Page 49 of Calling of the Crown

“Leaving behind orphans,” I said, placing a hand over my chest. “Ripping away mothers and fathers,” I continued and placed a hand on Rune’s arm. My eyes found Akira and Jesiah’s at the base of the dais. “Tearing apart lovers.” I stared back at the crowd and continued, “It’s caused nothing but pain for everyone, and the wounds left behind are deep … but not scarred. They can still be mended. They can still be healed with time, care, and effort.”

I notched my chin higher and finished, “Today, I stand before you with a promise. A promise to end the fight with Land Fae. It’s time that we end the era of war and hostility to replace it with one of peace and healing. The journey to get there will be a long and trying one for both parties, but I am confident that when we come out on the other side of it, we will see a better version of ourselves and our precious home. We will see Ambrolia as it should be. Prosperous, lively, and whole.”

Silence descended over the room, and as I waited, the knots in my shoulders only seemed to tighten. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to say or do something else, but as the seconds ticked by, I feared that I’d failed. My speech, my tone, my poise—it was all a disaster. They didn’t agree, and everyone here was about to turn on me.

But then Khalani moved. She dropped to her knee and bowed her head, calling out, “For Ambrolia, I shall heed your wish, Princess.”

Jayanna and Ardley, who stood on either side of Khalani, were quick to smile as they followed her down onto their knees and shouted in unison, “For Ambrolia, I shall heed your wish, Princess!”

Slowly, the room fell, bowing their heads and holding a hand to their hearts. Some remained on their feet, staring at everyone else in bewilderment. Some watched me with open disbelief or venom, including Tommaso. But most of the Water Fae bowed in reverence before shouting, “For Ambrolia, I shall heed your wish, Princess!”

My heart swelled with pride, but most of all, it swelled with hope.

Hope for a better tomorrow.

Hope for a better future.

Hope that I was worthy of their trust.

The battle was far from over, but seeing that most Water Fae were willing to accept my goal felt like the first of many hurdles jumped.

And yet, there were still countless more that remained.

Chapter Twenty-Two

“ANGUS IS ALREADY ASSIGNING DIFFERENT guards to look into and watch those who didn’t seem thrilled about your plan for peace,” Dallas informed me.

The two of us stood outside the doors leading to my and Rune’s private floor. Rune had already gone in as he was eager to get out of the stuffy clothes. Plus, I suspected he secretly wanted to set some shit on fire after the stressful day.

The gathering had simmered down some after my speech and our interactions were far less aggressive, but my declaration made everyone want to have a second of my time to tell me their thoughts, whether supportive or not. I’d become some people’s proverbial punching bag, but I stood there and took it because I knew I was asking a lot of them. I was asking for change and forgiveness, neither of which were ever easy.

Leaning against the door, I sighed. “They probably just need time. Today was the first day that the idea had been brought to their attention. They need the opportunity to see more of me, of Land Fae, and what that future together looks like.”

“Still,” Dallas said as she ran a hand through her ponytail. “Those individuals will be monitored for your safety. We wouldn’t want them trying to hurt you.”

Hearing that people could wish me harm for trying to bring peace was yet another boulder added to the mound on my back. My entire body felt tightly wound with the troubles of the day—hell, the troubles of the whole month—and more than anything, I wanted to retreat to days past. To days of homework, classes, and art. To days of movie nights, pizza, and laughter. To days before I felt the weight of thousands of lives with every inhale.

Taking a deep breath, I mumbled, “I’m tired. I’m going to head in.”

Dallas flashed me a sympathetic smile and reached forward to wrap me in a tight hug. “Get some rest. I’ll see you in the morning. I love you.”

I squeezed her tighter. “I love you, too, Dallas.”

I slipped into mine and Rune’s private space, and as soon as the door shut behind me, I leaned against it and closed my eyes. My knees wanted to give out, but I forced them not to buckle. I couldn’t crumble. This was just the beginning, and if this proved too much, how could I lead and do all I’d promised?

The crackling and popping of fire drew my attention. Opening my eyes, I started down the hall for our room. When I walked in, I found Rune kneeling by the fireplace, adding a log to the roaring, flickering fire. I smiled to myself, realizing he did set some stuff on fire. He’d changed out of the royal attire and into a pair of black sweatpants, and he’d let his shoulder-length hair down from its half-up-half-down look. His fluffy fox tail curled behind him on the rug, and his black-and-white fox ears twitched at the sound of me drawing close.

Rune looked over his shoulder at me, and my heart warmed when those eyes locked on mine. They settled me, and I found myself drifting over to him as his soul seemed to call out to mine. He was my landing point, my solid ground on which I could stand strong and firm, even when everything around me was trying to knock me down.

He rose as I made it to him, and a smile warmed his features as he immediately drew me against him. The blazing fire heated my skin, but not nearly as much as his hands did when they cupped my cheeks. His thumb brushed a loving trail, and I leaned into it.

“You did amazing today,” he praised.

I placed a hand over his and squeezed. “I don’t feel like I did amazing. Not when so many Water Fae seemed against the idea of our being together and making peace with Land Fae.”

“Hey, a good seventy-five percent seemed on our side or at least open to it. I’d say that’s pretty good odds.”

“It is. I just can’t unsee or unhear the twenty-five percent like Tommaso, Emilia, and Bella. They’re my people, yet they hate me. They think I’m not on their side, and—”

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