Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 100363 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100363 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Cassan considers. “He would need to renounce the throne, first.”
“I don’t know if he’s willing to,” Luthian says carefully.
“I could convince him!” I blurt, though I’m not sure that I can. While I did fall in love with Kathras’s tenderness in the faery baths, and though he did go to the dungeons without implicating me in Arcus’s assassination, I don’t know how he feels about me.
But I want to try.
“Do we know where he is?” Cassan asks Luthian. “Have you heard from him?”
“No. Kathras and I aren’t friendly,” he replies.
“You did frame him for murder,” I point out. “I don’t think your friendship will blossom as a result.”
“Baron Scylas hinted that he may have returned to the Sorrowlands.” Cassan rubs his chin in thought. “I could send you as an ambassador, Luthian.”
“Kathras won’t speak to him,” I protest.
“An ambassador in the queen’s retinue,” Cassan says, and gives me a wink. “Give me a week to recover from the party we’re about to have tonight, and it will be arranged. The two of you will travel to the Sorrowlands, forge important diplomatic relations with that disgusting old vampire Scylas, and bring my brother home.”
I leap from my chair and throw my arms around Cassan’s neck. “Thank you!”
“Thank me by preparing for the coronation,” he says, gently disentangling himself. “And Luthian?”
Luthian rises and bows. “Your Majesty?”
“Limber up. Now that she has wings, I have loads of ideas for us to try out with her tonight.”
* * * *
I stand before the doors of the throne room, my hand atop Cassan's. Beyond, the entire court has assembled to see their faery king and human queen begin the day of ceremony and spectacle that will cement our standing in the Court of Pleasure and Torment.
"I expect you'll come as a shock to them," Cassan whispers, slightly inclining his head toward mine. "If anyone asks, it's a gift from me. No need to dredge up the past."
"Of course." Perhaps one day, the truth will come out, and I will be known as the daughter of Queen Parphia, but Cassan has given me more than any mortal king would have allowed. More than Arcus would have, certainly. I can keep a secret in payment.
Chimes begin to ring beyond the doors, rising in a storm of music I taste on my tongue. My heightened fae senses continue to astonish and delight me. The light through the windows dances in waves my mortal eyes would never have noticed. It writhes to the song of the bells in celebration. The palace itself seems to throb with excitement.
The doors open, and Cassan and I step inside.
The looks of anticipation and admiration turn to wonder and disbelief as I pass them, my crystal-flecked wings shimmering behind me. I see delight and envy written across the faces of the courtiers, and I relish their admiration. They have witnessed me humiliated, degraded by Arcus. Now, I walk beside Cassan not only as a queen, but as a faery. I am not an oddity or a toy. I am their ruler and their equal.
I glance ahead to the dais and the two thrones there. Beside mine is a chair, and in front of that chair is Luthian.
Gaping, I turn to Cassan, and he offers me his sly wink.
The priestesses stand in a semicircle around the dais, and they part to allow us through. I feel Luthian's gaze on me with every step that I take. I stand before my throne and face the court, but my awareness is centered entirely on him.
Two priestesses step forward, holding ceremonial wreaths of blossoms. When they bring them closer, I see which kind.
Honey flowers.
I look to Luthian. The pride on his face is not about his triumph in this moment, the power that he has gained. All I see is the love he has finally acknowledged and accepted. The love that we have been granted by the friend at my side, and the destiny that awaits us.
I sink down to accept my wreath and straighten as Cassan does the same. The courtiers clap and cheer.
“Your King, Cassan The Kind,” the chamberlain announces. “Your Queen, Cenere the Fae.”
A tear of joy slides down my cheek. Cenere the Fae. Not Cenere the orphan, Cenere the pawn, Cenere the helpless. I am now what I was always meant to be.
And I will be so, so much more.