Page 108 of Fate of Draga

Then the Corinthian royals and the Queen of Khara were shown. Princess Dejah and Sozav seated next to them and on the other side, her cousins Princess Vasara and Prince Ajax.

Brogna, the Unchanged…they were all there. And then all the lords and ladies of Draga. There was Mistress Jael, Joslynn and Sirus, Alock, Masha…Adelina took a deep breath and smiled.

They were all there for her.

The lesser nobles, courtiers, and citizens were silent in their seats, no doubt cowed by all the different races in one room. The recorders showed the doors were thrown wide open and the floor-to-ceiling windows were open as well – letting in the night. Stars and moonlight glittered behind the citizens pressed against the windows and the door as guards held them back from actually crossing into the room.

More people filled the courtyard behind the doors and they spilled out into the streets. Massive displays hovered everywhere and hundreds of recorders flitted about, afraid to miss anything.

Then they showed what remained of the royal family.

The queen mother and Elara sat in the front row with Varan, Kaiden, Nash, Veri, and Nadyah.

William held the pillow with the crown as he had for Giselle. Ian held the ceremonial knife. They both stood behind Asher.

“Welcome,” Asher said loud and clear. A thousand voices silenced at his words. “We are gathered here today to officially crown the Queen of Draga. Adelina has already sworn her oath and more than proved herself to be a true leader.”

The drums started to beat, adding to his words and Adelina held her breath as she waited to hear what he would say next.

“She is the reason there are so many new faces in the crowd,” Asher said, pausing to give a nod to each faction. “She is the reason we are alive today. And we are gathered not only to recognize her rule, but to swear our fealty.”

Adelina had to take a deep breath to hold back the wave of emotion she felt at those words. Asher had always been the most dominant and ruthless. And now…he was telling them allshewas.

There was no one else she would rather have crown her.

“Please rise.”

That was her cue.

Adelina stepped out of the room as the sound of thousands standing reached her. She held her skirts, signet ring heavy on her left hand. The gold armor over her right hand glittered. She paused and released her claws and canines.

Then the drums pounded harder. The beat sounded a melody that called to the wolf inside – the drums grew louder as she walked down that long aisle toward Ian, a celebration of sound. Adelina kept her chin up and shoulders back, hands clasped at waist height as Raena used to do.

Then she stopped before Asher and the drums ceased.

“Adelina, do you accept the responsibility given to the Draga family all those millennia ago?” Asher asked, repeating the words she’d spoken to Giselle what seemed like a lifetime ago.

“I accept,” Adelina answered. Her voice was strong and clear – echoed by all the displays around the palace, the city, the system—the galaxy.

“Then rise and take your oath.”

Adelina took the three steps onto the dais and Asher took the ceremonial knife from Ian. He slid it across his thumb quick and hard. The scent of royal blood filled the room and Asher drew over the gold mark across her brow in his blood. “With royal blood I mark you as the ruler of our people. Swear you will rule only to protect and not to harm.”

Adelina looked up at her brother and the Hand of the Queen. How far they’d come to be here, now – swearing this oath again. But this time in her own kingdom, her own palace, and before everyone.

“I swear on my life that I will rule with the people in my heart and mind,” Adelina promised. Her words rang like a bell through the throne room. “The Three-faced Goddess, witness my oath to protect the people and serve the Crown.”

The knife went back to Ian. William stepped forward with the crown and held it up for all to see. There were some gasps as they saw it was no regal piece but a golden headdress that would spike towards the night sky and glitter under the moonlight.

William then passed it to Asher who took the heavy gold headdress crown with a rueful smile as though to say ‘of course you would pick something so ostentatious.’

Adelina couldn’t help but smile back and nod. After everything, of course she would.

“With this crown I name you Queen Adelina of Draga,” Asher declared.

With those words she knelt before Asher and he settled the glorious piece on her head.

“I, Queen Adelina, accept this responsibility, and the responsibility to our people.”

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