Page 75 of Calling of the Crown

“Do you think your mom is watching at least?” Rune asked, nodding to all the basins full of water that surrounded the room.

I looked at the closest one—a trench made into the edges of the dais—and if I stared hard enough, I caught a flicker of movement like darting light beneath the surface.

Grinning at the water, I answered, “I do.”

“Good,” he said, and I could hear the smile in his voice even before I turned to see it. “I’m glad.”

And I knew he meant it. Even though his mother wasn’t here, he was happy for me and what I now knew about my own. I just wished I was able to give him back his mom like I’d been given mine.

By the time the last guest left, I was spent. My cheeks ached from smiling so much, and my butt was numb from sitting on the extremely uncomfortable throne for the majority of the night. The only people left in the ballroom were all of my friends, those who lived in the palace, and the guards, none of whom looked nearly as tired as I felt. The remaining guests were still dancing in a group to long-stopped music, and more than one of them seemed to be feeling the effects of their celebratory drinks.

“I guess tonight was a success,” I offered with a tired, yet satisfied sigh.

Rune chuckled. “I’d say so.” He stood and offered me his hand. “Ready to get out of here?”

I took his hand and stood, which felt so damn good after sitting. “Please. I’ve been ready for hours.”

We made our way down the dais and were greeted by two very enthusiastic twins, who were somehow still up past their bedtime. They chattered away with their brother while Alvaro tipped his head at me in greeting. “Belinda.”

I didn’t even fight my grimace. “It’s Bria.”

“Congratulations on your coronation,” he said, not even batting an eye at my correction.

“Thank you.”

“You’re going to be a great Queen,” Greshim exclaimed brightly. His dark hair was mussed from a night of dance, and his suit jacket was missing.

“Do you th-think M-M-Mother will join our side when she realizes th-that Broth-ther is King now?” Newt asked, fixing his glasses, which were just as askew as his clothes.

Rune, Alvaro, and I shared a look. We all knew the answer to that, but how did you tell two ten-year-old boys that their mother had chosen the side against them?

“Maybe,” Rune answered, forcing a tight-lipped smile.

Alvaro cleared his throat and placed his hands on the boys’ heads. “I think it’s your bedtime now, mis amores.”

Rune and I told the twins and their father good night before bypassing our boisterous friends for the door.

“Bria, wait!”

I turned as Khalani stumbled after Rune and me, giggling and clearly living her best drunk life. Ardley was right behind her, grabbing her by the waist when she nearly face-planted on the marble floor.

“Are you turning in for the night?” Khalani asked. She grabbed Ardley’s hands with her own black-tinted fingers as she fought to regain balance.

“Yeah. I’m pretty tired.”

“I’ll follow you. I need to get you out of that dress and ready for bed.”

Rune held up a hand and snaked his arm around me. “No need, Khalani. I’ve got that covered.”

A fire immediately washed over me, seeping into my bones and down to my core. Forget being tired. I’d been dying to get my hands on Rune all night, and envisioning him stripping me out of my clothes served as my very own energy drink.

“See, Babe,” Ardley said, still holding Khalani. “You’re good. Stay and keep dancing with me.”

The red of the Orca’s cheeks deepened as she suddenly glared at Ardley. She jabbed her finger into his chest and hissed, “Don’t call me ‘Babe’ you … you … stupid, hot, jerkface.” She spun on her heel and stumbled back to the dancing party, mumbling ‘sexy’ and ‘jerkface’ as she went.

Ardley looked back at Rune and me with a genuinely curious tilt to his brow and asked, “Does it make me a masochist if I love the way she hates me?”

He didn’t wait for an answer but simply turned and jogged after Khalani with his fox tail swaying as he went.

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