Page 46

46

brOKEN

Darina

G iven the last time the leaders of Ilvaris came to the Hollow, I wasn't looking forward to welcoming them again, but this time, they come as friends, with a generous tithe, and plenty of praise.

Well, I wouldn't say Reina is friendly, but she offers no disrespect.

The fact that I've more or less left them alone unless specifically asked to give my judgement on a conflict likely reassures them all.

I wouldn't say the Hollow is usually quiet, but tonight's a change in our routine, with so many guests.

A number of the guests tonight are eldritch, too. Death is drinking with the court of night's king—another of his sons—and even Hypnos has come. I don't think he leaves his twin alone, after so long apart. Calreth and Ryther complete the extremely handsome group by the wine.

It's the first day of the conclave, and I wait until every court is here, before standing.

Loch, who no longer needs to remain by my side at all times to whisper advice on every interaction, nods from the entry facing the throne, indicating that he's done his part.

First, I join the flute and the drummer settling to play for us, because it never hurts to soften my courts' hearts before delivering the sort of shock I'm about to give them. Only when they've all cried for more, and begged me to keep playing forever, do I return to my throne.

Tonight is the end of so much, and the beginning of a new era for Ilvaris. Either one of peace and equality, or one where the courts will demand retribution for my actions.

I remind myself to breathe.

I clap my hands together for attention.

"What a year. We've been at least thrice blessed, made so many lasting friendships, and faced adversity only to come back stronger."

"Stronger," they echo, lifting their glasses or clapping.

"A year ago, we opened a contest. It was a jest, at first, but every court has played, and it's only right to properly judge it. I was to receive crowns from all courts, and choose my favorite—for a day-to-day crown, less cumbersome than my mother's lovely piece." I tap the imposing crown on top of my head, glad this is the very last time I'll ever wear it.

It can collect dust in a museum, where it belongs, after tonight.

Loch enters then, carrying a box that he places at my feet.

"Before I announce who won, there's one thing I would like to tell you all as we enter the second year of my rule. I've learned so much about this world I love in so little time. Its many rules, its very nature. I think I see it a little more clearly now. And I also see myself. At the risk of making you all try to skewer me with pointy things again, I will change one of our traditions."

There are several laughs, including the bright queen's.

Attempting to kill me is now so unlikely it's a joke. I grin.

"Over the last year, I've made a point to spend time in each court. I've travelled to silver and blood, and the sea court, and the winter court, the night court, and of course the wild." I gesture to the leaders of each court as I name them. "I loved it all. Cissa hosted a revel worthy of Bacchus, and in Night, I learned to hear the song of the stars. And I findI prefer the leaves. I prefer the flowers. I prefer summer, and order and rules, over chaos, and roots, and wildness, and darkness." I incline my head toward my own mate, who watches me curiously, trying to see my point. "As much as I can love you, I don't understand unseelie folks. I am not their dark queen. I am seelie."

The seelie rulers cheer and dance, screaming “our queen!” while everyone else stares on, dumbfounded.

"Well, you already have your king, my friends," I remind them.

I lift the box's lid, and the crowd gasps when I reveal the two crowns inside; one of silver points, with thousands of diamonds reflecting the light, and the other, dark leaves and thorns, with red rubies.

I snap my fingers, and my crown is on my head, so much lighter and simpler, yet still designed with the same shape as my mother’s. I was distraught to realize that it truly was my favorite. The old crone had good taste—and a much sturdier head than mine.

Ryther's favorite is now on his head.

I was never going to be impartial. It's impossible for me to rule both sides with the same authority. And quite frankly? I don't want to.

Yes, Ilvaris had one high queen for five centuries because Morrigan was apparently neutral. I am not, and I'm done placating both sides—especially by letting them tell me who I should screw to make a point.

There's only one man I want in my bed. My equal. My mate. The high king of Ilvaris.

"Tomorrow, the unseelie council and seelie council will gather separately. The next day, we'll all meet together, to discuss the decisions we've come to."

I've divided and united the world all at once.

Ryther shakes his head in both disbelief and amusement.

You truly want to get assassinated, don't you?

I grin. They've tried before.

Meanwhile, the crowd roars its approval. I don't delude myself: if I appear weak, if I give in to unseelie demands, this will create a problem. But I don't intend to. I'm going to fight my mate with all my strength, until one of us folds by day, and let him hate-fuck me by night.

I'd say until death do us part, but Thanatos would never.

"You're insane," he whispers when he gets to me.

"And you're high king."

I make him sit first, and climb on his lap. "We'll have to get you a throne."

"I don't know. I quite like yours," he says, pressing me against him. "Fuck, Darina, you realize we're always going to be at odds now. If we have the same authority, and represent each side."

I roll my eyes. "What else is new?"

When I proposed the change to Loch, I expected him to shoot down the idea immediately, but he assured me it was the best decision. "You've never agreed to unseelie demands outright. Your seelie is showing. Might as well make it official, before one of your mate's lords figures it out and murders you."

While I'm harder to kill now, I'd rather not have to watch my back every day again. Playing the part of the prey isn't much fun.

Well, except when Ryther chases.