The carriage had an open top, which meant we weren’t concealed from the public. There was an invisible ward around the carriage to protect us from any magical attack, but that wasn’t what I was worried about. I was more concerned with making a fool of myself. I pressed my leg to Ethan’s as the carriage started forward, and made way for the gates that led into the city. My heart was like iron, dropping into my gut with a harshthud.
“I’ll be beside you all the way,” Ethan said, and he grabbed my hand. “Let us take what is ours.”
The palace gates opened. Hundreds of faces peered back at me, some judging, some hopeful. There were cheers, screams and shouts. Applause rang throughout the city streets, and I realized… they were cheering forus.
“Smile and wave, Emma.” Ethan inclined his head to the public, looking all royal and shit as he raised a fair hand. He’d been born to do this. Hell, he wasusedto it. It was what he’d grown up with, being a prince. Being in the spotlight was his natural inclination. It was different for me. I wasn’t used to being the center of attention.
That’s not true. This is like ice skating, I thought.It’s all about putting on a show.
I plastered on a smile and lifted my hand to wave to the public. They went wild, their screams rising to the clouds. I noticed a few gazes of fae that appeared reluctant as we passed, but I paid them no mind, focusing more on the faces of those that seemed happy we were taking the crown. One girl wept tears of joy as we passed, like we were the answer to her prayers.
Elijah and Gabby had really hurt these people. I could only hope Ethan and I could repair the damage that had been done.
Children tossed flowers in front of our carriage from the streets. The cheers didn’t stop, and only got louder as we pulled up to the cathedral in the middle of the city. TheKatedra da du Boyinatowered over me, inviting me in with her massive spires. Even now, the massive cathedral of my goddess felt like home.
The carriage came to a stop. Guards flanked in to block the crowd as the carriage door was opened by a footman. Ethan stepped out of the carriage, and raised a hand to help me down. I glanced at a camera, which was held up by a reporter fromThe Annual Arcaneatwenty feet away.
Fuck the cameras.I told myself not to pay attention to them, and put on an effortless grin that took all the effort in the world. These people needed me to give them hope. I would not let them down.
The overwhelming feelings rushing through my veins nearly dropped me to my knees as I stepped out of the carriage. I took Ethan’s hand, and started up at the beautiful statues of the gods surrounding the outside of the cathedral. Honor, joy, and a sense of pride surged through me as Ethan and I climbed the stone steps upward.
Just before we reached the top step, a memory flooded into my mind, heavy and true. I recalled how the hag had appeared to me in the tent during the King’s Contest, when I’d asked for Milonna’s guidance. The hag had encouraged me to use the dark necklace in the Contest, to save Ethan’s life and to help us win.
“He will be king,” the hag had said. “But only if you do what you must.”
I thought she’d lied to me after we’d lost the Contest, but the hag had told the truth. I just hadn’t heard her clearly.
Ethanwouldbe king, and I would become his queen. It was happening right now, in the flesh. But the only reason we had gotten here was due to my grit and determination. Over the past three years, I had been willing to do whatever it took to keep Ethan alive and get him on that throne.
Now, the hag’s words were coming true.
The cathedral doors opened, and I had to hold in a gasp of wonderment. The cathedral was swathed with nobles, waiting in the pews for Ethan and I. Soft music rang overhead, the voices of a heavenly choir singing a song to the gods in Malovian. Navy banners hung from the ceiling of the cathedral, depicting the royal crest, which had symbols of each of four Factions displayed.
We wandered up the hallway of the cathedral, arm-in-arm. I shook, yet Ethan was steady. I didn’t dare to look at him, keeping my eyes locked forward on the high priestess at the front of the room.
I tried to feel him out through our bond, but instead of excitement or trepidation, all I could muster from Ethan was a sense of calm acceptance. This was his destiny, and after years of disappointment and patience, his reward was finally ahead.
Placed on the altar were two thrones. On a stand between them were three items— a golden orb, a scepter, and a jeweled necklace. The orb and the scepter were for Ethan, and the necklace was for me. The orb was carved with fae runes, and symbolized the country. The scepter represented Ethan’s power, and how he would use it to govern Malovia. The necklace would stand for my sovereignty and grace as I guided the country under Ethan’s hand. That such revered and honored objects were being bestowed upon us gave me a great sense of privilege, and I felt so honored to be here.
Our friends were standing in the frontmost pew. Ozzie bounced excitedly next to Jasper, who had to put a hand on his shoulder to steady him. I caught the comforting gazes of Delmare, Odette, Kiara, Stefan, Theo, and Alexei— the friends who had become my dearest and closest family. The girls were eager, while the boys were tense with anticipation. They’d been waiting for this day almost as long as we had, since the King’s Contest had started. As my ladies and Ethan’s advisors, this was as big a day for them as it was for us.
Finlay, annoyingly, appeared bored, as if wishing we’d just get this over with. He yawned, and Amantha smacked him across the chest.
Arthur gave me a warm and welcoming grin as I neared the altar. When I looked at my brother, any unease I felt washed away. He believed I could do this, and so did I.
Before the last step that led to the altar, I realized my greatest truth. The monarchy wasn’t about me. It was about Malovia, her history and what she would stand for in the dark days to come. I had a duty to preserve her legacy.
There was a reason I hadn’t been crowned queen years ago. I wasn’t ready for it. I still had lessons to learn, things to conquer before I was ready to take the throne.
But I was ready now. And I would show the world that this was my destiny.
Ethan and I let go of each other, and knelt on velvet pillows before the altar of the high priestess. She stood before us, and the music in the cathedral fell silent.
The high priestess lifted her hands to the pews. “People of Malovia. We are here today to bear witness to the coronation of a new king and queen. Ethan Nowak and Emmaline Sosna, are you willing to take the oath of the monarchy?”
“We are willing,” Ethan and I responded in unison. The cathedral was so deathly silent that our voices resonated around the room, echoing up to the ceiling.
“Then let it be so,” the high priestess said. “Do you both swear to govern the fae of Malovia, according to the law of the gods and the customs of our people?”
