Page 89 of A Fate of Blood and Magic
I grabbed a medium-sized pebble and, after inspecting it, gave it to Brenton. He held it between his fingers to look it over.
“Okay, I want you to give one to every fae who goes to the coronation.” I grinned. “Tell them rocks and pebbles carry value to humans, and they should present it to me as a gift.”
A genuine smile built slowly. “Elias is going to kill you.”
I bumped my shoulder against him. “Me?” I tried for wide-eyed innocence but my grin probably ruined it.
“Guardians,” he said, helping me up when he also stood. “I have an even better idea.” He pressed a loud kiss to my hair before he ran back through the castle.
As I brushed the dirt from my pants, Elias stepped outside.
“Should I be nervous about whatever you two are planning?” When he opened his arms, I went immediately into them.
“Don’t get angry with him.” I peered up at him, and he brushed my hair behind my ear. “It was my idea.”
“That he now thinks he perfected.”
“It was already a pretty perfect idea,” I said.
“What is this pretty perfect idea?”
“Oh no.” I kissed his chest. “It’s a surprise. Consider it a gift on your coronation day.”
“A gift?” He ran his thumb over my bottom lip, and when I bit down on it, his eyes flared black.
Dammit, I loved it when they did that. It made him look feral, and I relished the idea that he reacted to me in such a manner.
“But I didn’t get you anything,” he said.
“Your reaction will be all the gift I need.”
“Trouble,”he silently mouthed before he covered my lips with his.
Nervous,I stood at the front of the throne room, trying not to fiddle with the silver and gold accents of my stunning satin gown. The tight fit around my chest only served to make my anxiety worse since I couldn’t take in a full breath.
Or maybe my breathlessness was because of Elias himself. He looked powerful in his fighting leathers, with the fabric clinging and accentuating his every muscle. He gave me a soft smile before he knelt before the high priestess, who droned on about things that were probably important for me to listen to.
But I wasn’t really doing this for the people or the kingdom. I was doing it for Elias because it was important to him.
From outside, I heard the thunderous claps of the dragons’ wings, but I listened for Nalari’s roar. When it came, my heart beat a little steadier.
The dragons were back and, much to Everly’s delight,Adela had summoned her. The citizens of Niev lined the streets of Reignom with the shifter fae who’d come for the coronation. While only the shifters’ leader and his family were invited to the coronation ceremony, the rest waited outside the castle. Back in the realm where they once lived freely.
It was a monumental day, not just for Elias and me but for everyone who had ever called Niev home.
When the priestess opened the holy book, I noticed the tears that shone behind Elias’s eyes. He was to be king, to take up his father’s crown, and lead his people when so much was still in turmoil.
Not knowing protocol, only that I wanted to be there for him, I stepped to his side and rested my hand on his shoulder. His fingers clasped around mine.
I brushed my mind-speak magic against his mind in case he wanted to say something privately. He was quiet for a while.
“I’m honored to have you at my side,”he said.“I knew this day would come. I just never expected it to be so quickly. This kingdom, our kingdom, needs us to be better rulers than my parents were. I don’t know how to be better than them, simply that we must.”
While I hadn’t lived in Niev while his parents ruled, I knew Elias was already a better leader. He cared about his people, would sacrifice himself for them, and would put them above his own needs.
Could I do the same?
“We’ll figure this whole king and queen thing out,”I said.“Whatever lies ahead, we’re in this together.”
