Page 166 of Of Serpents and Ruins
"Kind of hard to believe," I murmured.
The silk was a mixture of blues and whites with gold fasteners and water serpents woven in gold on the center bodice. The material felt lighter and prettier than it looked, and it wasstunning. The cool evening air kissed my bare shoulders. Like Brandt’s attire, my shoulders and arms were exposed except for the light silk that formed the off-shoulder twists. It was distinct from my first coronation gown. This time I had insisted on multiple water serpents being woven into the bodice to represent those who were so important to me. My hair was down mostly down with a few sections wrapped, twisted, and framed, to keep it from falling in my face and to provide a base for the black and white pearls woven throughout my hair like a decorative ivy.
"Not at all." Kine climbed halfway up Buttercup’s side and squeezed my hand. "You look like a vision, Bug. One set in oil paints to indicate a fixed wonderful point."
My breaths tightened, and I clung to his hand tighter. "I couldn’t have done any of this without you, Kine. You know, I don’t remember if I told you all of this, but the whole time I was on Earth, things never felt right. And I always felt like I was supposed to have a big brother. Sometimes in the foster families, there was one or two. But they were never really my brothers. They didn’t even want to be. You, though…you were my brother even when I was gone."
He climbed up onto Buttercup’s neck and pressed his forehead to mine, careful not to muss my hair. "Easy answer for that one. You were always my sister. Even when you were gone."
"And you never actually gave up on me," I murmured.
He shrugged. "I guess I couldn’t let go. Seems to run in the family." His lips brushed my cheek. "Don’t go missing again, all right, Bug?" With a wink, he hopped back down. "Looks like it’s almost time. I need to take my seat."
Attendants strode forward, whisking and spinning with scarves of blue, white, and gold. They danced the broad path, leading the way. I watched as they continued down, waiting for my mark.
The singers now chanted and sang about the joining our two nations into a single kingdom: Sepeazia. A king from one side, a queen from another, peace for all.
Hord stood at attention in his military uniform, off to Brandt’s left with the other remaining leaders. Kine had gotten to Auntie Runa, a great big grin on his face as she teased him about something. Despite the fact that he had probably had to run, his hair was perfectly styled, bright flowing, azure curls setting off sparkling gold eyes. Auntie Runa wore an elegant robe with shimmering trousers, and she applauded me with delicate grace as her dark-gold eyes sparkled. She still wore the herbs in her hair, but this time, she had added some flowers, including a vibrant gold orchid. Candy whistled and whooped. Her hair had been braided and coiled in an elaborate fashion with a silver and black serpent fastened into the center. Cahji stood behind her, glancing at her and mimicking her whistles.
Farther back stood Arjax and Lorna, at the very edge of the assembly. They towered over all the guests. Both wore far more luxurious clothing, robes that were layered and had both red and black as well as blue and white components with sleek sashes to signify their connection with all of Sepeazia. Both still wore the grey feathers in their bound braids. They looked so proud standing there, arms crossed over their chests, nudging one another and whispering.
And at the very end was Brandt. My Brandt.
He looked every inch a king. He wore a woven crown with opaque gems fashioned to resemble flames. His red-and-black hair had been styled even more than mine, each lock and segment curled or straightened to create its intimidating and magnificent effect. Striking as always. Then again, I expected nothing less. His dark-red eyes remained on me. As soon as my gaze met his, the world narrowed down to him. He was allI could see. All I could breathe. He stood with his arms at his sides, his manner easy and confident.
Buttercup continued her easy stride. Occasionally, she glanced up at me. For the event, she had been outfitted with numerous flower chains draped over her horns and crest. And she wore a large blue and white weaving on her back that she seemed indifferent about. The flowers, she wanted to eat. Especially the pink ones.
Once the attendants reached the dais, they placed the scarves with the blue, white, and gold into stands. And then I was there. Buttercup was the perfect height so I simply had to step off onto the second to last step leading up to the dais, turn so that my train remained perfectly aligned, and cross to Brandt.
Once I reached him, I knelt. The soft fabric swooshed around me, my train long.
One by one, each of the councilors walked forward onto the dais. They spoke of Sepeazia. Of her traditions. Of this custom. Of the need for rulers from both Kropelki and Ognisko. And of the joy in seeing the peace realized in a single union.
I glossed over the words, my gaze fixed on Brandt. The sea breeze tugged at my hair and my gown. More than anything, I was happy to be here with him. To know that I would share in this adventure with him. Learning, growing, teasing, being.
After the last of the councilors had spoken, Brandt removed a crown that matched his in shape but not color. It was delicate, infused with the palest shades of blue, like ice or the edges of the sulfur lava. He placed it on my head. The black and white pearls twined through my hair highlighted the crown’s elegance and helped support it.
His hand slipped down to my chin and tilted my gaze to his. That delicious heat flared through me as I breathed in his exceptional scent. I cut my gaze up at him with a flirtatious smile. Was now an appropriate time to tease him?
Probably not.
He raised an eyebrow at me ever so slightly as if he guessed. Then that smile of his curled just a little higher at the corners, and his thumb briefly brushed my lower lip before he drew me to my feet. He took my hand in his. "Behold your queen, returned to us from the dead and restored to her true position at my right hand." His voice boomed out over the assembled crowd. "Honor and obey her."
Cheers and applause erupted as the drums resumed beating faster and faster and faster. The hint of a smile curved at his mouth as he helped me bind up my train then drew me forward to the pots. One more formality before we could start the real celebration.
Together, we carried the pots with the representations of our particular nations down the path to the sea. Inside mine were dozens of small sea serpents, all blue and white. His were the same but red and black.
The waves crashed against the cliffs below as Brandt and I made our way to it. Our respective friends and family and court and members followed behind at a respectful distance as the wind tugged and pulled at our hair.
We reached the ocean and waded out up to our knees. Then both of us leaned forward as a wave rolled up, and we lowered the pots together.
It was quiet despite being dusk. Surprisingly, there were no predators, which was unusual and seen as a good omen. Gently, I knelt and released the little serpents into the waves. They darted forward and vanished, slipping beneath the waves. Would they face dangers within the sea? Of course they would. Who could say what waited for them in the dark waters. But they would carry on the fight. And the struggle didn’t make their existence any less meaningful.
We watched the little serpents until they vanished completely into the waves. Then we turned, placing the pots in the wet sand.
Brandt then lifted my hand with his. "Rulers of Sepeazia. Union of nations."
The drums resumed their rapid beat as the chanting continued. Then it ended with gongs.
