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Holy crap on a toaster, I can’t believe they all slept through that. We’re all exhausted, and it’s been a damn long week. Gray doesn’t bother to pull his cock out of me, instead wrapping his arms around me as he struggles to catch his breath.

“You okay?” he pants and I nod.

“I’m amazing,” I breathe, earning myself a grin.

Isaac pulls out of Silla, gathering her in his arms to lay next to us, and Gray turns on his side. Snagging the corner of a blanket, he throws it over us.

“Love you all,” he mumbles into my neck, already falling asleep.

Silla’s eyes are closed, her breaths already deepening into sleep. Isaac smiles at me over her head, kissing her head. Everything is starting to click into place, and I can’t begin to describe how that feels.

AYDEN

Today is coronation day, and the castle is a flurry of activity. I got a surprise when I woke up and found Isaac, Andrya, Grayson, and Silla in a naked pile of limbs, but mostly I’m incredibly happy for them. My sister has been struggling for months, and this was a big step for her.

A knock on the door was the beginning of our day, and we haven’t stopped since. Isaac and I have checked every camera several times, making sure it all worked, and there was no way to hijack our feed. I pulled in two Underground tech support people, and taught them the system in fifteen minutes.

Now, I’m smirking as I watch them stare at it wide-eyed.

“This is amazing,” Traci mutters, shaking her head. “We’ll make certain to cycle through the cameras up until the coronation, and then keep our eyes on the area surrounding it. Nothing is touching our queen.”

Lionel nods, looking over at me. “She’ll be as safe as we can possibly make her,” he promises.

“That’s all I can do.” I sigh. “Thanks guys.”

Striding out of the room, I join Isaac as we rush outside for the coronation. It was hard to leave the security room, but my place is by her side, and it always will be. We’ll iron out the issues in Forbach, but know it’s not going to happen overnight.

The coronation is happening in the town square, which isn’t far from the castle. The procession already has started, and Silla drove in with Kenzo, Sidney, Grayson, and Andrya. They’re all well armed, including Silla. I made sure to strap a knife to her thigh before rushing off to check the cameras.

There are five cameras in the square, all trained to sweep the area. Silla’s guard is spread out as well. Regardless, I still have a rock hard dread in the pit of my stomach.

“She couldn’t possibly be any more well protected,” Isaac mutters to me, trying to tone down my anxiety. “Get it together, we need to join her on the stage.”

We are all dressed in Silla’s colors, which are black and lilac. Our ties are lilac colored, while our suits are all black. It is tradition in Forbach for the King and Queen consorts to be crowned. While our situation is a little different, Kinsley was still adamant about this. I wonder if anyone will call her Queen maker under their breaths after this, since she did have a hand in helping Silla.

Climbing onto the stage, which is a large platform, we join our family. Silla is dressed in a lilac and deep purple dress, the material resembling a corset and then waves of fabric as the colors fade to the bottom in an ombré effect. Her hair is twisted into a waterfall of curls over her shoulder, and she takes my breath away. Don’t take my man card for this, I have a sister, and a sensitive side.

Silla appears calm, but I’m close enough to see the slight tremor in her hands. The square is currently empty, the people being allowed in at a controlled pace. I didn’t want the stage rushed, and Sidney also agreed this would protect Silla best.

Knowing our procedures are being followed, I turn to look at Andrya. Her blonde hair is up in a braided bun, her blue streak well hidden. Her lilac dress is one tone, with long sleeves. None of us are wearing coats, even as the snow falls around us. Thankfully, there’s a canopy over the stage, and Kinsley insisted on heaters strategically placed on the stage, so none of us are shivering. Andrya looks royal and beautiful.

I suppose, we all clean up really well. Sidney made certain to trim his goatee, Grayson cut his normally unruly curls, and Isaac styled his hair before forcing himself not to play with it. I swear, his hair is usually sticking up in all directions from running his fingers through it when he thinks. Kenzo’s eyes are out on the crowd as they walk in, the skin pinching slightly as he watches.

Today could be dangerous, it’s why I’m so on edge. Forcing myself to breathe, I remind myself we have this handled. Once everyone is settled, I’m in awe at how many people are here. The square is huge, and there’s a park a few feet away from it, where people also gathered. There are media crew here to record the entire historical moment, and I get choked up for a moment. We really fucking did it.

Kinsley looks every bit the duchess as she lifts the microphone to her lips.

“People of Forbach, we have had a difficult few years. Some have suffered more than others, but today we come together in a gesture of good faith and hope. Silla Tremaine is someone whose kindness doesn’t need words. She deeply feels the plight of her people, and is desperate to help. As you know Cinder was her step-sister, who felt the need to torture and abuse her and her consorts,” she begins. “They understand how terrible our now deceased queen could be, and are already taking steps to change things.”

“Like what?” someone in the crowd yells, and Silla takes a step forward before she registers that she did.

Kinsley raises her brows in question, but Silla nods. Handing the microphone over, she waits to see what our soon to be queen has to say.

“Forbach is my home,” Silla says. “I fought hard for the pleasure of staying here, was incarcerated without cause, and tortured. There are so many beautiful things about our kingdom, but there are also terrible things. The cruelty within our military and Queen Cinder’s auditors is an example of this. A terrible stomach flu swept through the castle, and those people no longer live. I know our crops failed this year, so my consorts and I want to ensure there’s a greenhouse in each major town and city. Then, we’ll find out why the crops failed and fix this.”

“None of this will happen overnight, simply because our problems are many. However, together we can find solid, long term solutions. I need a little grace if I misstep, as I am unfortunately human,” she says with a small smile.

The crowd chuckles, and people look more relaxed.