Page 81 of Three Scorched Kingdoms

“By the will of the people, and with the guidance of those who have stood by me, I reclaim my rightful place as your queen,” Dorthea continues. “But as we look to the future, it is clear that a new chapter must begin. A chapter where the strength of our past meets the promise of tomorrow.”

She turns to Aries, and I feel his grip on my hand tighten. He takes a deep breath and steps forward, his eyes never leaving his mother’s. Dorthea smiles, a soft, proud smile that makes my heart ache with its quiet emotion.

“In this new chapter, we need a leader who embodies the best of Astronia’s spirit,” Dorthea says, her voice thick with emotion. “And that leader is my son, Aries.”

The crowd erupts into cheers, the sound a wave of approval and hope. I can’t help but smile as I watch Aries bow his head, his expression a mixture of humility and determination. He’s ready for this—the culmination of everything we’ve fought for.

Dorthea lifts the crown from her head, the golden metal catching the light as she holds it high. The room falls silent again as she places the crown on Aries’ head, the symbol of his new role as king. The weight of it is more than just physical, and I can see the resolve in his eyes as he accepts it.

“I present to you your dragon king,” Dorthea announces, her voice steady despite the tears glistening in her eyes. “King Aries of Astronia.”

The cheers are deafening, filling the hall with a palpable sense of joy and relief. Behind me, Blossom is the loudest of all, whistling hard enough to make my ears ring. Aries turns to face the crowd, and I can see the pride in his stance, the way he carries himself. He’s no longer just a prince fighting for his people—he’s their king.

Aries raises a hand, and the crowd quiets again. “Thank you,” he says, his voice firm but gentle. “Thank you for your trust, your courage, and your belief in a future where Astronia can thrive. I vow to lead with honor, to protect this land and its people, and to build a kingdom where justice and peace prevail.”

As he speaks, I feel a swell of emotion in my chest. This is the man I’ve fought beside, the man I’ve come to love with a depth I didn’t know I was capable of. And now, we’re about to take another step forward—one that will change both of our lives forever.

Aries turns to me, and there’s a softness in his eyes that makes my heart skip a beat. He steps closer, and the world narrows to just the two of us, the noise of the crowd fading into the background.

“Paige Murphy, daughter of Hoc Novensile, mate of my soul,” he begins, his voice low but steady, full of emotion. “I’ve walked through fire with you, faced the darkest of days, and found strength in your love. You are my heart, my anchor, and the only one I want by my side—for today and every day to come. Will you be my queen, my partner, my wife?”

My breath catches, tears welling in my eyes as I look into his, seeing the depth of his love and commitment. The moment is charged with everything we’ve been through, everything we’ve become together.

I take his hands in mine, holding them tightly as I reply, my voice filled with emotion. “Aries, you are my strength, my courage, my love. I will stand by you, fight with you, and build our future together. Yes, I will be your queen, your partner, your wife—today and always.”

“And I am yours—today and always,” he murmurs.

The words hang between us, a vow, a promise.

The crowd erupts into cheers once more, and I barely register the sound as Aries pulls me in for a passionate kiss. This moment, this connection—it’s everything I could have ever hoped for.

But unlike a normal wedding, it’s not over yet.

Dorthea steps up again with another crown in her hands. This one is more delicate than the first, the lines more intricate and set with sapphires and moonstone.

It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I’m so caught up in admiring it that I forget it’s meant for me until Dorthea’s eyes find mine.

“Paige Nemos, wife of Astronia’s dragon king, this crown belongs to you now—a symbol of your rightful place among our people. Do you vow to lead as queen with honor, to protect this land and its people from all enemies, and to build a kingdom where justice and peace prevail?”

“I do,” I say, my voice wobbling only slightly.

Dorthea smiles radiantly as she places the crown on my head. She leans down and kisses my cheek lightly then nudges me until I’ve spun around to face the crowd. Beside me, Aries has done the same.

I grip his hand tight as we both look out over the people.

Behind me, Dorthea calls out, “I present to you, the queen and king of Astronia! Let the celebration begin!”

22

ARIES

The grand hall is alive with laughter, music, and the clinking of goblets as everyone toasts to the future of Astronia. The tension of the past few days has lifted, replaced by the warmth of celebration and the joy of the moment. Everywhere I look, there are smiles—faces filled with hope for the days to come. It’s a sight I never thought I’d see again, and it fills me with a sense of contentment I haven’t felt in a long time.

Paige is by my side, her hand in mine, as we move through the throng of well-wishers. I steal glances at her when I can, admiring the sight of her in that dress, the crown. The sadness lingers at the edges of her smiles, and I vow to myself to do whatever it takes to help her heal that grief in time.

We’re stopped by Blossom whose dress is a radiant blue—a cloudless sky. “Congrats to the happy couple. Have you seen the gnomes?” she asks, a twinkle of amusement in her eyes.

I glance around, not seeing them anywhere. “Not since the ceremony,” I admit. “Why?”

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