Page 81 of Finding Closure

I glanced over at my dad and he shook his head that it wasn’t him.

No, he wouldn’t risk upsetting this moment and people starting trouble after all I’d done to make it here.

Was it really the gods?

I had no idea, but some of the petals had started levitating from the moment my toe hit the water. I took a step forward, both of my feet in the water now, and the petals swirled around me. I gasped as more and more joined them and spiraled up above me before flying all around the temple. They covered the whole temple and all the people there.

And I was damn sure there hadn’t been enough petals to do that to start.

I blinked at Stefanie who seemed just as shocked.

Yeah, she’d been to a coronation before, so she knew just how crazy this was.

I took another step forward and the water bubbled around me. That was normal… Except I’d thought it was the magic of the ancients for showmanship when they were involved like the gods approved of them being involved.

Apparently, not so much.

I moved forward and knelt on my right knee, moving my arm to the knee and lowering my head. I took in a slow breath and let it out, distracted by the bubbling water all around me. Then I focused on what I’d memorized to say in Faerie.

“I, Tamsin Vale, daughter of Meira Vale, heir to the light realm and all of Faerie, pledge to give my very life if need be for Faerie. I will be the protector and shield of this world and her people. I swear upon my soul that I will always do my best for the people of this world and to never disappoint them.”

I swallowed a yelp when water shot up and then fell on me but continued on.

“I am everywhere and in everything that my people need. From the drop of dew that nourishes the grass in the morning to the moon that allows everything living to rest. As the moon lights the path, I will always be the guiding light to my people, the beacon of hope, and the embodiment of our beliefs.

“And as the sun rises every morning without fail, I will not fail either. I will be steady and strong as the sun, giving light and nutrients to any who need them. Never will any be forsaken again in Faerie, I swear to such under my rule. We will forever be equals from the most powerful to the injured who can no longer soar.

“I will give them a life worth living and soar in other ways. They will be safe under my rule. I swear to maintain the portals and access to our world. No human shall step foot in Faerie—no foe survive who dares to come for my people. From the tiniest spider with harmless venom to any new beast or weapon—I will protect my people from all.”

I lowered to fully kneel and put my hands in the water before lowering my forehead to just dip into the pool. I raised my head and met Stefanie’s gaze.

“I am the salvation of Faerie and her people. May the gods agree and bless my ascension to the throne that unites the realms under one queen.”

Water shot up all around me, and I had just a moment to realize what was going to happen so I could hold my breath before it all dropped back on me.

And if once wasn’t enough, the gods did it again and dunked me a second time.

Seriously?

Like…Seriously?

My hair was all in my face and I didn’t know what to do. Did I like fix it or…Seriously?

I swallowed a sigh and tried to elegantly push back my hair so I could at least like see. Stefanie was standing there completely gobsmacked.

Mostly because everything around us was soaked… Including both of us.

I glanced over at my dad who was a statue of shock. I looked past him and just happened to catch Julian’s gaze and we had the same thought.

When he dunked me in class. I smiled at him and the memory, understanding when he nodded.

Yeah, I knew how to handle this. I used the rune for air and dried myself a bit, at least so I didn’t look like a damn drowned rat. I pushed to stand and did my best to gracefully get back on track.

Stefanie snapped out of it as well, probably remembering all of this was being filmed live for the people of Faerie to watch. I wanted it recorded for posterity as well.

She said her part, but honestly it was a bit of a blur. I was glad everything was fairly calm—besides the petals and water—but it was kind of anticlimactic? So much went into gettinghere, and… I guess it really was about the journey, not the destination?

No, the work would start now that I was queen.

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