Page 97 of Once the Skies Fade (Immortal Reveries #2)
Chapter 97
Matthias
T wo days later, I followed Calla onto the dais in the Great Hall with Isa and Phillip on either side of me.
Given the short notice, we had expected the crowd to be lighter than typical citizens’ forums, but Calla’s disappointment flowed freely across the bond. She shot a look over her shoulder at me, and I offered as reassuring a smile as I could muster, relieved when her nerves calmed. Turning back to the crowd, she folded her hands lightly in front of her and lifted her chin.
“Our kingdom has suffered much this past year,” Calla said, her voice strong and unwavering. “The killing of first our king and queen and then my husband”—she paused briefly, inhaling slowly before she continued—“left us deep in grief, uncertain about our future, and—at least for me—in search of answers. Some of those answers have recently been uncovered, and while they have brought some much-needed peace and healing, they have also left us with some unexpected vacancies to fill here at the castle. Today, before you all, we will be announcing the successors for two of these prominent roles.”
Whispers spread among the gathered fae, but it was impossible to determine how they were receiving her words. She ushered Isa forward, and I swallowed hard, as if my heart had actually leapt into my throat. Isa’s head slowly swiveled as she gazed out at the crowd, one hand held behind her back while the other rested on her sword. Every fae in the room lifted their eyes to her, leaning forward as if her words were a whisper instead of the natural boom of a leader.
“As you all know, these past weeks we have hosted a tournament to select our next king. Despite the risks of these games, twelve males from both Arenysen and Emeryn stepped forward to test their strength, courage, and wisdom. Two proved their abilities to act both swiftly and admirably, showing not only the fortitude to rule but also the heart to do what is right when others wouldn’t. Of those twelve, two consistently displayed the necessary qualities, placing them at the top of the ranks. In the end, though, only one could be crowned the victor and the new king. That male is General Matthias Orelian of Emeryn!”
Phillip’s elbow nudged mine, and he offered me a warm smile. Though he’d been unconscious when the bond had formed between Calla and me, he’d quickly learned of it from the staff during his healing. While Calla had been okay with introducing me as her mate, Isa had insisted it better to focus on my winning the tournament.
“Congratulations,” Phillip whispered out of the corner of his mouth as he turned forward.
My heart hammered away behind my sternum. I’d faced evil forests and deadly monsters—I’d fought in battles and stood up to mobs—yet my nerves refused to calm until I caught Calla’s wry smile. With a steadying breath, I stepped forward. As I made my way around the throne, my footsteps echoed through the quiet room, as heavy and loud as my pulse in my ears. I stopped to face Isa and Calla, wondering what everyone must have been thinking.
Isa continued. “General Orelian, upon arrival, you swore an oath, pledging your loyalty to our kingdom and our queen. You have shown—throughout every trial, and beyond—that you should be the next king of Arenysen. Are you prepared to fulfill your oath and rule beside Her Majesty, Calla Vael?”
“I am,” I said, sending my voice echoing off the high ceilings. The crowd released a collective sigh, and a few individuals started to clap, but Isa quieted them with a placating wave of her hand.
“Queen Vael,” she said, turning to Calla, who stepped forward slightly. “You, too, swore an oath, pledging your loyalty to the victor of the tournament. Are you prepared to fulfill your oath and accept Matthias Orelian as your king?”
Calla hesitated, and those gathered leaned forward even more, a hush falling over them as they waited. Slowly her shadows slipped from her palms. Someone gasped, which nearly made me chuckle, but the dark tendrils floated to me, wrapping around my hands to lure me to her. Slipping her hands into mine, she pulled her shadows tightly around our entwined fingers and whispered, “I am.”
Applause swept through the crowd. Someone whistled.
Leaning toward Isa, I whispered, “Are we supposed to kiss or something?”
Isa shrugged. “You’re our future king. I’m pretty sure that means you get to do whatever you want.”
Calla clicked her tongue. “Nope. Only once he’s officially king. In the meantime, I get to do whatever I want.”
I didn’t get a chance to utter my brilliant retort, because she was already yanking me to her and pressing her lips to mine in a respectable yet somehow still sensual kiss.