“Why does he have quarters here if he has his own home?”
“Because he is a Lord, much like his father, Sven,” he advised, “who is an Elder. All the Elders have rooms here.”
Considering that the palace appeared large enough to house a small village, I wasn’t surprised to hear that.
“I’m also betting that the Council has been called and are awaiting our arrival,” Casteel continued.
My heart tripped over itself a little. Although the wolven we’d sent ahead wouldn’t have told Casteel’s parents of our decision, nor did I think Emil would, I imagined his parents sensed that we’d made a decision.
Although this was the Temple, a wicked sense of deja vu swept over me as we neared the semicircular steps, and two guards opened the door. This time was different, though, because I wasn’t entering as a Princess uncertain about her future.
I was entering as one who was about to become Queen.
Emil waited for us just inside the Temple entryway, standing under an Atlantian banner that hung from the ceiling. My gaze locked on the closed doors beyond him, where at least ten guards were positioned. Wariness radiated from them, coming from what was probably a very unexpected sight of several dozen wolven climbing the steps beside us.
My heart tripped in my chest even as I walked forward. My hand trembled even enclosed in Casteel’s. I knew I was making the best choice. I was as ready as I would ever be, but it felt like a dozen flesh-eating carrions had taken flight in my chest. This was…this would be huge. I would enter as Poppy and leave as a Queen—Queen to people who didn’t know me and who may not trust me.
Casteel stopped, turning to me. His fingers touched my cheek, just below the scars. He guided my gaze to his. “You’ve faced Craven and vamprys, men wearing masks of human flesh, creatures without faces, and stared down Atlantians who wanted to harm you with the kind of strength and bravery most lack,” he whispered. “Remember what you are. Fearless.”
Fingers touched the other side of my cheek, and Kieran’s pale eyes locked with mine. “You are a descendant of the gods, Poppy. You run from no one and nothing.”
My breath caught as my gaze held Kieran’s and then shifted to Casteel. The center of my chest hummed. A heartbeat passed, and then I looked at the closed doors. It was okay to be nervous. Who wouldn’t be in my situation? But I wasn’t afraid.
Because they were right.
I was brave.
I was fearless.
And I ran from no one and nothing—and that included a crown.
My gaze flickered over the wolven, stopping on Vonetta. Exhaling slowly, I nodded. We turned to the doors as they opened to an area lit by the sun coming from the dome’s glass sides.
Rows of semicircular benches sat on either side of the aisle, offering enough seating for what had to be several thousand—possibly more. Above, a balcony area where even more people could attend jutted out, and under them stood ten statues of the gods, five on each side. They held unlit torches against their black stone chests. Ahead of us, the statue of who I could only assume was Nyktos stood in the center of the dais. Beyond him was another set of doors as large as the ones we’d entered through, where guards stood now. I recognized Hisa. The thrones sat before the statue of Nyktos.
They were both made of pearlescent shadowstone, streaked with thick veins of gold. Their shape fascinated me. The backs were circular and spiked, shaped like the sun and its rays, and at the center of the top, carved out of the same stone, was a sword and arrow crossing each other.
The current Queen and King of Atlantia stood beside their thrones, and as their son and I walked forward with the wolven trailing and spreading out among the rows of benches, I realized that both wore their crowns.
The crown upon the King’s head was twisted, bleached bone, but the one that sat upon the Queen’s head was golden, shining bone. I hadn’t seen the crown since the Chambers of Nyktos. Eloana and Valyn stood in silence as we approached them, Casteel’s mother’s hands clasped at her waist.
“Mother,” Casteel said as we stopped before the steps of the dais. Kieran and the others hung back several feet. “Father.”
“We are glad to see that you have both returned,” his father replied, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
“Not without interruptions.” Casteel tilted his head. “We were accosted by members of the Unseen.”
“Were there any injuries?” his mother asked.
“No.” Casteel looked at me. “My wife made sure of that.”
“We all made sure of that,” I added.
“I’m relieved to hear that,” she said. “But it shouldn’t have happened.”
No, it shouldn’t have.
But it did.
“Arden arrived safely, I assume?” Casteel queried.
His father nodded. “Yes. He is resting in one of the rooms. All the wolven told us was that the meeting went well.”
“Your brother?” His mother’s gaze touched mine, the crown such a stark contrast to her dark hair. “Was he how you remembered?”
“He wasn’t,” I said. “And yet, he was. But he’s not like other Ascended.”
Her chest rose sharply behind the ivory gown she wore. “I don’t know if that is a good or a bad thing.”
“I don’t either,” I admitted.
“There must be much that you both need to share with us,” his father began, and I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. In the shadowy alcoves of the dais, several people stood. My senses stretched out, finding an array of emotions, everything from curiosity to faint distrust. “But we assume that you’re here to discuss more than your meeting with the Ascended.”
Irritation sparked at him referring to Ian as the Ascended even though he was…an Ascended. I could recognize the irrationality of that, but it still didn’t stop the burn of annoyance.
“You’re correct,” Casteel replied and then looked at me. Our gazes met. “We have come for more than that.”
I focused only on Casteel, not allowing myself to read his parents or the shadows standing in the alcoves. The taste of chocolate-dipped berries calmed my nerves, and the steadiness in his golden eyes eased the tension gathering in my neck.
I was brave.
I was fearless.
Squeezing Casteel’s hand, I turned back to his parents. “We have come to claim what is mine—the Crown and the kingdom.”
Chapter 36
Eloana unclasped her hands, letting them fall to her sides. A heavy breath left her, one I hoped was of relief or at the very least acceptance.
His father stepped forward. “And if we contest your claim?”
My head shot in his direction. “You can,” I said before Casteel had a chance to respond. “But it won’t change the inevitable.” Vonetta brushed against my leg as she prowled forward. Lyra had leapt onto one of the stone benches, and without looking, I knew the others had also moved in closer. I slipped my hand free of Casteel’s and stepped forward, looking at his father. “The only people I will ever know as my parents were killed to prevent this moment. I was left dead and scarred because of my birthright and forced to wear the veil because of my bloodline. My brother was Ascended because of it. I’ve had years of controlling my own life taken away from me. Innocent people have died because of what is owed to me. I almost died. And on the way here, we were attacked. None of that has stopped this moment from coming. The Crown belongs to me and my husband, and I believe you already know that.”
Valyn stared down at me, his expression unreadable, and I doubted I would succeed if I tried to read his emotions. His gaze flicked to where his son stood. “Do you have anything to add?”
“Not really.” A shadow of a smile filled his tone. “She pretty much summed it up. You know that the Crown belongs to her. To us. We will need your help—both of you—when it comes to ruling Atlantia. But we don’t need unnecessary drama.”
I fought a smile as his father’s eyes narrowed. “I apologize, son. I wouldn’t want t
o cause any unnecessary drama,” his father replied dryly.
“Apology accepted,” Casteel murmured, and I heard the huffing sound of a wolven laughing behind me. Valyn’s eyes narrowed.
“He’s right,” I agreed. “We do need your help. There is much for me to learn, and there is a lot that Casteel and I have to do.”
“And your reason for coming to this decision?” Eloana asked.
Thinking of what Casteel had said to me, I met her stare. “My reasons don’t matter as long as they’re my reasons.”
She stared at me for a moment, and then one side of her lips curved up. With a nod, she looked at her husband. “It’s time,” she said. “It’s been time.”
“I know,” his father said with a heavy sigh. “I just hope you both understand that this responsibility doesn’t end when you accomplish what you seek.”
“We know,” Casteel answered, coming to stand beside me once more.
I nodded. “We do.”
Valyn and his wife came to the edge of the dais. “I have a suspicion that neither of you will want to go the traditional route?”
Casteel looked over at me. Assuming the traditional route meant balls and feasts, I said, “Once we have handled the threat to the west, we would like for there to be a…more elaborate coronation. Neither of us feels the timing is appropriate to do so now.”
Eloana nodded. “The coronation celebration can be held whenever, upon your discretion.”
A tremor coursed through me. I reached over, and within a heartbeat, Casteel’s hand folded over mine. “So, what happens now?”
“It’s fairly simple,” his father answered. “In front of the Council of Elders, we will relinquish the crowns and the control to you and my son. And then we announce to the citizens the changing of the Crown.”
My heart skipped a beat as I glanced at the shadowy alcoves. “Does that happen now since the Council is already present?”
Valyn smiled faintly. “It can.”
Casteel eyed the alcoves. “And do any of them stand in opposition?”
There was silence, and then to our left, a tall man stepped out from the shadows. His eyes were a bright yellow, and his dark hair was turning silver at the temples, meaning he was a very, very old Atlantian.
“Lord Gregori.” Casteel inclined his head, apparently recognizing the man. “You have something to say?”
“I do, Your Highness.” The man bowed while Eloana sent her husband a wry look. “I know there is nothing we can say to suspend what is about to occur, but as one of the oldest Elders on the Council, I feel that I must speak for myself and others who are concerned about this development.”
If he was one of the oldest members of the Council, then I suspected he was a changeling. My gifts pressed against my skin, and I let my senses open just enough to get a read on him. The stringent taste of distrust dried my mouth but wasn’t at all surprising considering his words.
“Your concerns are noted,” Casteel observed. “But as you suspected, they will not delay this.”
The acidic burst of irritation rose from Lord Gregori. He started to step back.
“What are your concerns?” I asked, genuinely curious.
Lord Gregori’s gaze skipped to me. His features showed none of the wariness he felt. “We are on the brink of war, and some of us feel that this is not the time to transfer power.”
Anxiety hummed in my chest as I studied him. A year ago, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to find the courage to ask such a question. Six months ago, I might’ve accepted that what I knew was only half the answer. Today, I didn’t. “And that is all?”
Lord Gregori stared back at me, his spine rigid. “No. We do not know you,” he stated coolly. “You may share the blood of the gods—”
“She is a deity,” Valyn corrected sternly, surprising me. “Descended from the King of Gods, and is Malec’s child. She is not one who simply shares the blood of the gods. You know that.”
My eyes grew wide.
Pink spotted Lord Gregori’s cheeks. “My apologies,” he murmured. “You are a deity, but you are still a foreigner to our lands.”
“And one raised by the enemy as the Maiden?” I finished for him, wondering if it was too much of a leap to consider that he may sympathize with the Unseen, possibly even support them. “Our enemies are the same, Lord Gregori, as are our loyalties. I hope you give me a chance to prove that to be true.”
Approval flickered through Casteel’s father, and I’d be lying if I said that it didn’t feel good.
“I pray to the gods that you do.” Lord Gregori bowed stiffly before stepping back into the shadows.
“Anyone else feel the need to share their opinion?” Casteel asked. There was no movement from the alcoves, but obviously, others shared Lord Gregori’s concerns. “Good.” Casteel smiled tightly. “Because there is much we need to discuss with the Council.”
“They are eager to hear what you must share,” Eloana replied. “We can relinquish the crowns now, and while you meet with the Council, we will send word to the people throughout Evaemon that their new King and Queen will greet them,” she said, turning and extending a hand to the tall doors beyond the statue of Nyktos. “From the balconies of the Temple of Nyktos.”
A shiver skated over my skin as I stared at the smooth, reflective black stone of the floor, a little unnerved to realize that I stood in his Temple. Swallowing, I looked up. “All of this can be done today? The exchange of power? Speaking with the Council and then greeting the people?”
“Yes,” Eloana confirmed.
Casteel squeezed my hand. “Then let’s do this.”
A fondness settled in his mother’s features as she motioned for us to join them. “Come. You should not stand below us but before us.”
Drawing in a deep breath, Casteel and I climbed the short set of steps. What happened next was surreal. My heart slowed and calmed. The faint tremor faded as the hum in my chest spread throughout my body, seeming to wash away and replace the nervousness with a keen sense of rightness. I looked down at the hand that held Casteel’s, half-expecting to find that it was glowing, but my skin appeared normal.
“Bow,” the Queen ordered softly.
Following Casteel’s lead, I lowered to one knee before his mother. Our hands remained joined as his father stood directly before him. I looked over my shoulder. The wolven had sunk to the floor throughout the Temple, heads bowed but eyes open and fixed on the dais. Kieran, Naill, and Emil had done the same, and I saw that Delano had joined us in his mortal form, bowing alongside them.
“As we stand in the Temple of the King of Gods and before the Council of Elders who bear witness, we relinquish the crowns and the thrones of Atlantia,” Valyn announced, “and all the power and sovereignty of the Crown. We do this of our own free will, to pave the way for the peaceful and rightful ascension of Princess Penellaphe and her husband, Prince Casteel.”
Shock splashed through me in response to my title being stated before Casteel’s.
Eloana reached up, removing the gilded crown. Beside her, Valyn did the same with his. They placed them on the floor of the dais.
A whirl of air swept through the Temple, lifting the strands of my hair. Before us, the bleached bones of the crown Valyn had placed on the floor cracked and slipped away, revealing the gilded bone beneath. Both crowns shimmered, a light from within them pulsing intently and then fading until they glimmered in the sunlight.
A rattled breath left Valyn as he and his wife picked up the crowns once more. His voice was steady as he said, “Do you, Casteel Hawkethrone Da’Neer, swear to watch over Atlantia and her people with kindness and strength and lead with compassion and justice, from this moment to your last moment?”
Those words. From this moment to your last moment. My throat tightened.
“I swear to watch over Atlantia and her people,” Casteel answered, his voice thick. “With kindness and strength, and to lead with compassion and justice, from this moment to my last moment.�
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“Then so be it.” His father placed the golden crown atop Casteel’s head.
“Do you, Penellaphe Balfour Da’Neer,” Eloana spoke, and a rush went through me at hearing his last name attached to mine, “swear to watch over Atlantia and her people with kindness and strength and lead with compassion and justice, from this moment to your last moment?”
My skin vibrated as I once again followed Casteel’s lead. “I swear to watch over Atlantia and her people with kindness and strength, and to lead with compassion and justice, from this moment to my last moment.”
“So be it,” Eloana answered, lowering the crown she held to the top of my head.
Flames sparked to life in the once-barren torches of the gods that stood to either side, one after another, until fire erupted from the torch that Nyktos held. The flames that crackled and flickered above the torches were silvery-white.
“Rise,” Eloana ordered softly, her eyes glistening with bright tears when I looked up. She smiled. “Rise as the Queen and King of Atlantia.”
Chapter 37
The weight of the gilded crown was unexpected, lighter than I imagined but only in the physical sense. An intangible heaviness came with it, one that spoke of thousands of years of decisions, choices, sacrifices, and gains.
But I would bear the weight because I’d sworn to, just like Casteel had.
He looked rather striking with the crown resting upon his head.
I looked over at him as we stood just inside the palace foyer before a row of banners that hung from the ceiling to rest a scant inch or two from the floor. The palace staff had been called and briefly introduced to us by Eloana and Valyn. There had been hundreds of them, from kitchen staff to housekeeping to the stable hands and those responsible for the grounds. My head had spun from all the faces and names, and now they were filing out from the foyer while my gaze swept over Casteel.
He wore the crown as if he’d been born to.
Eloana approached us, along with an older woman wearing a long-sleeved gown of gold—the color that all the staff wore. I’d learned that many lived within the palace on the floors above, while some maintained homes offsite with family. I’d been shocked to learn that they held quarters among the Lords and Ladies. In Solis, the staff was considered servants, and they shared bare rooms lined with cots and very little personal items.
The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood And Ash Series Book 3) Page 48