Page 58 of Iris of the Crowned Flame

“I love you too,” I replied, waving at him.

The door didn’t even close before Ethan arrived, dressed in his standard black and white tuxedo. I snorted. “The same thing as always? Couldn’t even get a different tie?” I teased.

Ethan bowed to me in that same reverent way that Father did. “My queen, I got a tie. I just missed my appointment to pick it up this morning.”

Ivy pulled a tie out of her pocket, one that matched her dress. She helped Ethan put it on. Was there something between them? I had been so busy; I didn’t even keep track of where Ethan had been for the last couple of months. What was happening?

She finished tying it on, and stuffed a square in his coat, then patted his chest. “Much better. Now you look like you belong.”

“Uh, did I miss something here?” I asked, looking between the two.

Ethan and Ivy grinned at each other, then turned to me, with Ivy saying, “You’ve missed precisely nothing, Lyla, I promise.”

Somehow, I didn’t believe that. But Ethan didn’t give me a chance to question it. “Lyla, now that I’m properly dressed, can I offer my condolences?”

His smirk told me he was kidding, but I played along. “Condolences? What for?” I brought my eyebrows together in faux worry.

“For your freedom, my dear sister. You’ll miss it so much.” He hugged me and whispered. “I’m only kidding. I wish you years of happiness with Spencer, and let me know if he needs to be straightened. He might be my friend, but you’re my sister and I will tolerate nothing below pure worship for you.”

I giggled, hugging him back. “Of course, thank you.”

He pulled out of the hug, holding my upper arms while I grasped at his forearms. “Lyla, you look absolutely stunning, and I can’t state how much I am here for you in any way today.”

“Want to take the crown later?” I offered, a knowing smirk on my face.

“But that.” Ethan amended, laughing.

“Then what I need most from you is to have the most fun today, and to ensure I have a bit too.” I smiled.

Ethan nodded. “Consider me the Fun Czar of the day. You will have the most fun I can dream up for you.” He saluted me, causing all of us to laugh.

A door knock sounded, followed by the door opening. The planner entered and said, “It’s time.”

“That’s my cue to get to my position.” Ethan said as he rushed out the door.

I took one last glance at Ivy and Amyra. “Promise me you two will be by my side, not just today, but always?”

They nodded. “Of course, my Queen. I’ll do anything for you.” Amyra swore.

CHAPTER 36

We left the room, entering the hallway towards the main worship area in the temple. I paused just before the doors, positioned so that no one could see when they open. Two attendants opened the doors, allowing Ivy, then Amyra, to walk through to their assigned places at the front of the temple. I paused for a few moments, listening to the quartet playing, waiting for the cue. When it sounded, I walked to the doors, pausing at the doorway. The crowded temple’s worship space prevented me from seeing my destination at the front, despite the aisle created for my entrance. Two guards flanked me on either side in their fanciest of dress uniforms. There was no talking around them escorting me down the aisle, and at this moment, I appreciated not walking this alone.

I reached the altar when I saw he had also coordinated with Eliza to get an outfit to match mine.

Spencer stood at the top of the stairs, to the temple’s altar just to my right, and for a moment, everything else faded. His midnight-blue frock coat rivaled the winter sky, silver embroidery catching the light like frost on glass. Beneath it, an icy blue brocade waistcoat gleamed, fastened with delicate snowflake buttons. A velvet-trimmed cloak draped over his shoulders, its fur edging adding to his quiet regality. Even hisdark gloves bore intricate silver filigree, a subtle echo of winter’s touch.

He had always been handsome, but tonight, he was breathtaking. Every detail of his attire complemented mine, as if we were carved from the same frostbitten moment. My heart stumbled, warmth rising in my chest despite the chill in the air. Spencer wasn’t just dressed for the occasion; he was a vision of winter’s quiet strength, and in that moment, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be crowned or simply fall into his arms.

His emerald eyes swirled with the warmth of his love, and his smile told me he was just as struck with awe at me as I was with him.

I finally noticed that Amyra was also standing at his level, just to my left. Both were watching me walk down the aisle, with no one else standing there. I climbed the stairs, and Ivy appeared from the front of the crowd to be sure my dress was properly situated once I stood there. I didn’t know whether to face Spencer or if I should face them both, so I stood for a moment with my back to the crowd.

“I don’t know what to do,” I confessed in a whisper.

Spencer smiled. “For now, my queen to be, face me. We’ll figure out the rest together.”

I turned to face him, leaving Amyra slightly behind me.

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