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Clarissa

THREE MONTHS LATER

“ W hy am I not surprised to find you here, on today of all days?”

I looked up from my desk to see Leo leaning against the doorframe of my office, his eyebrows quirked in that semi-judgmental but always loving expression he wore so well.

I waved him off. “Just finishing the paperwork for the accords with Mysthelm. I’ll be there in a second.”

“Rissa, literally everyone here is waiting for you. This will still be right where you left it when it’s over.”

With a sigh, I set the parchment down and glanced at the gown hanging from the door that led to my bedchamber. The solid gold fabric trailed down and pooled in waves on the floor. Pleats with thousands of glittering gold beads cascaded from the fitted bodice.

“You know when it feels like every decision you’ve ever made all leads to this one thing? But when the time finally comes, it’s like you’re looking over the top of a hill,” I said quietly, still staring at the dress as I ran a finger along my lip. “And the only place to go is down.”

“What are you talking about?” Leo stepped into the office, flicking the door closed behind him with his tail.

“Take it from someone who’s known you your entire life: there’s only one direction you know how to go.

And that’s up . I’ve never seen anything you’ve been unable to take on.

You started an entire rebellion when you were twenty-two, for Fates’ sake.

And now look at you, six years later and you’re about to be crowned the youngest empress in history. ”

He reached my desk and pulled me from the seat as my head rolled back on my shoulders in defiance. “I don’t think there’s a single mountain you can’t climb. You don’t have to be worried about looking down.”

“And what makes you so confident?”

“Because,” that half-smirk of his worked its way onto his face, “you’re my big sister.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the smile that formed. “First Rose, now you. When did the two of you get so good at motivational speeches? Aren’t you the grumpy one?”

“Blame it on Rose. I drew the short straw, and she made me come talk to you.”

I chuckled. “Now, that sounds more likely.”

“Come on,” he said, heading back to the door. “Get dressed. You’ve been running this empire for a year—it’s about time we finally got that crown on your head.”

I heard trumpets echoing down the hall before I even reached the throne room.

The swishing of skirts against hardwood floor, the chatter fading to a dull whisper as anticipation swept through the crowd just beyond the double doors.

I couldn’t see them yet, but I could smell the plethora of perfumes mingling in the air, the crisp scent of autumn leaves lingering on cloaks, the recently waxed floors and fresh coat of paint we’d added three days ago.

I made my way down the corridor, which was empty save for a handful of guards and the seven members of my council. I had to admit, they all cleaned up rather nicely in their matching emerald Veridian robes.

I caught my reflection in one of the decorative mirrors near the door.

The neckline of my gown plunged low into the gold, fitted bodice.

A sheer cape attached at the shoulders and flowed down to my wrists, extending whenever I moved my arms. The myriad of gold jewels caught the light and scattered across the floor as I approached the council.

“You look beautiful, Your Majesty,” Lord Cabot said, bowing low. Several of the others murmured in agreement, while Lord Stryker caught my eye and inclined his head ever so slightly.

I suppressed a smirk. He likely knew today marked his final day on the council.

It had officially been a year since I became the empress-elect. A year since Gayl died and our empire was thrown into turmoil. A year that I’d had to cater to the whims of these men, ruling with what slack the law deigned to give me in our time of transition.

I’d proven myself. I’d done what was asked of me. Now, it was time to claim what was mine. To rebuild the legacy that was stolen from my father and bring peace back to a land drenched in decades of division. There was a long road ahead of me and more questions than answers. But I was ready.

Leo was right. It was finally time.

“On your word, Your Majesty,” Lord Temvaren said.

I nodded. “Open the doors.”

Two guards pulled the handles of the double doors, revealing the throne room packed with guests.

The governors from every province and their families had been invited—although Kane Scarven declined, as expected.

Everything had been silent on that front for three months now.

No more suspicious notes, no threats, no assassination attempts. I supposed Nox was keeping him busy.

It seemed like the entirety of Veridia City was in attendance. Members of nobility gazed back at me from both sides of a long aisle, their hair perfectly curled and styled, their gowns and cloaks made of the finest silks.

But what held my attention were the rows and rows of townspeople from the south sector.

The sight of worn linen shirts and pressed cotton dresses, hair pulled back from tan and wrinkled faces, hands callused from years of hard work as they carefully took off their caps in respect.

I saw Dippy, our favorite old bartender from the Drakin’s Lair, and his wife and five children.

Mali, the shopkeeper of the dress salon we frequented, with Angeline, the baker from down the street who made the best cream dumplings.

The butcher and the team of Veridia City reporters next to Rothy from Rose’s favorite tea house.

A lump formed in my throat as I took in their familiar, comforting faces. The faces of the people I was pledging my life to serve. The faces of the people who’d watched me grow up, from an uncontrollable little Shifter to the leader of their rebellion.

The trumpets on the outer edges of the room blared again. One by one, the members of my council descended the green-draped aisle. Only when they were all standing in a line at the opposite end of the throne room did I step onto the carpet.

All eyes fell on me.

Their weight sank into my skin as I walked. The weight of their expectations, of their needs and desires and concerns. But it wasn’t a burden. It was a privilege . An honor I’d spend my life making sure I lived up to.

As I passed the middle of the aisle, the faces became more and more familiar.

My old Sentinels. Ones who followed me into hell itself in order to fight for those who couldn’t defend themselves.

Chaz and Lark—my closest confidants and dearest friends.

Chaz beamed at me as he crossed his arms, his chest puffed out with pride.

Lark sat in her wheelchair at his side. Her black hair was in a long braid down her back, and she clutched a handkerchief that was already streaked with dark makeup.

In over a decade, I didn’t think I’d ever seen the woman cry.

The only one missing was Nox—but he had his hands full in Drakorum. And with a certain Shadow Wielder .

A row ahead of them stood Rose, Leo, and my mother.

A burning sensation pinched the bridge of my nose and my eyes.

I never expected Mother to be here for this.

For so long, we’d given up hope that she’d return to us after her mind faded beyond repair.

I’d come to terms with the fact that it would just be Leo and me for the rest of our lives.

But here she was. A miracle. The wrinkles around her eyes deepened with a smile as I passed, and the look of pride shining back at me was almost enough to make me stop in my tracks.

And when I saw her holding Marigold’s hand, the lump in my throat grew bigger.

Marigold waved and pointed excitedly to the flower crown on top of her head.

I grinned back at her. She had blossomed since they moved here.

The first couple of weeks were an adjustment, but the palace staff worshipped her.

Within the month, she was bounding through the kitchens with the other children, traipsing in the gardens and giving her father heart attacks by climbing the tall forest trees.

Rose and Leo were already Aunt Rose and Uncle Monkey—Rose’s highest accomplishment to date—and she’d even called my mother Grandma Eva a couple of times.

She’d been scared about losing her family, but she’d gained a bigger one than she’d ever imagined.

My eyes met ones of icy blue right as the music of the trumpets swelled and I neared the end of the aisle.

When Thorne gazed back at me, the world disappeared.

A slow smile curved beneath his beard, and I felt the roughness of it like a ghost on my skin.

Just three months ago, I’d been walking down a very different aisle to a very different man, wishing it were him.

And one day it would be. But today, I was walking to my destiny—and he was at my side, as he always was.

My steady, immovable rock. My anchor when the storms breached.

I took a step up the raised dais. The hall was silent, save for the rustle of the priest’s cloak in front of me as he walked forward holding a golden scepter and sword.

I took a deep breath .

The priest placed the scepter and sword in my outstretched hands, then raised his voice.

“Clarissa Valienne Aris, daughter of Emperor Branock Aris, the nineteenth Emperor of the Veridian Empire, chosen by the Fates and leader of our people. Do you swear by the Fates to rule with justice, wisdom, and strength?”

“I do,” I answered.

“Do you swear to uphold the laws and ideals of the Veridian Empire, to lead our people with mercy and truth, and to protect this land from those who seek us harm?”

“I do.”

He took the emblems from me and set them to the side, then turned to the pillar behind him. On top of it rested a green cushion with a delicate gold crown inlaid with a dozen sparkling emeralds. He carefully lifted the crown and faced me once more.

“Look upon your people, Your Majesty,” he said, in a whisper this time. A tingling sensation prickled down my spine, goosebumps rising on my skin. Slowly, I turned on my heel.

“Then, by the will and power of the Fates, I anoint you, Clarissa Valienne Aris, the twenty-first Empress of the Veridian Empire.”

The crown settled atop my head.

I looked out into the crowd—my family, my people, my empire.

And I smiled.