Page 145 of Gift from the Source
“I’ve gained so much since coming here.”
“So have we, princess.”
“Last but certainly not least of our royal court, please welcome Guardian of the Awaiting Matriarch and heirs, Lord Keeper Tanith.”
Willow and Draken both giggle quietly. Giving Keeper a last name was difficult, you know, since Keeper is his last name. His sassy little golden dragon planted that idea in my head, so I went with it.
“Accompanying him is long-lived advisor to the ruling family, formally and officially recognized as the grandfather of the Awaiting Matriarch and her Awaiting First Advisor, Master Archivist, Gaster Cato.”
The crowd below is deafening now as we step up to our place at the curtain, and a bolt of nerves finally spears my chest. I was wondering when she’d get nervous. It took far longer than I had assumed. It isn’t just her nerves, though.
It’s my own and my brothers’.
Tillman’s clenching his fists. His fingers flex against my side every time he opens and closes his hand. Over Willow’s head, Cas looks disinterested, but peering down, his shadows tie their wrist and cover her mark. They’re even locked onto Draken, who’s bouncing on his toes, on his other side.
Going from not caring about this part whatsoever to feeling like this is a moment to be witnessed in history has my gift itching at my skin. Part of me wants to let it out. Make us shine so bright no one can even see us.
The other part wants to show my princess off at my side.
I want the realm to see the strength and growth in my brothers and me.
We’re changed men who are ready to change this realm.
And we’ll do that with her leading the way.
I send a burst of calm confidence through my bond to my entire Nexus. The ties that connect us naturally gravitate toward one another, and we squeeze in closer.
Our exhales are simultaneous.
As one, we flood each other. Whatever positive emotion we can feel that wipes away the center of attention fright, we send out.
“We’ve got this,”I say.
“I love you all so much.”
My brothers and I express our love for her as strongly as we can.
“Ladies and gentlemen. It is my honor to announce to you the heirs of Elementra. Standing in front of you for the first time as a true completed Nexus, I present to you, our Awaiting Matriarch, Willow Vito, and the heirs to the Ruling Nexus, Corentin, Tillman, Caspian, and Draken Vito.”
Stepping through the curtain, my ears ring. The sound is so loud, I can barely hear myself count backward. The collective beat from the five of our hearts keeps me on track.
As we take our steps down, my eyes meet our family, who turn and slightly bow their heads to us. It doesn’t settle well inside my stomach.
So I break a customary rule.
I bow back.
As do my brothers and Willow.
The small move doesn’t go unnoticed. The roaring booms around us even more.
My eyes scan the massive crowd. I don’t bother giving the five a millisecond of my focus. I know they’re at the bottom of the stairs, moping for the loss of attention.
What I concentrate on are the many faces and undistinguishable voices shouting and chanting our names. Their eyes stay glued to my princess. There’s a shared pulse of thrill thrumming through the entire space.
Gazing down at her, her face is glowing. Her smile is true and just as I had done, she doesn’t take her eyes off the people of our realm. The ones that are being louder and more excited than I’ve ever seen at a Spring Ball.
It’s for her.
