Page 214 of Cherish

She shrugs. “A witch has got to do what a witch has got to do. Speaking of…” She sweeps a look over me from head to toe. “I need to change you back to your dress. Just give me—”

“No.” I stop her with a shake of my head. “That dress is beautiful, but this is even better, because it’s me, Grace. Gargoyle. Queen. Girl with a heart that can break and mend a million times. I want to be inducted the way I plan to rule.”

“I think that’s perfect,” she tells me. “And so are you.”

She starts to turn away, but Hudson stops her with a gentle hand on her arm. “Grace looks amazing like that, but is it too much to ask for a little tuxedo refresher?”

Macy cracks up, but when she finally settles down, she tells him, “For you, anything.” Then she gives a little wave of her hand and Hudson is back to his normal sartorial elegance.

We’re both grinning when we step out onto the dais a couple of minutes later, and instead of scary, this time it actually feels really good. Because Hudson and I are doing this our way, on our terms. And that makes all the difference.

The other members of the Circle are already seated around our thrones, and Alistair and the Bloodletter—the outgoing heads of the Circle—are standing right in front of them, waiting for us.

We slide into our seats without another word. Hudson still has Baby Smokey cradled in one arm while his other hand is holding tight to mine.

“Let’s try this again,” Alistair tells us with a grin I can only describe as a little impish.

“Yes, let’s,” I tell him.

And then our smiles fade as the importance of the moment comes back to us. Because Circle or no Circle, Crown or no Crown, this moment is about one thing only. Our people—allpeople—and Hudson’s and my determination to do right by them.

“Grace and Hudson, the honor bestowed upon you today is a great and a grave one. You have faced every challenge to yourself, to your family, and to our people with bravery and selflessness, and in doing so you have proven yourself worthy of leading the ancient and powerful Circle.”

The gravity of the situation comes back to me in a burst of icy nerves. But before it can take hold, a sudden burst of warmth comes down my mating bond, filling up all the oh-so-cold places inside me.

I grab onto the warmth—grab onto my mate—and promise myself that I will serve my people well. If not for my bravery, then because no one will work more tirelessly to keep peace among paranormals than I will, and no one will work harder to keep the world in balance than I will. After a thousand years spent trapped in time, my people deserve that much from a leader.

You are brave.Alistair’s voice echoes inside me even as on the outside he continues with the pomp and circumstance of the ceremony.

You are powerful.

You are deserving.

My eyes meet his faded gray ones as his words echo in my head. And in his eyes, I see all myown doubts. All my own fears. All my own mistakes.

A good leader should be afraid,he continues, speaking inside me. She should be worried that she will make a mistake so that she works hard to avoid doing just that. But she must also know when to let that fear go and believe in herself and the vision she has for her people. Can you do that, Granddaughter?

Yes.The answer is a knee-jerk one, and it comes from deep inside my soul. But the moment I’ve given it, I know that it’s true.These are our people, and I will do my best by them, always. And so will my mate.

Good. A smile tilts the corners of Alistair’s lips at my assurances.That is all I, or anyone, can ask of you. Except this.

Except what?I start to ask, but before I can, Alistair’s strong, rich voice fills the air around us.

“Are Your Majesties willing to take the oath?”

Your Majesty? Oath? I have only a moment to get used to the words before both Hudson and I answer, “We are.”

Alistair nods approvingly. Behind him, the crowd appears to be holding its collective breath, hanging on his every word—our every word.

“Do you swear to use the power vested in you here, today, in this place of knowledge and learning, to ensure law, order, and justice for your people?”

I start to nod, then realize that he needs to hear my answer—that all of these people, gathered here today, need to hear our answer. So it’s my turn to clear my throat before answering alongside Hudson. “We will.”

“Do you swear to govern without personal interest and to put the needs of your people above yourself at all times?”

“We will.”

“And finally, do you swear to govern with fairness and compassion toward all?”

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