Page 42 of A Fate of Blood and Magic (Fated #2)

The dragons were back and, much to Everly’s delight, Adela had summoned her.

The citizens of Niev lined the streets of Reignom with the shifter fae who’d come for the coronation.

While only the shifters’ leader and his family were invited to the coronation ceremony, the rest waited outside the castle.

Back in the realm where they once lived freely.

It was a monumental day, not just for Elias and me but for everyone who had ever called Niev home.

When the priestess opened the holy book, I noticed the tears that shone behind Elias’s eyes. He was to be king, to take up his father’s crown, and lead his people when so much was still in turmoil.

Not knowing protocol, only that I wanted to be there for him, I stepped to his side and rested my hand on his shoulder. His fingers clasped around mine.

I brushed my mind-speak magic against his mind in case he wanted to say something privately. He was quiet for a while.

“I’m honored to have you at my side,” he said. “I knew this day would come. I just never expected it to be so quickly. This kingdom, our kingdom, needs us to be better rulers than my parents were. I don’t know how to be better than them, simply that we must.”

While I hadn’t lived in Niev while his parents ruled, I knew Elias was already a better leader. He cared about his people, would sacrifice himself for them, and would put them above his own needs.

Could I do the same?

“We’ll figure this whole king and queen thing out,” I said. “Whatever lies ahead, we’re in this together.”

With his crown upon his head, he stood to take my hands and guided me to kneel.

Rather than letting the priestess crown me, he did it himself.

His eyes glistened as he placed the crown on my head.

The heavy weight was startling, but I managed to keep my head upright so it wouldn’t fall to the pristine floor.

While the priestess continued speaking, Elias ran his knuckles across my cheek as he mouthed the words, “ I love you. ”

He helped me to my feet, leaving his hand on the small of my back, and I pressed into him, letting his hand ground me while the priestess spoke to everyone in attendance.

With a quick kiss to my forehead, he called George forward.

Shoulders pulled back, George went to Elias, where he knelt on a single knee.

From his inner pocket of magic, Elias withdrew a beautiful sword I’d never seen before.

It was silvery white, with the blade and handle decorated with intricate markings.

“Do you swear fealty to the people of Niev, always putting their lives and best interests before your own?” Elias asked.

I held a hand to my chest as I took in George’s solemn expression.

“I do,” he said, the two words reverberating off the high walls.

“I declare you Niev’s commander,” Elias said. “Not only will you lead our warriors in times of war, but you will also lead our citizens in times of peace.”

George clasped Elias’s outstretched hand, and when Elias gave him the sword specially made for George and this occasion, I heard the euphoric thoughts that filled George’s mind. How proud and humbled he felt at the honor of being named commander and his awe over the intricately designed sword.

By the time the ceremony finished, my mind was heavy with fatigue, but Elias and I greeted each person who came, stopping to talk to whoever wanted our attention. Brenton brought me a plate of finger food that I tried to share with Elias, but he refused, making sure I ate enough.

While joyous music filtered from the room beside the throne room, Elias and I didn’t have time to dance. I was happy to see my fae and human friends did, although neither Koa nor Bon joined in the festivities.

At least they’d come. It was a start to what I hoped would be peace among Niev and the citizens outside her borders.

Just as the night was drawing to an end, Brenton came up to us and bowed. When he extended a rock he held in his hand, I bit my inner cheek to keep from smirking. Then I saw the googly eyes that adorned his rock.

I took the offered rock and smiled at Brenton as I handed the rock to Elias.

He turned it over and showed me the bottom where Brenton had scribbled Rocko beneath it.

I angled my head in curiosity but before Brenton could explain, a fae couple presented us with another rock, also adorned with googly eyes.

I thanked them while Elias coughed to cover his laugh.

One after another, fae approached us, gifting us with rocks. They seemed so genuinely pleased with themselves that I started to feel guilty. Here I was, their new queen, tricking them into giving me something foolish, all because I’d wanted to make Brenton smile earlier.

It was immature, but with each rock we were given, my smile grew wider. By the end of the night, we’d been gifted sixty-two rocks. I couldn’t wait to put our new pet rocks inside our home. Maybe I could even sneak some into Brenton’s and Ryenne’s homes.

Something that had started off as a joke now carried precious meaning. The fae, the people who were now mine to care for, had felt like they were doing something special for me. The idea that they’d wanted to do this for me filled my heart with joy.

Once I was able to retreat to my room in the castle, I excused the female fae waiting to help me change. I needed a moment to myself, to reflect. After taking a deep breath and settling my spinning mind, I slipped the glittering gown down.

After putting on a shirt and jeans, I hurried down the stairs to meet up with Elias and our friends, who’d also changed into more comfortable clothes, except for Donnie who remained in his patrol guard uniform.

Impatient, the kids had already left with Koa, Bon, and their kids.

While Javier’s friends had been camping before, this would be a first for the rest of the kids.

Elias was excited to share a part of his youth with them, and I was eager to stay outdoors all night.

When I reached the bottom of the stairs, Elias picked me up in his arms and twirled us twice before he set me back down.

He shot a quick look up the stairs, and I wasn’t sure if it was the portrait of his dad or that his mom hadn’t left her room to honor him that made his eyes darken. When he dug the heel of his hand against his chest, I covered his hand with mine. His features softened when he looked down at me.

He pressed a kiss to my temple, lingering for a few seconds before guiding us to the door. Once outside, Brenton nudged his shoulder against mine.

“Did you get enough rocks?” he asked.

“It’s a good start to my collection,” I answered with a smirk.

Ryenne snorted. “What the hell was that about anyway?”

“Our very human tradition of rock collecting on important occasions,” I said .

Elias conjured a rock and shook it to make the googly eyes bounce. “What’s with the name on the bottom?”

Also curious, I waited for Brenton to explain.

“Did you really want to be in charge of naming them all?” He shrugged. “I thought I’d save you the hassle. You’re welcome.”

“I wonder how many rocks your twins will receive,” Alastor said.

“What are we going to do with all these rocks?” Elias turned his beautiful violet eyes to me, and I had to suppress the laugh that built at his surprised look. “They’re going to want to give us rocks at the babes’ births, birthdays, holidays. Teddy, what have you done?”

That was it . . . the look of utter defeat did me in.

I barked out a loud laugh that made my whole body shake.

The longer he looked at me with that bewildered expression, the harder I laughed.

Tears sprang to my eyes. He cracked a smile and draped a hand over my quaking shoulders while he turned the rock in his hand.

“They named this one Princess Pebble.” One side of his lips quirked up.

When the others laughed with me, he pulled out another rock while making Princess Pebble disappear.

“Dusty Rocks.” He pulled out another rock. “Gravel Prince.” Another. “Grandfather Granite.”

Each name was creative and brought on another round of laughter. And it was good to laugh. For so long, it felt as though we’d simply been...solemn. Perhaps something silly on occasion was okay.

We barely reached the bottom step of the courtyard when three shifters and a male fae approached us .

“Apologies for disturbing you.” The male bowed. “I tried to speak to you after your coronation, but . . .”

“We were always busy,” Elias said with an easy smile. “What did you wish to speak to us about?”

“My son.” He held a hand to his chest and scratched his shirt. “The orphanage said you’d taken temporary custody of him.”

Relief seemed to flood Elias at the same time it did me. Oh my God. Kieren’s dad is alive. Elias’s throat bobbed, and when he opened his mouth, nothing came out, so I stepped in.

“You’re Kieren’s dad? Are you okay? Do you need anything? God, we’ve looked for you. I’m so glad you’re here.” I knew I was babbling, but I didn’t care. I was so relieved. I wanted to hug him. Instead, I extended my hand in greeting. “I’m Teddy.”

“Yes, Your Majesty, I know who you are. I’m Silas,” he replied, his attention bouncing from me to Elias.

He seemed just as nervous or eager as us. Of course, he was. He wanted to see his son after being apart for so many months.

“He’s with our other kids and a couple of friends, getting everything set up to camp out in the woods tonight. Silas, Kieren is such an amazing young man. He’s brave and kind and . . . selfless,” I said.

Silas lowered his head, just as I’d seen Kieren do many times. “Thank you,” he said with humility. “I am proud of him.”

I smiled, truly smiled for Silas and Kieren, but also for Elias. This was one less weight he had to carry.

“We’re on our way to them now, but I can bend space and take you to him,” Elias offered.

Anticipation lit Silas’s eyes. “Yes, please. ”

Elias extended a hand to me that I took as Silas gripped his shoulder.