Page 73 of A Clash of Embers

Colette's voice was quiet over us as she spoke, "What we will do is very simple. It is a ceremony created by a blood tie to this land just as you would in a marriage. Blood ties are unbreakable."

She kept talking, but I was hung up on what she said. Blood ties are unbreakable in this world.

Evander and I were married by a blood tie under the curse. Would that mean we were still married, and I cheated on him with his brother? Oh, gods.

"Clara, your hand, please," Colette asked me, and I jumped slightly, startled at the intrusion into my headspace.

She cut the palm of my hand, and my mother did the same. "What I will ask of you is very simple. You’ll hold your palms to the tree…" I looked at her and pursed my lips slightly, and she knew I wanted to say something. "Go ahead, say what you need to say, Clara."

I smiled, "It's just... What is the purpose behind doing this? Why do I need to put my blood on a tree?"

Colette stepped towards me, and her eyes flared, "It's because this tree was the first living thing on this planet. When you promise to be Queen of Bolzana, you are also becoming the protector of Darthium."

Oh shit. This made so much sense to me now. Why my mother had been separated in this Infinite War, and why there was so much pressure on us to do the right thing.

"So, if you are okay with that. Let's proceed," Colette suggested.

I nodded and followed what my mother did by placing my hand against the bark of the tree. I felt the power surge from my body and into the living willow tree. I didn't know what would happen, but I was pleasantly surprised when the tree started to shake. Acknowledging who we were.

"Do you promise to protect the lands and people of Bolzana and be theprotectorof Darthium?" Consul Loveridge asked me.

I glanced at my mother for a moment, and she nodded.

I said, "Yes, I promise."

My mother released her hand and quickly placed it over mine. When she did, a rush of power flowed through me. I felt my eyes start to glow, and my body became heated. The swirls of gold and lavender wrapped me up so tightly that I was struggling to breathe. My mother kept her hand tight on top of mine until the shaking stopped and the light faded. When she moved her hand, I felt acceptance in my body. A piece had locked into my soul.

I had a connection to this world that I didn't have before. I was the Goddess of the Stars and the Queen of Bolzana. The title wedged its way into my mind. It all made sense to me. My mother was the reigning Queen over everyone and everything. Not because of our goddess bloodline, but because Hathor created it to be that way. She created it so that the witches may continue to keep the balance of nature in check.

"It's complete. You are now Queen Clara," Colette announced.

My mother quickly embraced me, and she smiled as she caressed my cheek. "This is just the first step in your journey. I love you."

She tilted her head to touch mine, and I whispered, "I love you too, Mother."

As we exited the willow, the crowd was silent. I felt my mother's hand wrap around mine as she held it in the air, "Tonight, we have a new Queen. All Hail, Queen Clara!"

Everyone repeated the announcement, and chills spread across my body at the sound of it, but my eyes were set on one person.

Eros Vander.

Ev.

We had a lot to talk about, like he had told me before. I felt like it was important for us to understand one another and be in the same headspace before moving forward with our lives together.

We walked into the ballroom, and that's when the dancing started. I watched as couples twirled one another across the floor, and I eventually made my way over tohim.

"Well, you've been hiding from me?" I asked him.

He smiled salaciously and said, "No, I've been waiting foryou."

He gripped my hand and walked me towards the dance floor. We danced. We laughed, and then he stopped. "Let's get out of here. I know we have a lot to talk about." I nodded and followed him off the floor.

We ran down the hall toward my room, giggling and tripping over our feet along the way. He flung the door open, and I walked in after him as he spun me around to the wall beside it before he closed it.

His green eyes scoured mine, searching for something. "What is it?" I asked.

He sighed, "I want to be with you right now. I want to touch you. Kiss you. But we need to talk, Clara. It’s so important that we do. I'm not going to kiss you until we have talked this through. Okay?"

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