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Chapter Thirty-six

Asteria

Not a day later, I found myself getting ready for my introduction to the people of Night. Anyone who could make it on time would be here. All to see their future queen.

Delia helped me get ready, and Priscilla assisted her, insisting it was good luck at this point to have her present. It made me smile, seeing her desire to continue this tradition. I enjoyed having the time together, so I would never argue against it.

Delia allowed me to leave my hair long and straight, but fitted a crown on my head that had me pulling a sharp breath in. It was made of silverium, and had the phases of the moon across it. The moon phases on each side tilted up slightly, leading up to what should have been the full moon in the middle, but instead held up a star at the highest point of the crown that was made completely of star opal. Each moon was outlined in star opal as well, and under the moon phases, the base of the crown itself had gems across its band. In addition to star opal and diamond, little golden gems were worked in, in what I knew was another nod to Day Kingdom, on top of the silverium.

Calix had gotten this crown made for me, knowing I’d need a crown for each kingdom. To properly represent the people, he’d said, at least for now. The fact he’d put so much of Day into it was touching, especially since he knew Day’s crown would have none of Night. That he cared so much to represent me as a person meant so much.

Priscilla finished my makeup, giving me glittering touches of silver on my face and outlining my eyes in dark kohl. My lips were painted a dark plum and looked perfect with the rest of the look.

Delia brought the dress out, and I finally got to see it for the first time since Ilta discussed the emergency rush job with the seamstress. I had no idea how she’d done it, but she’d made magic happen.

They helped me put it on, and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing—from the tip of my crown to the pointed ears and starlit eyes to the dress…

I let my wings out for the full effect, and I heard a gasp. Calix walked in, his eyes darkened as he looked me over. I cut my eyes to Delia and Priscilla, who both smiled slyly before rushing out, Delia winking at me quickly.

Calix’s eyes took in every inch of me. The dress was admittedly gorgeous. A purple layer was underneath, and the top layers were made to mimic starlight. Sparkling silver that moved with me and made me shine like an actual star. The purple showed through more on top, where the sweetheart neckline was accented by the jewelry that cut across my chest in long multilayered strands from my shoulders, which were bare. It was an off-the-shoulder style, with long bell sleeves that shifted from purple to silver. The bodice had a corset built in, with a triangle of star opals from my neckline to the midline of the bodice, and the boning of the corset had diamonds sparkling down it, as well as across the neckline to where the sleeves sat on my shoulders.

Since the skirt had so many layers, it had a hint of purple at the top but was mostly just pure starlight. Where the two met, however, looked like starlight twinkling over the night sky, just like on the bodice. With my wings out, the silver scales shining with the purple edges and veins, I finally looked like the Star Queen everyone kept calling me.

Ethereal. Magical. Starlit.

Calix clearly agreed, growling low as he approached. I backed up to the wall, despite the thrill of arousal that rushed through me at how wild he looked right now.

“Save it for the after party, my dorchadas,” I purred, raising a brow. “I won’t let you destroy this dress. In fact, you should go get dressed yourself.”

He was still in his regular clothes, and I knew he wouldn’t get away with wearing that with Baach and Ilta in charge.

“I don’t need to destroy the dress to have you, my réalta.” He smirked, stalking toward me, a long fang exposed and making me clench my thighs together. I couldn’t stop my arousal. It was a helpless fight.

And he knew that, the bastard.

He undid his pants slowly, and I watched as that long, thick, hard cock bounced free from its confines. I licked my lips, barely noticing the rest of his clothing hitting the floor.

And then I found myself in the air, my dress pushed up, and my legs around his waist as he thrust into me. I grappled for a hold on his shoulders, my wings surging forward slightly, but Calix kept us locked in place, holding me up with my thighs spread wide around him, his cock deep inside me.

He pulled his hips back before thrusting back in hard and fast. My cunt clenched down wildly, my moans uncontrollable as I called his name.

“That's it, my réalta,” he purred, nipping my neck. “Squeeze me hard.”

I did as he instructed, unable to help myself. My claws dug into his shoulders, as his dug into my hips. His thrusts were so hard that every time he pushed in, he hit something deep inside me, making me scream. It felt so good, and I couldn’t stop myself from mumbling it over and over.

His own wings ripped free, and suddenly we were unmoored, completely in the air with the wall and floor nowhere to be found. I was very grateful for the high arched ceiling in my room, giving us enough room to not hit our heads.

He used the freedom to contort me, my back arching backward, putting me nearly upside down, with my hips high in the air to meet his thrusts. The angle felt incredible as his cock filled me up deep.

“There you go,” he rumbled. “I know how much you desire control, but you know as well as I do you don’t want it here.”

I moaned in disagreement, knowing it was the truth, but not willing to admit it.

“Don’t lie, my réalta.” He tutted. “I knew it that day in the Hedone room. You were all too willing to be my little fuck doll. To let me do whatever I wanted to you.”

I screamed as he thrust in hard, rubbing my clit with his shadows in tandem. His words somehow only made me wetter. As much as I longed for control over my life, sex was the one place I enjoyed losing it completely. As long as I trusted the person it was to.

“Hmm.” Calix hummed in a deep rasp. “You know you’ll enjoy it, so you don’t mind giving me complete control. You’ll let me do every wicked, depraved thing your mind and mine can come up with, won’t you?”

I nodded, sobbing in pleasure as his cock seemed to widen, and I realized he was partially shifting to his dragon form. His cock grew longer and thicker, and I swore I lost my mind at that moment.

He laughed darkly, “I promise you, I’ll show you every one. This is only the beginning, my réalta. I have centuries to show you every way there is to find pleasure. Every way there is to make this dripping little cunt cum for me.”

“Fuck!” I sobbed, my cunt clenching down rapidly, again and again, his words, the giant fucking cock splitting me open, the shadows taunting my clit— who the fuck knew what . But my orgasm slammed into me with the force of a comet, completely untethered in the air.

Calix swore as I came around him, pumping a couple more times before he spilled into me with a shout.

As he pulled out slowly, I whimpered from the extra stretch caused by his momentary increase in size.

He held me still as he flew us down slightly, but my wings and his strength kept me airborne. He kept my legs open as he slotted his shoulders between them, and lightly ran his tongue up my cunt, making me twitch.

He laughed slightly, blowing air on me and making me sigh softly in pleasure. He cleaned me up with his tongue, and I ran my fingernails gently through his hair as he did so. Enjoying the blissful moment as my eyes shut.

My eyes opened when we suddenly landed, and Calix put me on my feet. He chuckled, leaning down to kiss me softly. “Can’t let you fall asleep.”

I batted lightly at his chest, yawning slightly. “Your fault.”

“I’ll accept that.” He nodded with a sly smile before looking over my dress. “And look, not a wrinkle.”

I looked down, and sure enough, the dress was just as perfect as before. Calix straightened my crown softly, but everything else was perfectly intact, thanks to the Fae magic that kept our hair and makeup in place. It was a necessity when they tended to get wild at every party.

“Okay, now I need to get dressed.” Calix chuckled, and I rolled my eyes at him, shooing him away.

* * *

Calix came back to collect me, but by that time, I had worked myself into a panic.

“Asteria?” he called, walking into my rooms.

“Yes?” I called back nervously, wishing we could postpone this.

“Ready?” he asked, and I swallowed hard, not answering.

He came around the corner into my bedroom, where I was sitting on my bed.

“Asteria?” He tilted his head, confusion in his eyes.

“What if I can’t do this?” I asked, wringing my hands in my lap. “Not just this, but all of it? Being queen? What in Tartarus do I know about being a queen? By the Otherworld, I was a human a couple of months ago!”

“Asteria—”

“What if I mess everything up?” I continued, panicking more by the second. “What if they all hate me? What if?—”

“Asteria!” He shook me gently by the shoulders, and I looked up with wide, frightened eyes.

“Calix…” I trailed off, lost. Everything had hit me at once. All the pressure, all the things people were expecting of me. Where I had come from, and how little I was prepared for any of this.

He kneeled before me, taking my hands in his and squeezing. His eyes were kind and gentle when I met them, not a trace of panic or doubt within them.

“I know this is all a lot for you.” He began. “But I have no doubt that you will be everything we need and more. Not because you were raised to be queen, but because you weren’t.”

I cocked my head in confusion, opening my mouth, but he put a finger over my lips, silently asking me to wait.

“You have always been stronger than you know. You dealt with your magic and emotions locked up in ways no one else has ever had to. You were forced to grow up enslaved, despite what you should have had. You persevered, despite all the odds against you, because you refused to follow the status quo. You listened to your heart, and it told you that it was wrong . Despite everyone else telling you otherwise, you listened to that inner voice inside you, and you fought to get yourself out of a bad situation that everyone else told you to accept.”

My eyes started to water without my permission. The way Calix explained it sounded much grander than how I viewed it. I was headstrong and stubborn, and never truly thought about the consequences.

“That is why you will be an amazing queen, my réalta.” He smiled, and I was momentarily taken aback by how beautiful he was when he smiled like that. He was always gorgeous, but that smile— damn .

“You will never allow the status quo to continue if you know it’s wrong. You won’t listen to advice you know is bad. You will follow that golden heart of yours. One lit by the sun, that shines in the stars, and glows against the night. It will always lead you right. And the people will love you for it. You think they love me?” He shook his head.

“Those humans out there, they only love me because I abolished slavery. Something I only did because of you .” He took one of my hands he was holding and flattened it against his heart. “ Your sense of right and wrong was so strong, it bled through a bond that was blocked by magic and sunk itself into me . It’s one of the many reasons I love you. And it’s why they will love you, too.”

He lifted our joined hands and brought them to my cheek, wiping away my tears. I sniffed, leaning into him. Our foreheads met, and we sat like that for a moment as I composed myself.

When I leaned back and nodded with a slight smile, he tilted my head back for a quick kiss, then smiled, pulling me up with him.

“Now, are you ready, love?” he asked gently, and I smiled back, nodding.

“Now I am.”

* * *

I could hear the commotion from the throne room as we stood in the antechamber, waiting to be announced.

To my surprise, Calix had chosen to make a statement and forewent his usual court attire. Instead, he was in full armor. Though, his crown was still on his head, and his wings were spread wide behind me. He’d instructed me to leave mine out as well for the duration.

I understood the reasoning. Wings present in Fae form were something few had. Only those of royal blood could summon them. Making it clear to everyone present exactly who I was.

As the herald announced us, I listened in particular to how I was introduced.

“ Crown Princess Asteria Faelynn Earendel. The Gods Chosen Heir to Day Kingdom. Mate of the King of Night Kingdom. The Star Queen of Celesterra!”

Calix and I walked out; my arm twined around his. I took a deep breath, swallowing hard at the number of people in the room. I thanked Nox the ceiling was open to the stars because otherwise the room would feel horribly tight right now with the number of people packed inside.

Fae and humans alike were everywhere. I spotted several I knew: the lords and ladies of Night, some people I’d met around the city, and even some of the soldiers I’d trained with in the yard. But it was overwhelming, nonetheless.

Calix, sensing my distress, sent me his love and pride down the bond in a wave that distracted me immediately. I sighed in relief as the panic receded, and I let Calix lead me to where his throne waited on the dais. The massive dragon throne was still a wonder to look upon, and I realized that the runes above the throne in shining silver began to actually glow as we neared.

Huh. Maybe my Fae eyesight could pick it up where my human eyes couldn’t.

We reached the dais and walked up the steps to it, watching my feet to ensure I didn’t do something completely embarrassing and trip. I’d have to hide for the rest of my life if that happened.

Calix led me right to the dragon throne, taking my hand and leading me to sit on it. I was surprised, blinking at him for a moment. He winked at me, and a burst of confidence came through the bond. He moved to stand beside the throne, his hand resting on the dragon hilt of his sheathed blade.

Standing there in his armor, he looked quite imposing. His long silvery-white hair was down to his chest, with his pointed ears poking through on each side. His purple eyes watched the crowd intently. His sharp cheekbones gave an edge to his look, but plush lips softened it slightly. He was the most gorgeous warrior king in history. I was positive of that.

“Citizens of Night Kingdom,” Calix called out, the crowd hushing to listen as their king spoke. “From Tairngire and beyond! I thank you all for coming on such short notice. As your king, I want you to know I appreciate every single one of you putting in the effort to be here with us for this historic moment.”

They hung onto his every word. His charisma came through in spades, and I nearly laughed remembering when I first met him and put a knife to his throat. He used that charismatic personality to disarm me, and I knew now I’d never stood a chance.

“Today, I introduce you all to the future queen!” he exclaimed, somewhat haughtily. “Of Night Kingdom, and of Day Kingdom!”

The crowd gasped, and looked around at one another.

“Yes, you heard me correctly,” Calix confirmed, a growing smirk on his face. “For years, we have awaited the culmination of my birth prophecy.”

“Darkness sweeps across the land

To bring new order to Fae and Man.

A light to brighten his darkness be the king’s fate

Blood will seep and unveil his mate.

An eclipsed star lost who must be found

The power of two will be her crown.

Together, they will usher in a new age

Though not without a war to wage.

A queen of stars and a king of night

Are the only hope to see the world made right.”

He quoted the words with a sense of gravitas I envied, the crowd eating out of his hand.

“The Star Queen was unveiled as promised! The power of the Day Kingdom’s crown is hers by right of blood and by order of the gods!” He thundered, “And as my soulmate, the crown of Night is hers to wear!”

“The power of two!” Someone in the crowd shouted, followed by another.

A chill went down my spine, but I forced myself to lounge comfortably back on the throne, my wings extending out over the edges.

“Yes. A Queen of Stars and a King of Night, are the only hope to see the world made right,” Calix reiterated, and I swallowed as the pressure on my chest increased. But I let Calix’s confidence soothe me.

He turned his head to me and nodded, and I turned my attention to the crowd.

“People of Night Kingdom!” I called out, suppressing a shudder at so many sets of eyes staring back at me. “I promise I will serve you. I will protect you. And I will love you. You gave me a home when I was lost, and it was here that I truly found myself. Night will always be my home, and I will fight for it more fiercely than any queen has before.”

The reference to the prophecy had them excited, but my last words had them chanting Star Queen in a way that brought a glimmer of tears to my eyes.

“The war has come,” I told them heavily once they quieted, and I stood from the throne, stepping toward the edge of the dais. Calix’s pride beat within my soul, keeping me going. “A war that will define the course of Celesterra forever. Both of our birth prophecies spoke of what our destiny entailed, and one thing was made perfectly clear. Together, Calix and I will face what comes, and I promise you here and now, I will not stop until we defeat those who would bring chaos and death to this world! I will fight and fight again. I will not falter. Not until the war is won, for all of us!”

Loud cheers followed my words, some chanting my title once more, others screaming in joy. I took a deep breath, taking it all in. Calix came and took my hand, and the crowd went even more insane.

Calix brought them back to order with a raised hand. “We thank you all for coming for your future queen’s introduction. To celebrate this historic day, we invite you all to stay for the ball!”

Cheers sounded as a sudden gust of wind swept into the room dramatically. Baach was there, having opened the double doors, winking at us as he directed people out so they could transform the space. They were all invited outside or to the other hall for cocktails, ensuring no one felt bored as they waited.

As tables and chairs were brought into the throne room, I slumped back onto the throne itself, finally feeling a weight lifted off me. Calix chuckled. “See, it wasn’t as bad as you imagined, right?”

I narrowed my eyes at him jokingly, but a smile cracked through. “No, it was okay.”

“Okay?” He gasped dramatically, before turning serious. “You did amazing. They love you already.”

“They shouldn’t.” I countered, raising a brow. “I haven’t done anything yet.”

He went to one knee in front of the throne, careful not to bump his sword, and put a hand on my knee. “You promised to fight for them. That you would keep fighting. You told them this was your home. That they are your people. Knowing that you’re the heir to Day, that by right, they should be your people. You have no idea how much that meant to them.”