Krew wrapped an arm around me. “I love you.”
This wasn’t the ending we’d wanted. It wasn’t how I had dared to dream it, but I was standing here next to Krew, free to build a life with him.
So could I really be disappointed after all?
We could be disappointed and let it go, not allowing it to fester into resentment. So we did the right thing and we walked out onto the balcony and off to the side, a show of support as we listened to Keir’s speech.
It took minutes for the crowd to settle enough to let him say a word. The blue Wylan flags were rippling in the breeze off the top of the balcony. The sun was in and out among fluffy white clouds. It was a beautiful day for a king to be crowned. Even if it wasn’t my king. I looked up at Krew and smiled.
You’ll always be my king,I told him.
He placed a kiss on my forehead.Always my queen.
We were going to be okay. More than okay. Just because this wasn’t the ending we’d wanted or imagined, didn’t mean it was a bad one.
Keir rested his hands on the balcony, his attention forward. His shoulders and neck were tight, but he looked every bit a king. The excitement around who he would choose as queen was also sure to drive Wylan mad with rumors.
“I come before you humbled and proud,” Keir began, the crowd hushing to a silence.
With the Enchanted amplifying the sound of his voice, carrying it on their magic, soon no noise other than the flags flapping in the breeze was heard. That so many people could be so quiet was eerie. But they were all waiting with bated breath to hear from their new king.
“It is no secret my father’s reign left a trail of destruction behind him in his selfish efforts for more power.” Keir paused, his shoulders rising with his deep inhale. “I know this next one will be different. Long overdue, it will be a reign that Wylan doesn’t need, but rather the one that she deserves.”
The crowd roared with agreement, whistles and screams being heard over the sound of clapping.
I smiled knowing Keir was right.
“Wylan,” Keir continued, the crowd going quiet again. “I will always protect you, fight for you, and work to better you. I will always be your heir.” He paused. “But I am not your king.”
My breath got lodged in my throat as my eyes went to Krew’s. He was looking at Keir with a crease in his brow.
The entire crowd had seemed to take a collective gasp.
“I was the true heir, yes. Born seven minutes before my brother, it seems.” He paused and looked over his shoulder at Krew. “But in less than seven minutes, I will give you the king you deserve. Give you the kingandqueen Wylan deserves. My first and only act as king is to abdicate. To my brother.”
Whispers rippled across the crowd in waves as my brain and breath stopped entirely. What was Keir doing? Could he even do this? Was this allowed?
“Seven minutes should not determine which of us should lead Wylan. Not a mere matter of minutes, but rather our character should, who we are. I know in my soul that Krew and Jorah are that for all of us. In the wake of my father, Wylan shouldn’t settle for a mediocre king. It should have the best. And we have that in King Krewan and Queen Jorah. Their reign will be one of kindness and justice bringing an era of healing to Wylan.”
Someone from the crowd shouted the question we were all wondering. “What about you?”
Keir answered with amusement in his tone. “I will continue to be a prince of Wylan, continue to fight for and help Wylan, but I will do so under the guidance of our king and queen.” He paused. “Wylan deserves the best and I am man enough to know that isn’t me.” Another pause. “I do not care who the rightful heir is, I care who therightheir is. That is my brother, Krew.”
With another deep breath, he turned, taking the crown off his head.
I still wasn’t sure I was breathing, but I was evidently crying as I felt the moisture on my cheeks. Krew was also stunned, a statue beside me. His disbelief down the bond mirrored my own.
I wondered how long Keir had known he was doing this. When I had asked him if what he needed to do was best for Wylan or himself, he’d told me both.
He was giving it all up? For us? Something he had hoped and wished for his entire life, and just handing it over?
Keir walked over to Krew and placed the crown on his head as the crowd went absolutely insane. When he was done, he gave him a hug, squeezing him hard.
“What are you doing?” I gasped through my tears as Keir moved to hug me.
Keir had to yell over the crowd noise so I could hear him. “Finishing saving Wylan.” He pulled back and looked me in the eyes. “You’ve always been the queen Wylan needed. Whether you believed it or not.”
My mouth fell open. He was just handing it over to us? To me?
