“Bring my father to his rooms,” I commanded the servants. “Make sure he’s comfortable.”
Our kingdom was vulnerable. My people looked to me now. I pulled away from Kadin and stepped past the holy man, who moved to the side. With everything that had taken place, especially the revelation of Gifted women, I needed to show strength. No doubt Amir had spies in place for the slightest opportunity to return.
I knew what I had to do.
Reaching for the heavy gold crown on the dais, meant to replace the one on my head during the wedding ceremony, making me a queen by marriage, I lifted it gently for all to see.
“Please be seated,” I said, though many already were.
As the few remaining lowered themselves into their chairs, I waited.
Kadin raised a brow, but he sat as well. Rena didn’t take the hint until I waved for her to join him. That left only myself and the holy man at the front of the room.
I let the silence stretch until even the shuffling in the crowd ceased.
Carefully, I handed the crown to the holy man, maintaining ceremony as best as I could, considering I was breaking it.
Understanding my decision, he moved up the stairs to stand at the top of the dais.
Before I followed, I lifted my mother’s silver crown off my head. The diamonds sparkled in the sunlight. It only served to remind me of Gideon’s history with my mother.
Setting it on the cushion where the other crown had rested, I faced my guests. “My father istemporarilyindisposed.” I emphasized the fleeting aspect. “In these difficult circumstances... I will rule in his place.”
I forced an edge to my tone so it wouldn’t crack. “With everyone gathered here for a ceremony, you will all bear witness to my coronation.”
They didn’t miss my choice of words. Bearing witness was usually reserved for the Jinn and meant to be taken with utmost gravity.
I knelt on the steps before the holy man.
Signaling for him to begin, I listened to the thoughts and outright whispers across the room that it wasn’t right, that a woman couldn’t rule—especially not a Gifted one.
I ignored them.
My wedding was now my coronation.
With everything that’d happened over the last hour, everyone was too shaken to protest. They sat shell-shocked as the ceremony unfolded.
When the holy man spoke the final rites, he raised the crown above my head, jewels glittering in the last bits of light as the sun set.
He lowered the crown onto my temples, and I felt its weight, cold and solid, heavier than I’d ever imagined.
No longer the princess of Hodafez.
I was the reigning Queen.
