Page 3 of The Light Falls
Invisible threads tie me to the Light Fae Kingdom. The gossamer strands feed information back to me as they sweep across the kingdom. Once I’m firmly tethered to the land and its people, the power whispers my new name in my ear, then settles to a low hum.
One final act.
Searing heat and pain streak across my forehead. Thankfully, Solandis prepared me for this part, although it’s more than I anticipated. A scream threatens to emerge, but I clench my teeth to hold it in. The crown, and its power, will live inside me, but my forehead will bear its brand as a sign of my status to the light Fae and those who have sworn fealty to this kingdom.
Just when I don’t think I can bear it any longer, the crown disappears along with the pain. A cool breeze sweeps over my brow, drying the beads of sweat. Stunned, I sit for a minute, trying to comprehend the magnitude of what I am now, but the knowledge of the land and its people is so vast it’s like a deep, dark hole inside me. When I envisioned being queen, I thought only of the aristocratic light Fae in front of me and the lands surrounding the castle. The reality is almost immeasurable, and the weight of it settles like a mantle on my shoulders.
Clamping down on the panic edging into my emotions, I release the arms of the chair and stand. All visible emotions are immediately erased. As one, the crowd moves into a deep curtsy or bow to pay their respects. My eyes dart to Solandis, and she, too, sweeps into a curtsy. With a wave, I motion for them to rise.
Solandis turns to the crowd. “Queen Merindah, ruler of the light Fae, with dominion over the land and its people. May The Keepers bless her!” Solandis’ words ring out.
“May The Keepers bless Queen Merindah,” the crowd repeats.
CHAPTERTWO
MERI
Movement above causes me to look up, where I find two balconies practically hidden from the rest of the room by the massive pillars, standing on each side. Castle staff, like the royal seamstress and maids who helped me get ready today, fill every inch of space. Unlike the stoic lords and ladies, these faces are filled with emotions. I smile and nod at them. Several seem surprised by my actions, looking at each other first, before letting their lips curve in return.
Bright blue eyes lock with mine. Cormal stands proudly amongst the masses. He didn’t leave. I almost smile.
As I hold his stare, he bends at the waist, bowing deeply.
I quickly glance around to see if anyone is looking at him, but all eyes are on me.
My eyes move back to Cormal, and he gives me a slow wink.
Arrogant asshole.
The handsome Fae guard at his side says something to him, and he turns away to engage in conversation. When the guard pats Cormal on the back, my eyes narrow. Very few are given the privilege of touching him. They must know each other well.
Tearing my eyes from the two of them, I return my gaze to the blank faces in front of me. My new court. Stunning perfection in every line and feature. While their expressions show nothing but mild curiosity, hatred burns in more than one pair of eyes.
Get in line, I silently scoff. Thanks to the sorceress’s utter disregard for others and the distasteful tasks she often assigned to me, the list of people I’ve pissed off is long and a hell of a lot more dangerous than the individuals standing here.
Their hatred worries Solandis, though. She canvassed the highest-ranking lords and ladies of the light Fae last week to ascertain my support. Several stated their willingness to reserve judgement and give me time to prove myself, but she is concerned they are too set in their ways to be trusted. Nyssa took the crown with a divided court, but she knew how to maneuver around them.
Maybe I’m a bit worried. My teeth clench at the honesty in this statement. Their intentions are unknown, and judgement is nothing but a sword hanging over my head. When I screw up—and I will—it will fall across my neck. At least the hatred they’re showing me right now is familiar and honest.
I brush off the worry and observe the people in the hall.
While the males might be dressed similarly to Cormal, the elaborate decoration on their clothing borders the absurd. Outlandishly adorned with jewels, feathers, and precious metals, their bright suits make them look like peacocks arrogantly strutting across the floor.
For the females, this is a brutally fierce competition. Formal gowns with intricate designs and layers of luxurious material are but tools to showcase them and their power. Faery lights twinkle among layers of tulle and painted skirts, wind gently blows their hair and fluffs their skirts, fire cascades in thin rivers down long locks, and jewels, each more extravagant than the next, actually twinkle in the magical light. It’s so elaborate, I can’t even take it all in.
The excessive power used to enhance their fashion is extremely indulgent and mind boggling. According to Solandis, the ability to display continuous magic is proof of the vast magical reserves available to them and their status in the light Fae society.
Forcing a smile, I address the crowd. “Thank you all for attending. This is traditionally the moment when I’m supposed to give you specific promises for our future, but there is still much for me to learn about what the light Fae truly need. Instead, I offer you the following: I promise to do everything in my power to increase my knowledge and make informed decisions. I promise to protect the land and its people against any threats, and most of all, I promise to serve the needs of the kingdom.” It’s a simple statement of my intentions without going overboard on promises that will bite me back later.
Nobody claps or says a word, but that’s not a surprise, and honestly, it doesn’t matter. I’m not trying to win their approval tonight. As light Fae, their fealty is to me and the crown. My goal was to make my first statement as their queen.
Solandis loops her arm with mine in a show of solidarity. “Well done. Now, for the hard part.” She leads us off the dais to greet the couple standing nearby. “Lord Camon, High Fae of Spring, and his lovely mate, Brina.”
Tall and arrogantly handsome like most aristocratic Fae, Lord Camon has rich brown hair and bright green eyes the color of new grass, but surprisingly, his dark green court attire, while stylish, is quite subdued.
His petite mate, on the other hand, is spectacular and unique compared to those I see around us, and I’m not talking about her clothing. At around five feet tall, Lady Brina has long, dark blue hair, contrasting light blue eyes, luminescent scales on her temples, and luscious curves. Her gown is so form-fitting, it looks painted on. Absolutely stunning. He certainly ‘mated’ up.
Lord Camon bows stiffly, but his partner flows gracefully into a curtsy.
