Page 120 of The Kingdom of Flames

“Celestine, of the Unbannered,” she said.

“The Banner that serves,” said the guard on the left.

“The Banner that seeks,” said the guard on the right.

“Step forth, should you be sought,” They both said in unison again, and they pulled the doors open.

Though she had spent time in close proximity to each of the Lords of Season, to see them all gathered, like rulers of the universe, each with its own whims and ways was overwhelming.

Celestine walked into the court, up the steps to the central dais. Each portion of the circle was built with a slice of stone from each of the lord’s bannered colors.

“Welcome, Final Bride,” Blackdawn spoke from his seat of shadow.

Hail, Lord of Death.

“My Lords.” Celestine nodded. She did not bow. Encarmine sat upon his throne of war. She walked forward and kissed him.

“Has a choice been made?” The Lord of Green asked from the Spring section.

“Apparently not,” said Lord Emberfell of Autumn, as Celestine left Encarmine, his beautiful eyes forlorn at her leaving. She went to Tristien. He looked well, and even coming closer to him, she could see his sorrow at what he had become, what he had done in denying himself, thinking to starve the river of control within him but only building it up to have it break forward.

“Celestine.” he hugged her, rising from his throne. She could feel the love within him. She felt the chains around her heart shift.

I still think of him, these chains will always be tethered to my heart.

“I forgive you.” She kissed him, tears running down her cheeks. “Please, do the same for me.”

Tristien, the most beautiful of the three lords of Summer, wiped a tear away with his thumb. It felt like sunshine drying her cheek. “I’ll never forgive you for filling my realm with the brightness within you and leaving. Yet anything else I can, I do forgive.”

Celestine went to Azure.

His face was full of mirth, taking in her leathers. “You would have won,” he said into her ear as they embraced. “Had you chosen the finish line.”

Celestine hugged him tightly. The one who had taught her so much, who had nurtured her back to life in a new way. “I realized it wasn’t my finish line.”

This pleased Azure and he smiled at her as he sat back down.

Celestine walked back into the center court, glancing at the three lords of Summer.

“Tell us, Final Bride, your decision,” Blackdawn spoke from a throne of shadow. She turned to look at him, the one in her dreams who she could not see.

This is not him, not on the throne. Nor is that his name. He is hidden even from these Lords.

The darkly handsome lord smiled at her as if reading her thoughts. Pleased by her cleverness.

His court is in my dreams.

“Yes.” the Green Lord of Spring sat upon his throne of nature. “What do you declare?”

Celestine rose, looking at each lord, even Vermilion, who stared at her with nothing but murder in his eyes. Despite the kindness she had shown him, she knew there would be nothing that could ever change him.

Silas, the thief and lord of Gold, winked at her, prompting her to speak. She remembered his roguish kiss, the barter he had made in tricking Vermilion.

“I have not chosen my groom, Lords of Calendar.”

Some laughed, others leaned forward, eager for the duel to come.

“I declare the three Lords of Summer equal. But first among them in their order should be Encarmine, Lord of the Red Banner.” She glanced down at the trophies won by him around her wrist. “For he was my first touch, and he proved himself with agony and valor. All men should compete for a woman’s touch in such a way, in three parts, to earn a crest.”

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