Silence. Then quiet murmurs, Bonded to Bonded, human to human.
“To be clear,” comes Sovereign Alpha Siegrid’s stern voice, reaching out to all the Bonded in the same way that I did from somewhere leagues away, “my family and I are the sworn protectors of the crown, and we recognize Meryn Sturmfrost as the legitimate heir to the throne. As your Sovereign Alpha, I expect to see that same loyalty from all true Bonded.”
It loosens a breath from my chest.
She’s down at the front, but her words will carry weight for all the Bonded there and here. And as the Sovereign Alpha, she and her wolf could theoretically command all the Bonded to follow her lead.
I believe I could as well, in theory. King Cyril certainly could, using the Dire Blade.
But by putting this as an encouragement and not a direct command, Siegrid is giving our people something they haven’t had in far too long. Something that I want them to have, too: free will.
I can only hope it will be enough.
For a long, awkward moment, nobody in the arena moves. The sound of my own labored breath seems loud and pathetic as I look around, not sure what to expect next.
Leader Aldrich steps forward first, breaking away from a group of older Bonded, walking slowly, head held high until the moment he bows it. Standing apart from the crowd, he lowers to a knee. His wolf follows, bowing her head low, shutting her eyes.
Then Aldrich says, “I pledge my loyalty to you, Queen Meryn.”
Tears spring to my eyes at the acknowledgment, and I blink them back. Hearing his words spoken aloud, calling me queen… the moment freezes crystalline in my mind, and I know I’ll never forget it.
My friends Izabel and Venna step up next, their wolves flanking the twins. I bite my bottom lip, hard, to keep the tears from returning. They both salute me and then kneel next to Aldrich, their wolves lowering their heads in respect. Tomison and Nevah and their wolves join them.
It’s strange, at first, to see them like that. They taught me to fight. I got drunk with them. We survived together. And they’rebowingto me.
Their faith in me expands in my chest, painful and comforting at the same time.
The tension in the arena is thick as everyone waits to see what others will do. Anassa’s growl starts up again, and I sense her mind focusing, straining against something—having her own mental communication with the wolves, I assume.
Then the rest of the Strategos Rawbond class strides forward, one or two pairs at a time. Silver-white wolves kneel, their riders bowing or kneeling beside them.
Their mass support sends warmth shooting through me. Even Anassa stands a little straighter as we survey the line of Strategos wolves and riders, all acknowledging a truth I’ve barely digested myself.
I’m the rightful leader of the Bonded, and of all Nocturna.
After that, the rest of the Trials instructors step up, and a handful of Kryptos, followed by some Daemos and Phylax riders.
But it’s not the majority of the Bonded, I notice. Clutches of older Bonded riders still stand apart, speaking with one another in low voices or silently communicating with their wolves.
The castle staff all cluster close to the exits to the arena, watching the scene with wary eyes or edging quietly away. I can’t fault them for not wanting to get closer to this massive gathering of direwolves and riders, though, no matter their loyalties.
A number of Rawbonds hesitate, too. Many of them are people I’ve seen adozen times, even fought next to in this very arena, but have never actually spoken with or had a real interaction with.
FuckingKillian. I spent so much time with that lying asshole, and less time than I could have getting to know my fellow Rawbonds. Now I’ll have to work extra hard to get them on my side.
“Now that you’ve decided they are even worth having on your side,” Anassa chides gently, and I realize I’ve been thinking toward her.
“You’re right,” I respond, sighing.“Though in my defense, maybe I would have paid more attention to building up support if I had known a little more about what was coming.”
Anassa gives a regal sniff and doesn’t respond.
“Please, rise,” I call, realizing that some of the Bonded are still bowing. “I know the truth about the Valtiere line is shocking. And this is all very new. To be honest, I’m still figuring out exactly what all this means. I hope that I can count on your help to make sure this transition is peaceful.”
There’s sudden movement to my right, and I spin in time to see Jonah push through a group of my Kryptos supporters, sitting astride his wolf.
“You should mount,” Anassa warns, but I shake my head.
“I don’t want to escalate anything,” I insist.“There doesn’t need to be any fighting here today.”
