Page 8 of The Light Falls
I glance up at her. “What’s on the agenda for tomorrow?”
It takes her a moment to find her voice. “The council always meets the day after the coronation to walk the new queen through the current initiatives and to establish protocols. It’s a long day, but necessary to get you up to speed.”
We reach her door first. “I’ll be ready. Thank you, Solandis. For everything. I couldn’t have done this without you. And I promise, I’ll do everything in my power to make you proud of me.” The knot in my throat almost prevents me from getting it all out. All my life, I wished for a family. She is so much more than I could have dreamed up.
She gathers me in her arms and places a kiss on my forehead. “I’m already so proud of you.” Her fingers sweep my hair behind my ear. “No more promises, either. To anyone. The Fae like nothing better than to twist your words to benefit themselves, and a promise gives them the foundation to enforce it.”
When I nod, she smiles. “Goodnight, dear.”
Kaius stations Garren in front of Solandis’ door before motioning us forward. Her room is in the same wing as mine, just down the hall.
Ansel opens the door, checks the room, then gives the signal to indicate it’s safe.
“Thank you,” I tell him, walking into the same room I stormed out of prior to the ceremony. Startled, I turn in a circle. All the chaos is gone. There’s not one ribbon, needle, or swath of fabric on any surface. It’s absolutely immaculate. A huge perk I never even thought about until now.
A glint of gold catches my eye, and I swivel to face the same mirror I desperately ran to earlier. Except this time, I don’t have to imagine being queen. An exact depiction of the crown itself delicately wraps across my forehead like a brand or a golden tattoo. Light Fae who have sworn fealty to this kingdom will see it. Outsiders will see nothing at all.
I peer closer. My doubts and fears are still there. I thought they would go away, but they haven’t. Maybe only time will erase them.
“Excuse me, Your Majesty,” a raspy voice says behind me. “If you’re going to stare at yourself all night, I can come back later.”
Whirling, my power immediately rises, becoming a shield around me. “Eris!” I exclaim with my hand on my chest. “You startled me. What do you need?”
The tiny brownie scoffs and walks through the shield like it’s nothing. “I’m here to help you out of your dress, of course.”
Did she roll her eyes? And how did she get through the shield? Bemused, I stare down at the tiny woman. She’s probably seen a lot of strange things in this palace. Solandis said she’s at least four thousand years old, but she doesn’t look it. Not one wrinkle mars her smooth, nutmeg brown skin.
I drop the useless shield. “Thank you.” Bending my knees, I start to lean toward her, but stop when she immediately backs up and glares at me. “Now what?”
“I’m a Brownie,” she says, as if stating the obvious. When I continue to look confused, she scoffs. Seconds later, she’s undoing the clasp of the cloak around my throat. “You don’t need to bend down. With just a thought, I can be anywhere. Not even shields can keep me out.” She snickers. “Hold still and let me do the work.”
A minute later, dressed in a white silk pajama set, I slide into bed. Under her orders, of course. I press my lips tightly together, knowing she’ll scold me if I laugh. “Thank you, Eris. Would you mind handing me my phone?” Expecting her to go to my duffle, she reaches into the nightstand and pulls out the device.
Hmm.Looks like everything has been unpacked and put away.
“If you need me, call my name. No need to shout it, though. I’m not hard of hearing,” she tartly informs me. Without another word, she douses all the lights except the one by the bed and disappears.
That’s when I feel it. Power. Unlike any other.
“Cormal?” I murmur his name in the dark, but there is no response.
Casting my magic takes a minute, but it finally pours into the room. It slides along every inch, processing information and feeding it back to me. Cormal was here after the coronation. His magic is in the wards. He must have reinforced them. Obviously, he doesn’t believe I have enough power to take care of myself. I want to be angry with him, but instead, I’m relieved. I feel safe knowing he has taken care of it.
So far, I’m liking this queen business. Custom dresses, gold crowns, delicious guards, someone to clean my room and tuck me in at night… I feel coddled. Sinking down into the fluffiest pillows, I pick up my phone.
Arden warned me it might not work well here, but I see several text messages waiting for me.
Arden: Congratulations! All Hail Queen Meri! Or should I call you Queen Merindah? I heard you looked beautiful, and you were amazing, not flinching once during the ceremony. A good move to gain their respect.
Arden: I remember when I was preparing for the Gathering of the Light. Solandis warned me not to show any pain. Looks like she gave you the same advice. Text or call when you get a minute.
Arden: And let me know when I can come visit.
Arden: Did you meet Kaius?
How did she know about Kaius? I swear more people know what’s going on here than I do. As queen, I should know first, right? Maybe she spoke to Solandis, then sent the text. Nope. Time stamp says her messages were sent earlier tonight. The only person Kaius spoke to at the ceremony was Cormal. Arden and Cormal don’t exactly get along, so why would he send her a message about me? Obviously, we need to have a little chat.
Meri: Queen Meri works for me. ;-) I’m just happy the crown didn’t reject me.
