Page 80 of The Dark Rises
Lux skips over and takes Meri’s hand. “Are we ready to go?”
She looks at me, and I wave goodbye to Aamon. “Let’s go home.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
MERI
Coronation preparations take a week to pull together. Unlike Denir, Madoc invites all the rulers he favors as a friend or an ally. A show of strength to reassure both the aristocratic dark Fae and the Lesser Fae of his authority to rule and the clout the Dark Fae Kingdom will again enjoy under his reign.
I’m getting ready in the room I claimed because it’s big enough for all of us. Huge windows showcase the sweeping vista of the land around us. From the sea on the left to the tiniest glimpse of Winter and its snowcapped mountains on the right, the view is remarkable.
Madoc told me the room hadn’t been used in several lifetimes, but when I saw the light from the windows, I was sold. The furnishings and colors, ice-blue and gold, are a bit old-fashioned for my taste. Something I plan to change in the future.
Tonight’s theme is starry night, and the dress code is blue. Any shade. Needing to wow, I went to the definitive source offabulous royal fashion… Solandis. She helped design the dress I’m wearing. Unfortunately, the baby’s birth is too close for her to travel, so I’m getting dressed with her over video conference.
I put the dress on and spritz myself with my favorite nighttime perfume, a heady rich mixture of scents like musk, vanilla, bergamot, and orange blossom. Moving close to the camera, I point out the details.
“Stunning. I’m dying. You outdid yourself.”
Strapless, the inner dress flows from the tops of my breasts to my toes. The deepest color of night, it has no adornments. Solandis said she designed it that way to give me the illusion of height and the epitome of regalness. From the center column, airy layers attach to the waist. Each one embroidered with a constellation of stars only found in the Dark Fae Kingdom. Under the flickering candlelight chandelier, the diamonds sewn into the dress sparkle on their own, but with a little magic—presto—the stars twinkle with the exact cadence of the actual star in the sky.
She insisted I leave my hair down, and as I pick up the headpiece, I understand why. In the center is a large glowing star.
“That should be centered on your forehead,” Solandis advises. She pauses while I slip it on. “That’s it. Each strand of diamonds will loop behind your head into a cluster, then cascade down. When you use magic to light the dress, the stars on the headpiece will also light up.”
“Amazing,” I breathe, staring at the vision in the mirror. “Have you ever thought of doing this for a living? Not that you need the money, but you could make a fortune.”
Her twinkling laugh is a melody of amusement. “It’s fun. If I made a living, it would be work. Step out farther. I want to see the entire picture.”
I move away from the camera and slowly twirl around once with the magic off, then again with it on.
“Absolute perfection,” she squeals from the other side of the room. “I believe I outdid myself on this one.”
“You certainly did,” Madoc interjects in a gruff voice. “Thank you, Solandis. This means a lot to Meri and me.”
She sniffs. “Pregnancy hormones. Don’t mind me. It’s time. Go, darling. Dance and drink champagne for me. Love you.”
I blow her a kiss. “Thank you, thank you, thank you. Love you, too. Give Vargas a hug from me and tell him we miss him, too.” Ending the video, I close the lid.
Tall, dark, well-built, Madoc is a king in his dark-navy tailcoat jacket with diamonds embroidered down one side, including the adjoining arm. The other half of his jacket, as well as the vest and suit underneath, is the same dark blue color as my inner dress.
“Hmm, guess Solandis felt we should match,” I muse, straightening the cravat at his throat. I gather one of the airy panels at my waist. “The constellations of your kingdom.”
He stares down at it and clears his throat. “You remembered.”
“Of course,” I reply with a wink. “I remember everything you do or say. Obsessed, remember?”
Strong hands grab my waist and pull me closer. His mouth descends on mine with passion and need, kissing me until I run out of breath. Releasing me, his eyes dip to my swollen lips. “I want every male in the room to know you are mine. Ready?”
Chuckling, I smooth the dress and flick my hand to turn on the magic. “A little possessive, don’t you think?”
“Not in the least,” he returns, slipping a finger into his cravat to tug on it. “I really don’t want to kill someone tonight. It would ruin my good mood.”
“Stop, you can remove it after the ceremony,” I order him, brushing his hand away from his neck. “The man makes the outfit, but the suit emphasizes the king you were born to be. And you’re right. You should refrain from killing anyone tonight. Unless they deserve it.”
He stops fidgeting as we reach the doors. “Cormal and Rivan are already inside. Once the crown is on my head, you must leave the dais and stand with them.”
Surprised to see a glimmer of worry, I lift an eyebrow but agree. “Okay.”
