Page 72 of A Clash of Embers

"What about me?" I asked her softly with a lingering sadness that I would be taken away.

She stepped towards me as she answered me. "Darthium was originally Hathor's creation. She wanted a balance between the different species she created. She wanted it to be peaceful. It has always been the six creators and one Divine One. There isn't a designated place for you. So, you may go where you would like to. You may travel to any world of your choosing when this curse is lifted, but the one place wemustget into is Tetharus. Finding and bringing Lilibeth here to Darthium is crucial."

I knew how I needed to get to her. I remember the book and the visions. I would need to gather a group of people so we could make it to Avellino just in case Ishtar wanted to show herself.

"Okay, sweetheart." My mother stepped and gripped me in a hug and whispered, "Enough of the heavy stuff. Let's go get you ready to become a queen, shall we?"

I giggled. "Yes, as long as I can pick what I wear."

She pulled back with her brows raised, "Fine. You can pick it."

Chapter 36

Inever gave thought to how I would die… in this damn dress. What the fuck did I do? There I was, telling my mother I could pick my own dress, and now I was dying.

Death by corset strangulation.

"Princess Clara, you'll be introduced momentarily. Is there anything I can do for you?" sweet Kay asked me.

I glared at her. "Is there somewhere I could run off to? Hide, maybe?"

She rolled her eyes at me. "No. You have to go out there. You are about to become the Queen of Bolzana. Suck it up."

Shit. Here I go.

"Tonight, we honor Princess Clara Artesia as she becomes our new Queen of Bolzana." The announcer made this large and annoyingly proper announcement as I strolled into the ballroom.

As I walked into the room, I tracked the eyes that followed me. Each person was smiling, and their feelings were true. They were happy and elated that I was becoming their Queen.

My eyesight finally landed on my mother who looked extremely regal and proper. Her hair was pulled back, and she had a small crown clipped across the top similar to mine. I wore a crown that I assumed was made for me with woven gold and Morganite jewels embedded making it simplistic yet extraordinary.

"Clara. You look beautiful. This dress looks magnificent on you." I sighed because I knew I looked damn good in it. I just couldn't breathe. I couldn't look away from the dress during the selection process.

My mother placed her hand on the lower part of my back and gestured for me to walk with her, "We will all walk to the Dreary Willow. It is a sacred place where you will be crowned."

What the actual abyss? Ev and I definitely—

We definitely what, darling?

I rolled my neck and flipped him off internally as I continued to walk alongside my mother. We led the large gathering of people to the ceremony location outside at the willow.

Blast the stars.

"We will enter the Dreary Willow. You and I, along with Consul Loveridge and Colette," my mother said.

I whispered, "What about Ev? He can't come?"

I could practically hear my mother's grin as she said, "I think he is already well acquainted with the space. He'll be okay for a few minutes without you."

I was aghast… my mother knew.

Oh, my gods. My mother knew about what we did under the tree.

"Oh, don't get all embarrassed now. Fornicating under the sacred Willow isn't unheard of, and I know you didn't know any better."

My shoulders were tense as I realized that, quite literally, an entire group of people were following us. When I turned around,I saw Eros wearing a black suit, which made him look even more handsome. His eyes locked onto mine and I couldn't help but smile.

Before I knew it, we had stopped at the tree with only the four of us entering. A Queen's crown alone with a blade was by the base of the tree. Consul Loveridge and Colette stood at the base while my mother and I faced them. Colette smiled at me, as Consul Loveridge continuously looked like a stick was shoved up her ass.

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