The music swelled as she stopped just before Senna and Ellerry. Lyria gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and moved into the crowd.
Senna reached for her hands, his touch light and warm. He smiled at her. Seeing how calm he was kept her focused. The music slowed to a pause and, within the silence that followed, a thick layer of anticipation suspended in the air.
“People of Valon,” Ellerry began. “Today, we bind together not only two fae, but a queen and her king.” She held a short rope in her hand, her face reserved and unreadable as it usually was. She placed the rope over Evelina’s arm first, then looped it under and around Senna’s, tying them together. “Repeat together after me: We bind this marriage in loyalty, honor, and respect for one another.”
“We bind this marriage in loyalty, honor, and respect for one another,” Senna and Evelina repeated in unison.
People cheered and clapped as the rope was laced another time around their wrists.
“In the way of the Woodland, we leave the rope securely tied for the remainder of the ceremony as a reminder of two being bound as one,” Ellerry continued. “An eternal knot is one of unwavering strength. It holds against any weight, secures the weakest of objects, not to be separated by weather or force.”
Evelina looked up at Senna at the same time he turned his head to look at her.
“We not only celebrate this day; we also mourn the loss of the late Queen Embry. But we honor her by carrying on her legacy to strive for a better tomorrow.”
Evelina swallowed, blinking back tears.
“We bring forth a new crown, as is the tradition of each new ruler, one forged on the morning of their coronation.” Ellerry motioned for the crowns to be brought forward. They rested on a velvet maroon pillow in the hands of one of the Aegis guards. “Not a single crown, but two. One for Queen Evelina and one for King Senna. They each bear a symbol of our kind: a goldenvine for the Woodland, forged from the fire of an Aegis, cooled in the water of an Undine, and made by the hand of a Nocturna.”
Evelina swallowed as Lyria retrieved the crowns and brought them forward, stopping between them and the crowd. Evelina’s crown was ringed with tall points, the bottom lined with a single golden vine, while Senna’s was composed of three thick vines woven together.
“As each ruler before you, you will kneel before your people, pledging your lives to serve and honor them.”
Evelina swept aside her gown, kneeling on the stairs. Senna did the same, helping her with her dress and settling beside her.
Ellerry reached over them, grabbing Senna’s crown off the pillow first. “Senna, do you promise to uphold the duty as King of the Valon Empire, to rule in the light of Eurydice, to bring peace when able, and protect when needed?”
Senna nodded and said, “I will.”
Ellerry lowered the crown onto his head. Senna was always calm, but in this moment, Evelina saw his jaw tighten and his brows draw together just slightly.
The first and only sign of his hesitation. She was glad she wasn’t alone in that.
Then Ellerry leaned forward again, picking up Evelina’s crown. She heard the tapping of Lyria’s shoes against the wooden floor as she returned to her seat by the council.
“And do you, Evelina Manor, bringer of light, promise to uphold the duty as Queen of the Valon Empire, to rule in the light of Eurydice, to bring peace when able, and protect when needed?”
Evelina’s breath caught. Her heart pounded in her chest as she answered, “I will.”
The crown was lowered onto her head. It was lighter than she expected.
“Then may you both be blessed by Eurydice.” Ellerrymotioned for them to stand, their backs still to the crowd. “And long may you reign as queen and king.”
Evelina and Senna were now married, bound together forever as husband and wife. They promised to protect the empire just as they promised to protect each other.
People cheered, throwing flowers into the air. Together, they walked hand in hand up the stairs. They paused in front of the thrones and turned around.
Everyone was smiling, cheering, clapping. Evelina’s eyes searched for Daimon, but the familiar pull she felt when he was near was absent. She couldn’t blame him for not coming.
Evelina turned to her sister, who was wiping a tear from her cheek. Annora was nestled against her and they stood together, hand in hand. She looked around the room, seeing Brielle towering above the crowd, a sad smile on her face. Evelina’s heart squeezed when she saw Willow and Aster beside her. She caught a glimpse of Gloriana, whom she hadn’t seen since they were at camp together. The healer waved, her eyes filled with pride.
Senna’s eyes were turned to Evelina, waiting for her move. Slowly, Evelina lowered herself onto the throne, and he followed.
They sat together, side by side, as Queen and King of the Valon Empire.
Sixty-Five
Daimon
