breathing, fighting to keep the wild grin from my lips. I offer her my arm once more, trying to look calm when inside I’m nothing but fire.
She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s given me everything. When this is over and it’s only us again, I’ll tell her.
I’ll tell her what I feel.
Because now…there is no going back.
Chapter 44
?---- Koen ? ----?
We enter the great hall, Serenya still on my arm. My heart won’t settle—still pounding from the words she didn’t say. From the look in her eyes. Thataffection, raw and real.
The marble floor gleams underfoot, light catching in every line. Pillars flank the chamber, rising into sweeping arches. Light from the chandeliers flickerssoftly.
At the center, the ceiling stretches higher. Part of it is glass, showing the pale morning sky. The rest is painted with murals of Phynnera walking among mortals and fae, her light glowing down on both.
At the far end, a dais rises, holding three thrones. The queen sits in the middle—regal. The king’s seat is empty, a quiet reminder of everything that weighs on this kingdom.
Guests fill the rows lining the aisle, and more stand in the back. To the right, the Araluen and Noctheron courts sit side by side. Too close. Too tense. You canfeelit.
Asbel and Lioran stand below the dais on the left. I force my eyes away from them, focusing only on the path ahead.
I escort Serenya to her throne beside her mother’s, then step into the open center before the dais. Bowing low, I fix my gaze on Queen Zephyra.
She rises, and at once, the hall falls silent. Her voice rings clear, steady, woven with power. “We have gathered today to hold the Ceremony of the Divine, the first of its kind in centuries. The last was when King Thalon was blessed by Phynnera. Now, we stand witness as our future king is chosen to receive the same blessing.”
Her eyes meet mine, sharp and unwavering. “Koen Moriver, you may rise. No longer do you kneel before anyone.”
A hush ripples through the hall as I obey, standing tall though my chest feels tight with the enormity of it.
The queen gestures, her voice carrying through the vaulted chamber. “Let us begin.”
The priestess steps forward, her white robes brushing the marble floor. She lifts a hand, palm glowing faint blue.
Her voice spills out in an ancient language—each word strange, heavy with meaning.
Symbols flicker in the air, falling one by one. They land around my feet, glowing runes etched into the stone. When the last rune seals itself, the light in her palm fades.
“It is done,” she says, stepping aside to take her place at the queen’s right.
Queen Zephyra turns to Serenya, her expression softening. “Princess Serenya, take your place beside him. Hold his hand. You will be his anchor. What feels like only seconds to us will be minutes to him.”
Serenya rises, her movements fluid and sure despite theeyes watching her. She steps to my side and slips her hand into mine. At once, the air changes. With her here, everything feels…right. Like I’ve been holding my breath my entire life, and only now that she’s by my side, can I finally breathe.
The queen’s voice draws me back. “Koen, close your eyes, and call to the goddess with your mind.”
Serenya leans into me and whispers, “It’s not too late to back out.”
My head snaps to her, voice low. “What?”
“If you go through with this, you will no longer be human. Not only that, but you will become aking. You never chose to be here. It was all forced on you.” Her eyes search mine. “If you don’t want this, I’ll understand. Tell me now, and I’ll find a way to get you out.”
