Birdsong echoes through the nearly-empty Temple. Bright chirps bounce from stone.
Reba came to my chamber carrying a large bag. She hooked the loop over the mirror frame—another temporary installation in the tiny, crowded space. With a slight, nervous smile, she untied the knot and pulled the bag down to reveal the gown inside. I gasped.
“Do you like it?”
“It’s beautiful.” I gave her pictures and suggestions, but what she’s crafted is a perfect blend of modern and traditional Auralian aesthetics. Tiny white pearl buttons trailed down the high back, a nod to Oceanside. Sheer, tight-sleeved lace sleeves ended in a slight bell shape at the wrist—reminiscent of my old white ceremonial gloves, one tradition I don’t intend to resurrect. Gold embroidery at the hem and bodice reflected the celestia, as well as motifs from the other provinces. There were jeweled emerald and amethyst violets for my hair, to match the flowers decorating the Temple and my diadem.
Reba passed me a box. “Scarlett sent a wedding gift.”
My face flamed when I saw what was inside. She helped me into the underpinnings and a robe, then my new maid, Norah’s replacement, arrived to arrange my hair. Scarlett popped in to do my makeup, since I’m woefully out of practice, which gave me a chance to thank her for the lingerie set.
“No need for thanks. I figured you couldn’t get La Perla in Auralia. Might be a little big. I had to guess the size.”
Birdsong was slowly overtaken by the unmistakable sounds of people filing into the building. While the Temple is stable, the roof won’t be fixed until next summer, and the section of broken stone benches had to be cleared out to make room for standing observers.
“Time to dress, Zosia.”
I was buttoned into the pristine gown with its billowing skirt. When the diadem is placed on my forehead, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.
I felt strangely calm. Not quite joyful—yet—but not at all nervous. Somber as I contemplated the gravity and significance of the day. I wonder how Lorcan is holding up. I wonder if he, like me, misses Cata.
I wonder if Saskaya and Raghnall brought Sethi with them. I’ll have to remember not to acknowledge my only living relative as anything more than a close friend’s son.
The priests and priestesses begin to sing. Birds chirped in the background. Their voices swelled and rose on currents of warm air, but my flesh goosepimpled beneath my gown. I shivered. I have the strangest sensation that a thousand ghosts are watching. I don’t believe in ghosts. But I do feel the full weight of history as if the hands of my foremothers are carrying me into the future; a lightness in place of crushing weight.
Never knew I had such a superstitious streak.
“It’s time.” Reba waved me forward.
I can’t hide my smile as I come around the broken statue of the goddess. So many faces in a blur below the dais. Only one matters. He’s there, on the other side, waiting for me.
Later, I remembered nothing of the ceremony apart from how calm he was and the sound of birds.
Not the blessing.
Not the vows.
Nothing but the way he surveys the crowd before turning to me. A thrill skitters up my spine. I’m handing him everything he ever dreamed of having. I’ve never felt more powerful in my life.
When he turns to me, Lorcan’s eyes are the blue of the hottest fire. The kind that scorches and cleanses, that melts the iciest of hearts.
The kiss incinerates my core.
Applause sends startled wings beating the air above us. This time, I’m the one who’s blushing. I don’t need a mirror to know it.
One last task—two, if you include opening the wedding banquet and planned three-day bacchanal that will take place in the streets of The Walled City—and then we can go back to our unassuming domestic nest, where I’ve been happier than I ever imagined possible.
My heart took flight, along with dozens of birds, flapping up and out the open hole in the roof. Goldenwings and finches, even a magpie.
We knelt for the coronation ceremony. The priestess removed my diadem and, after the swearing of an oath to uphold the laws, rule wisely and compassionately, etcetera, etcetera, replaced it with a more ornate, heavier version. It pressed coldly against my temples. When I rose, Lorcan remained on one knee.
The priestess repeated the oath, with a slight addition to protect the queen and her progeny (if they should happen, not that anyone says it out loud).
I was the one who placed the simple gold and sapphire crown on Lorcan’s head. Did I once say I would never choose him? Famous last words.
When he looks up at me, the rest of the world falls away. This would have been so fraught if we’d come to this moment with mistrust. It would have been so much lonelier to confront this responsibility alone.
“Rise,” I say. He does, fluidly, holding my gaze. My core clenches.Finally, finally, finally.
