Page 143 of Burning Crowns

CHAPTER 55

As the sun scattered the last of its rays over the Sunkissed Kingdom, Wren Greenrock sat in the courtyard of the Palace of Eternal Sunlight, watching her sister marry her oldest and dearest friend. She was grinning so hard her cheeks ached. Elske snoozed contentedly at her feet while Tor sat at her side, dabbing his brow with the cuff of his shirtsleeve.

Wren turned to help, opening the button on his collar, and then the one beneath it just for good measure. ‘Hang in there,’ she whispered. ‘It will be dark soon.’

‘You two are shameless,’ hissed Celeste, who was sitting behind Wren, between Anika and Marino. ‘Can’t you keep your clothes on for two minutes?’

Wren stuck her tongue out. ‘I don’t want my Gevran to melt.’

‘I can relate,’ grumbled Anika, desperately fanning herself to no avail. ‘This heat istrulyoppressive.’

‘I did tell you not to wear fur,’ said Celeste.

‘Allow me, Your Highness,’ said Marino, removing his tricorn and leaning over his sister to fan Anika with it.

She sighed with pleasure. ‘Oh, that isdivine.’

Celeste batted the tricorn away. ‘Nice try, brother. Keep your hat to yourself.’ She flicked her wrist, summoning a cooling breeze.It rippled in the frills of Anika’s dress and gently ruffled her hair. ‘Better?’

‘Bliss,’ said Anika, planting a grateful kiss on Celeste’s cheek. ‘Thank you, my love.’

Marino sat back with a sigh. ‘I’ve never felt so tragically single.’

‘Don’t worry, we’ll find you the perfect someone,’ said Wren.

‘I thought you were in love with a mermaid,’ said Tor.

Marino harrumphed. ‘Is that really all I’m known for?’

‘Yes,’ said Wren and Celeste as one.

‘Hush now, you noisy little parakeets!’ scolded Grandmother Lu, who was sitting two seats over. She jabbed Wren with her cane. ‘Less chatter, more respectful silence.’

‘Sorry,’ said Wren, turning back around. But Daiyu hadn’t missed a beat. Rose and Shen were still holding hands, gazing at each other so adoringly that Wren doubted either of them would notice if a blood beetle came and devoured their guests.

Tor shifted in his seat, still trying to get comfortable.

Wren followed Celeste’s lead, summoning a breeze to cool him.

He closed his eyes, relishing the brief respite. ‘When we get married, let’s do it in a forest. Or on a glacier.’

Wren’s brows raised. ‘What do you mean,whenwe get married?’

He opened his eyes, glancing sidelong at her. ‘One day soon, this will be us.’

A delicious thrill stole through Wren. ‘Will it?’ she asked, teasingly.

‘Won’t it?’ he said.

Her lips twitched. ‘Only if you let me swing in from the chandelier.’

‘My darling Wren,’ he said, returning her smile. ‘I wouldn’t have it any other way.’

They dissolved into muffled laughter, earning them another prodding from Grandmother Lu.

Once the sun had set in earnest, the ceremony came to an end. When Rose and Shen were pronounced husband and wife, they shared a lingering kiss, which prompted the entire courtyard to burst into applause.

Then came an explosion of fireworks. Everyone tipped their heads back, watching enchanted lions and glittering dragons dance across the sky. A great cheer erupted as the people of the Sunkissed Kingdom flooded the streets, rejoicing in their new queen.

---