Page 80 of Queen of Serpents and Shadows

“I think he’s a good man,” I added. “He has demonstrated that he cares for his people, and he’s been helping Athos to show he cares for you.”

“I thought I understood men. I thought I knew what they wanted. I thought I was there to look pretty and fill their beds. I don’t know how to be a queen,” she said.

“You’ll learn,” I said.

“Will you? You never wanted to be queen, and now your mate is next in line for Konos while we actively try to kill their current king,” she pointed out.

My mouth felt dry. “That’s complicated.”

“Tell me about it,” she answered with a heavy sigh.

We both sat in silence for a long moment. I wished I could say something comforting, but I wasn’t sure which of her concerns I should address.

Suddenly, she stood. “You’ll help me dress.”

I rose. “Of course.”

She picked up the shimmery saffron fabric, then passed it to me. I took it from her and noticed that it wasembroidered with small orange flames along the hem. A fiery dress for a future Queen of the Dragons.

I helped her into the chiton, draping and pinning it as I went. When I was finished, I stepped back, taking her in. “It’s stunning. A perfect color for you.”

She smiled, but it was a tight, tense smile.

“Would you like me to help you with your hair?” I offered.

“Please.” She sat down on the small stool at her vanity.

The servants were either helping with the influx of people we had on our grounds, or they’d left to be with their families. A pang of sadness made my chest ache as I recalled all the times Mila had helped me with my hair. What I wouldn’t give to have her back with me, just so I could tell her how much she meant to me. We’d had so much loss and I knew there would be more before this was over. I wondered if the ache in my chest would ever fully cease.

I did my best to twist and pin her hair. I added pearls and gold beads to add some sparkle. Carefully, I applied shimmery pink and gold powder to her eyes and cheeks, then lined her eyes with kohl before helping her paint her lips a deep red.

When she stood, I took a step back to take her in. My lips parted. With her gold hair, icy blue eyes, and perfect curves, she was always the most beautiful of the four of us. With the stunning chiton dress, shimmery makeup and sparkling hair, she was ethereal. She was the embodimentof what royalty was supposed to look like. “You look like the Queen of Drakous.”

She gave me a skeptical look before peering at herself in the mirror.

“Are you ready for this?” I asked carefully.

When she turned to look at me, she seemed taller. “You did your part, Ara. Now, this is how I do mine.”

A gentle knock sounded on the door. “I’ll get it,” I said as I crossed the room. I opened it just a crack, unsure if Cora was ready for anyone else to see her dressed for the ceremony.

“The Dragon King sent me with this gift for his bride,” a dragon soldier who’d come with the king held out a wooden box. “He would be honored if she’d wear it for the ceremony.”

I accepted the box. “Thank you. I’ll make sure Cora receives it.”

The soldier bowed, then left. I closed the door, then returned to Cora.

Her brow furrowed as she accepted the box from me. She took a seat, then wordlessly opened it. We both gasped as we stared at an intricate crown. Gold flames were carefully crafted and connected in a circle, making the whole crown look like it was burning. Along the base of the flames were red garnets, orange amber, and yellow citrine. The shining stones helped give the illusion that the flames were burning, made even more pronounced by the excellent craftsmanship of the varying sizes and shapes of the overlapping flames.

“This is too beautiful,” Cora said. “I can’t.” She held it away from her as if it might actually burn her.

I took the crown from her, surprised that it was much lighter than I thought it would be. “You can.” I lifted it, moving slowly, in case she objected. Instead, she closed her eyes and tilted her chin.

I set the crown atop her head. It fit her as if it was designed for her. I didn’t know where it had come from, or how he’d had it made, but it was like it had always meant to be on Cora’s head.

“It’s perfect,” I said.

She grabbed my wrist. “I’m afraid, Ara. What if I don’t ever love him? What if it’s all just lust that fades?”

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