Page 30 of Calling of the Crown

I didn’t miss the way his gray eyes briefly flicked in Rune’s direction, nor could I ignore the bitter annoyance it produced in my gut.

Rune turned me to face him, and he cupped my cheeks. “You can do this. Just be yourself. That’s all you’ll need to do to win them over.” He pressed a soft kiss to my lips then a final one to my forehead before moving to his place at the end of the guards line.

As much as I hated it, I also saw the need for our plan. Rune was my partner, but he was still a Fox Fae. Newly arriving Water Fae probably wouldn’t react too well if the first face they saw on the shores of their home was a Fox Fae who stood to become their new King.

Before they met Rune or any of the Land Fae here, I wanted to give my people a chance to meet me first. After all, most were likely under the impression that I was a boy since that had been the rumor created to protect me. Having that reality shattered before their eyes was going to be hard enough. Once they saw who I was and realized I only had the best intentions for them, I’d introduce Rune officially at the welcome home gathering we were planning. Until then, he’d remain at the other end of the line of guards that flanked me.

“Remember what we went over,” Jesiah coached as he stood before me in the same Official’s gear that Rune wore. He pushed on my shoulders and pressed a finger under my chin to tilt it higher. “Shoulders back, head held high, make firm eye contact and maintain it. Speak clearly and slowly without any hint of nerves or worry. You are the Princess. You are their leader. Show them, yes? If you are nervous, they will be nervous. If you tremble, they will fall. Stand strong for them.”

I swallowed hard and forced the nerves from my voice like we’d practiced all morning. “I will.”

He nodded and moved to his place at my left-hand side with General Blackwood still at my right. The two were there as yet another reminder of who I was and the command I held here. It was meant to reassure those arriving that their leader had truly returned and was ready to lead in whatever way was needed.

When Jesiah moved, I got a clear view of the scene before me. Dallas, Imani, and Rance were already halfway across the ocean with dozens of Water Fae on their makeshift ice float. They were close enough now that I could make out their faces—some staring in awe at me, some marveling at the distant castle with tears in their eyes, others speechless with wide eyes.

There were all different ages, sizes, and colors aboard the float, and in that moment, I felt a tightening in my chest that I couldn’t explain. It was like my heart suddenly hurt with this need to be good enough. All these people, all these lives, were looking to me now, and the immense responsibility to care for them and lead them hit me hard. Yet I didn’t cower from it. In fact, I felt the urge to embrace it, and as I scanned the faces of these people—my people—I felt my heart swell with tenderness.

I promise. I promise to give each of you the life you deserve.

I readied myself as the group slowed to a crawl, and the tide pulled them to the sandy shore. It was showtime.

Smiling warmly, I held open my arms. “Welcome home, everyone. I know you’re all probably confused, overwhelmed, and excited to be back. I wanted to be here to personally welcome you and introduce myself. I am Princess Bria Marina Damaris, daughter to Queen Alesta Damaris and King Khal Damaris.”

A sudden wash of pride bled into my bones as I finished my introduction. It was the first time I’d spoken my title, as well as my real full name in conjunction with my parents’. I wasn’t sure if saying it would feel unnatural or leave me feeling like a fake, but that couldn’t be further from what hit me. Instead, holding my head high, facing all these strangers, and smiling became easier because I was Princess Bria Marina Damaris.

A stout woman stumbled forward in the sand and stuttered, “Prin—Princess? Not Prince?”

“A rumor spread for my safety,” I explained. “I sincerely apologize for keeping my identity a secret from everyone. It was to ensure that we could all safely get to this point where we could return home together.”

“Princess!” An older man bellowed before falling to his knee with his head bowed in reverence.

I dug my fingernails into my palm to keep from asking the crowd not to bow. My eyes found Jesiah, who gave me a pointed look that threatened endless reprimands and mind-numbing reading assignments should I say anything.

He’d already explained numerous times that bowing was a sign of respect, and for me to dismiss it would be to dismiss the people’s respect of me.

As a human, the idea of bowing to an authority figure always made me cringe, but Jesiah was quick to reassure me that bowing didn’t have to be a bad thing. It all depended on me and how I ruled. For a leader that the people loved, the bow allowed the citizens to express their thanks and respect in an easy way—it was something they chose to do.

After allowing the people their chance to bow, I said, “Rise. I’d love to see each of you. Could you please tell me your names, where you stayed in the human realm, and what Class of Water Fae you are?”

The group went down the line, filling me in on the details of who they were. The most interesting information was definitely their Water Fae Class. It was during one of my initial studies with Jesiah that I learned Water Fae had two Classes—the Elemental Class and the Creature Class. The Elemental Class were Fae like me and the majority of my guards and officials. We were in tune with the element of water itself. The Creature Class were Water Fae who lived in water, such as Shark Fae, Jellyfish Fae, and Seaweed Fae.

I made sure to engage with each Fae who spoke, smiling and expressing interest in who they were, and while I was supposed to do this for appearance’s sake, it was all very real. I was genuinely invested in each person’s story, clinging to their every word. These were my people. They were entrusting me with their home and lives, and I felt my connection to them getting stronger with every passing second.

Once all the introductions of the group had been made, I let my eyes scan the crowd. “It’s lovely to meet all of you. Thank you for answering my call to return home. I’ve called you back here with a goal in mind. As soon as all Water Fae have returned home, I’ll host a gathering to go over all the details. Until then, focus on getting settled back in here. If there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask. The doors to the palace will be open for anyone who needs assistance. I want this to be a smooth and positive transition for everyone.”

“Thank you so much, Your Highness,” a girl—Vaneera, I believed—gushed.

“That’s so kind of you,” another citizen—Baldwin—bellowed, staring at me with tears in his eyes.

Now for the hard part, I thought with a sudden sense of dread.

I kept my mask of ease and authority in place as I smiled. “Before you leave, I’d like to explain one last thing. As you get settled in on the island, you may see Land Fae here. If you do, there is no need to fear them or to attack. The Land Fae here are our friends and are considered allies to Water Fae.”

The sea of faces before me changed. Several paled, some fell in terror, and others scowled in disdain. Despite the vast physical reactions, no one said a word. There were no demands for answers or an explanation, and I sensed that had something to do with the tiara on my head and the soldiers lined up behind me, not because they trusted me.

Yet.

I knew that would come with time. Just as important though was getting them to trust Land Fae, which made this next move a risky but necessary one.

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