by Renee Carr
“What?” Stanley sputtered and then turned to Devon. “I will not give up the throne!”
“Father,” Devon said, in no uncertain terms. “You must if you want to live.”
“Son, how can you allow them to just...”
“Father,” Devon said and took a step forward. “Please. I want you to live. Trust me. Trust my abilities.”
The two wolves held each other’s gaze for quite a while, and then Stanley, very slowly and very deliberately, moved away from Devon. To Sarah’s surprise, he got down on one knee and lowered his gaze.
He was showing submission and obedience to his own son, which was the ultimate in acceptance. In the wolf world, he had just handed over his allegiance and loyalty to Devon for all time.
Devon took a deep breath. John could see that he was shaking, but he turned to both of them.
“Is that satisfactory, my lord?” Devon asked.
“It is,” John said. “You are aware of the terms and conditions of this agreement?”
“I am, my lord,” Devon said.
“Then,” John stated, “I hereby appoint you as Alpha of the Wolf Kingdom.”
Devon looked so nervous that Sarah wanted to get off the throne and walk down to give him a hug. She maintained her composure, although she managed to give him a small smile. Her nerves started to fall away as she granted Devon courage. It was at that moment that she realized she was going to be alright when she officially sat on this throne. As long as she had other people to worry about, she could find strength in giving them a warm smile from the throne.
“Thank you, my lord,” Devon said. “I promise you that I will always be faithful to you. May I take my father back to our territory, in order to be sentenced?”
“You may,” John said, and Devon bowed again.
Stanley was handed over to Devon, unhandcuffed. It was a risk, but Sarah and John knew that Devon wasn’t going to betray them.
Once he was gone, and the throne room was mostly empty again, Sarah and John turned to each other.
“Not so bad for the first time working together, eh?” he asked with a small smile.
“I guess only time will tell,” Sarah slid off the throne and stood up. She looked at it like it was a foreign entity, glancing at it from every side. “I really would like to be coronated, John,” she said after a few moments. “There are some parts of history that we can’t deny.”
“I understand,” John nodded. “I have already started the plans, although I imagine you’d want to have a look at them.”
“You know,” she said, a playful glint in her eye, “this is one thing that I don’t mind if it’s done completely the traditional way.”
“My, my,” he said, teasing her. “It seems that the throne has some magical powers over you.”
“Don’t get used to it,” she grinned. “But just this once... I’d like to honor the kings and queens of old.”
He got up as well and went over to kiss her on the cheek.
“Thank you,” he said to her. “My ancestors would be thrilled.”
“What matters is the future,” she said with a smile.
Chapter 25
“I keep expecting war to break out at any second,” Sarah said to John with a smile as they waited just outside the grand hall. Inside, she could hear hundreds of voices, waiting for them to enter the room. They were clad in simple black and red outfits because their attire was about to be added to in the most decadent and elegant ways. Today, their coronation day, would officially solidify them as the rulers of Knorpp. Their names would be written in the history books, their portraits painted and hung on the walls, and their rule both celebrated and scrutinized until the end of their days.
“Hopefully not,” John said as he listened to the conversations inside. It was mostly murmuring, but he could pick out a few voices, chattering about their day. “But there’s a first time for everything.”
“I know that they are saying that about our rule,” Sarah said. “But honestly, there are some firsts that we don’t need to conquer.”
John chuckled.
“I agree with that, my lady,” he said, as he heard the crowd begin to quiet down. “Are you ready?”
“I’ll only display this much emotion once,” she teased him. “But I am very glad you are with me, to walk down this aisle this time.”
“I would do this with no one else,” he answered, holding out his arm. They took a step back as they heard the regal trumpets blow, and then the doors opened.
This time, the entire crowd was already on their knees as they entered. Sarah held tightly to John’s arm as they walked in, their heads held high. At the front of the crowd, in front of the two thrones, was the archbishop, in royal colors. Sarah had a flash of the last two times they had seen the man and felt her feelings waver. He had been there at a time of such happiness and such sadness, and now, he would truly be solidifying the rest of their lives.
It was a slow progression to the front of the hall, but eventually, they made it. Sarah and John stood in front of the thrones, turning to face the crowd. The various garments of royalty were around them, on tables and in the waiting hands of members of the clergy. She could see the princes standing off to the side, looking regal and handsome themselves. Each one of them wore a red ruby crown, held together with solid gold.
Beyond the princes, Sarah could see the wolf and bear Alphas standing there, their heads bowed. And beside them, not quite in line with them, was Devon. He didn’t wear a crown, for his father still lived and he didn’t want to rock the shaky situation he was in. However, he was in his own royal colors and he smiled at them. Sarah gave him a small smile back, nodding her acceptance of his attendance. John followed her gaze and gave Devon a nod as well. It would be a rocky road back to peace, but they were on it, and that was good enough for now.
The archbishop looked to the two new rulers to see if they were ready. Sarah let go of John’s hand, and they separated slightly, so the clergy would have room to stand between them. The archbishop cleared his throat and then began to speak the words that had been spoken for over 800 ceremonies before them, in that very spot.
“Sirs and ladies, I hereby present unto you Queen Sarah and King John, your undoubted queen and king of Knorpp and the universe wherefore all you who are come this day to do your homage and service. Are you willing to do the same?”
“We will do the same!” chorused the crowd. Sarah felt like it was her wedding day again, and they were being asked not to protest the fact that she was standing there. She knew there were many reasons why the crowd could protest, but she appreciated their acceptance. She always felt out of place in her family, restless in the countryside that they called home. She always felt like she was reading too much, learning too much, and there was no one who understood her. However, now, standing here, she knew that she had found her place. “Creator save Queen Sarah and King John!”
“Madam and sir, are Your Majesties willing to take the oath?” The archbishop turned to them and both of them spoke in strong voices.
“I am willing,” they said in unison. Unlike their wedding, which had been forced and quick, they had time to practice this ceremony. Sarah glanced to John and remembered their laughter as they had practiced, trying to say things in unison. She was sure that it was going to come out a mess today, and she had accepted they would be out of sync. However, one glance at him and she could tell that their souls were connected.
“Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the people of Knorpp and of your possessions and other territories to any of them belonging or pertaining, according to their respective laws and customs?”
“I solemnly promise to do so,” John said first, looking out at the crowd. For the two of them, standing up in front of the thrones represented radically different things. There was happiness that they shared. However, while Sarah was excited, John felt a pang of sadness. As he got older, he realized that the day his destiny was decided was tied to his father’s death.
He would miss Michael, even with all they had disagreed upon, and he hoped that his father was somewhere, looking down and proud.
“Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the people of the Knorpp and of your possessions and other territories to any of them belonging or pertaining, according to their respective laws and customs?”
“I solemnly promise to do so,” Sarah swore, her voice echoing through the chamber.
“Will you to your power cause law and justice, in mercy, to be executed in all your judgments?”
“I will,” John said, and then turned to Sarah. She had teased him that she had the easy route, because all she had to do was memorize what he said, rather than learning lines on her own.
“Will you to your power cause law and justice, in mercy, to be executed in all your judgments?”
“I will,” she swore and she meant every word.
“Will you to the utmost of your power maintain the laws of the Creator? Will you to the utmost of your power maintain in Knorpp, established by law?”
“All of this we promise to do,” they said in unison. They planned to change laws, rights, and privileges, to overhaul the kingdom and bring new hope to their citizens, and they planned to uphold the rules they wrote until their last breath.
“Creator save the king and queen. Long live the king and queen. Be thy hands anointed with holy oil. Be thy breast anointed with holy oil. Be thy head anointed with holy oil, as kings, priests, and prophets were anointed.”
Sarah tried not to flinch as the cold oil was brushed across her chest, and then brushed across her forehead. John ducked as the clergyman was shorter than him, and both of them closed their eyes in silent prayer.
“Receive this kingly sword, brought now from the original kingdom, and delivered to you by the hands of us the bishops and servants of the Creator, though unworthy.”
The sword was long and heavy, encrusted with dragon fire rubies and freshly sharpened. Sarah’s arm flexed as she held hers, and then John took his. Together, they touched the tips of their blades, symbolizing that they would always go into battle together.
“Receive the bracelets of sincerity and wisdom, both for tokens of the Creator’s protection embracing you on every side, and also for symbols and pledges of that bond which unites you with your people: to the end that you may be strengthened in all your works and defended against your enemies both bodily and ghost.”
The bracelets also had dragon fire rubies around them, and they were put around the opposite wrist. Sarah held hers so it sparkled in the sunlight coming through the skylight, and she smiled. With every move, she felt more and more like a queen.
“Receive this imperial robe, and the Lord your Creator may imbue you with knowledge and wisdom, with majesty and with power from on high; the universe clothes you with the robe of righteousness, and with the garments of salvation.”
The robes were huge and they dwarfed Sarah. They had fur around them, and they were red velvet. She hadn’t realized that she had been a bit cold until they were wrapped around her shoulders. Now, she felt warm and cozy. She gave John a smile, and he smiled back, arching his back a little bit so that the robe fanned out a bit. He looked completely regal and majestic, and Sarah thought that the light shone just a little bit stronger as he stepped forward.
“Receive this orb, and remember that the whole world is subject to the power and empire of the universe,” the archbishop said, and both of them were handed orbs that were meant to symbolize Knorpp. They were incredibly large and Sarah felt her hand start to cramp around the weight of it.
“Oh, Creator, the crown of the faithful: bless, we beseech thee, these crowns, and so sanctify thy servants John and Sarah, upon whose heads this day thou dost place them for a sign of royal majesty, that they may be filled by thine abundant grace with all princely virtues.”
This was the moment that she had been waiting for. She lengthened her neck, and the archbishop put her crown on her head. They were beautiful crowns, light and full of gold and rubies. Sarah couldn’t believe that hundreds of years of history were now on top of her head. She felt the weight of hundreds of ancestors within the crown. However, she also felt the power and approval of those who came before her, willing to help her.
“We beseech thee also to save and defend all kings, princes, and governors, and especially thy servant Sarah, our queen, and thy servant John, our prince; that under them, we may be godly and quietly governed, and grant unto their whole council, and to all that are put in authority under them, that they may truly and indifferently minister justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of thy true religion and virtue.”
Sarah took John’s hand and stepped forward. The entire crowd rose and took up the chant that the archbishop was crying out.
“Creator save King John and Queen Sarah!”
They took their seats on the throne, officially coronated, as the lords and ladies moved forward. Sarah had been warned that this was the most boring part of the ceremony. However, she felt honored for the moment to get to see each and every one of their nobles, because she knew it was unlikely they would ever be in the same room again. Each of them stepped forward, bowed, and swore allegiance to the king and queen.
“I, Prince Nathan, heir to the throne, do solemnly, sincerely, and truly affirm and declare that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to King John and Queen Sarah, true rulers of Knorpp.”
“I, Prince Joshua, do solemnly, sincerely, and truly affirm and declare that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to King John and Queen Sarah, true rulers of Knorpp.”
The moment of truth, however, came when Devon stepped forward. There wasn’t a soul in that crowd who knew what had happened, and why Devon was currently Alpha of the Wolf Kingdom. There had been so many rumors and whispers over the past few weeks that Devon was angry, or that the wolves were planning another attack. Sarah could see, out of the corner of her eye, the guards shifting slightly, in case they had to jump on Devon. She could see the crowd tense, and she was sure they expected her to be worried. However, she simply looked Devon right in the eye as he kneeled, and he never broke her gaze.
“I, King Devon, do solemnly, sincerely, and truly affirm and declare that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to King John and Queen Sarah, true rulers of Knorpp.”
The strength and certainty in his voice were so strong that there wasn’t a soul in the room who doubted him after that. The nobles continued to bend a knee to them until the long line was at an end. Sarah and John rose for a final time, and then took three steps down the throne, as the archbishop announced the final line of the ceremony.
“And so begins the 848th rule of the Dragon Kingdom, King John, and Queen Sarah. Long may they rule.”
“Long may they rule!” came the final cry. They walked through the long aisles, and then out of the room. There was a banquet set up in their honor, and the crowd was supposed to say one final prayer before they joined them. It meant that they had a precious few moments alone.
John recognized that fact, and took Sarah in his arms, kissing her.
“Well,” he said with a warm smile, “that’s done.”
“Indeed it is,” she said. There were smaller versions of their thrones at the head of the banquet hall, and she let him lead her to them. She didn’t want to sit quietly yet, though, because it meant letting go of his hand. “And do you think that our kingdom finally believes we have peace?”
“I think they do, without a doubt,” John said. “The way that Devon spoke, no one could question it. And it’s all because of you, my dear.”
“It’s because of us,” she assured him. “We’re a team, John.”
He squeezed her hand with a smile.
“So, my darling,” he said, “we’ve brought peace to the kingdom. We’ve been married and coronated. It seems all the loose ends are tied up. What’s next?”
“Well,” Sarah said with a smirk, as the rest of the crowd started flooding
in, “I was thinking that perhaps we could unseat Nathan from his place as heir.”
“What?” John gaped at her. “What do you mean? Has Nathan done something to offend you? Has...”
“John,” Sarah grinned, “I was thinking we could try for a little heir of our own.”
“Oh,” he said, and then his eyes widened. “Oh! I see.”
“So?” she asked. “What do you think?”
“I think,” he said, leaning in to kiss her, “it’s a marvelous idea. But then, most of the ideas you have are marvelous.”
“I hope that you are still saying that in 20 years,” she said.
“20 years?” he scoffed. “I hope I get to say that forever.”
“Did I hear my name?” Nathan asked, approaching them, and both the king and queen dissolved in laughter.
“It’s nothing,” John said. “Just plans for the future.”
“Good plans, I hope?” Nathan asked and Sarah smiled.
“The best plans,” she assured him. “The best.”
Hope you enjoyed Nathan and Sarah’s story! If you missed the first book of the series about Nathan’s brother, John, and his mate, Ivy, check it out on Amazon!
The Dragon and the Singer
Author’s Note
I hope you enjoyed Nathan and Ivy’s story! If you did, would you leave a review on Amazon? I would really appreciate it!
If you missed the first book in the series, The Dragon and the Singer, you can check out a preview of it on the next page.
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Love ya!
Renee