Page 64 of Raven Rebel (Sablewood #1)

“Thank you,” she stammered, still reeling from the revelation.

The banquet hall was bursting with nobles, far more than the night they had met. It felt much the same, but there was a nervous energy among the people who stood when they entered.

Emrys raised his hand in greeting, and cheers broke out. Her cheeks tingled with a blush at all the attention. Her new husband led her to a raised table at the end of the hall.

Musicians played soft music as they were served a fine dinner, despite the late hour.

She ate venison glazed with berries and roasted mushrooms, along a pudding of roasted, sugared hazelnuts.

Emrys distracted her from her meal frequently as he kissed her any time a guest was not visiting their table to wish them well.

And most nobles in attendance made sure to pay their respects, no doubt trying to earn good standing with the future rulers.

The army commander, Herrick, wished them well and presented her with a jeweled dagger. It was lovely, but she was relieved when an attendant whisked it away.

Aletris approached, a courtly smile in place. She expressed her joy at their union and offered Emrys a sun charm with a bit of sunlight trapped inside of it. The carved crystal gleamed at his neck, showing the favor of the Summer Court.

Galen visited long enough to thank her for healing. Emrys dismissed him quickly, and Brenna squeezed his hand in reprimand. He took the opportunity to pull her closer and nibble on her neck.

With a goblet of sparkling elderberry wine, Brenna strolled the room with Emrys beside her. She knew her sister was not in attendance, but she couldn’t help but look for her. Emrys leaned in close, his voice smooth. “Will you dance with me?”

Exhaustion pressed upon her, so she was grateful for the gentle music. Emrys’s grip never faltered, and he turned her gently, mostly holding her tight against him. She could fall asleep standing, tucked into his arms.

When she yawned for the third time, he insisted they retire to their rooms. They left the room to continue dancing and eating, and he led her down the hall to his chambers. She would keep her own rooms for now, but she had no intention of sleeping in them ever again.

There was a cozy familiarity to slipping her dress off while her new husband shrugged his jacket off and unfastened the jewels at his cuffs.

She bit her lip while selecting a small wisp of night dress in dark red, his favorite color.

They only had a few hours before the coronation, but it was their wedding night.

Excited heat fluttered in her stomach as she turned to face him, but the worried line of his mouth changed her mood in a split second.

“What?”

He dropped his head, dragging his hand through his hair. “I got word during our dinner. Your sister has fled.”

She had ignored her worries all evening, reassuring herself that Meara was safely locked in the palace and away from any harm until Brenna could sort out the mess she landed herself in.

But that wasn’t the case. And she should have known Meara wouldn’t tolerate being locked in a cage, no matter how short the time was or how comfortable the cage.

She swore, clutching her middle, trying to breathe through the panic.

“How?” she spluttered.

“They don’t know. No one seems to know anything.” He shook his head, his expression pained. “I’m sorry, my love.”

“Are you sure she left on her own? Or would someone have taken her to hurt her? Or hurt us?” Her fingers pressed to her lips.

“There is no reason to think anyone forced her to leave. There would have been signs of a struggle, and she has her shadow craft.”

She stared at the window, where the curtains were pulled back to reveal the night sky. Emrys stepped closer, placed an arm over her shoulders and pulled her against him.

“Did you give her my letter explaining?”

Emrys nodded. “It was placed in her room. I do not know if she chose to read it.” Brenna exhaled harshly, resting her head back against him.“We will find her. But first, we must gain the power we need to protect her.” He kissed her hair. “Besides, this isn’t the first time she’s run off.”

Irritation sent warmth through her body, but he was right, Brenna realized. This was becoming a habit for Meara. She chose to run instead of trusting her. Turning in his arms, she nestled against Emrys' chest. His hands stroked her hair and down her back, soothing her.

“It will be okay,” he said softly. “I love you, and I know she is important to you, so she is important to me.”

“Thank you,” she whispered as he pinched her jaw in his fingers and raised her mouth to meet his. There was a solemness to their movements. This bond was no longer simple passion.

Partnership and a responsibility to their people had deepened the significance behind their relationship.

Bound by magic and now by vows, she felt the deep meaning in each touch of his fingers on her skin, each time he pressed his lips to her body.

She let her devotion show in how she returned his affection.

The sunrise rose from a blood red to a pale daffodil as Brenna waited in the throne room. She stood tall, putting forth a confidence she did not feel. The corset built into her dress kept her back straight, and she was grateful for its snug embrace.

She wore the same dress as the first time they were presented at court, not so long ago - when she had met Emrys. It was her favorite, with a multitude of fabric wildflowers cascading down her body. It looked regal, and she felt like a princess. Soon to be a queen.

Emrys held her hand, though it was the only place they touched. He wore a burgundy doublet stitched with gold. Matching gold rings glinted in his ears. They made a stunning pair.

The throne room was full to bursting with nobles and citizens of the high king’s court, all anxious to see a new king crowned. The seer was present, her hair braided and pinned back now.

“Come forward and present yourself,” the seer said. Emrys took a step, and Brenna followed his lead. They stopped before her, their backs to the crowd of witnesses.

As she raised her hands, those gathered hushed.

“Do you swear to uphold the law of our lands, provide counsel to the rulers of each court, keep the peace between them, and care for all of the faeries that will be your subjects?”

“I do,” Emrys said.

Brenna drew in breath and raised her chin. “I do, as well.”

“Very well.”

An attendant provided the seer with a thick cord made of many strands of different colors: solid black, pale pink, intense orange, metallic gold, solid white, stone gray. The seer raised the cord high for all to see.

“With this, I bind you to all of the fae courts, for you will lead and serve all of them equally.”

Emrys raised their intertwined hands and the seer wrapped the cord around their wrists, tying them together with a complex knot. She took a vessel and dabbed a sweet smelling liquid to their foreheads, between their brows and at their temples.

“I anoint you as the chosen leaders of this realm, per the loyalty of the courts and the magic of the land.”

Anticipation tensed in Brenna’s chest, leaving her breaths shallow and uneven. The moment had come, and she wasn’t sure that she had truly believed it would happen.

The seer held up a crown of delicate gold filigree studded with rubies. Brenna ducked her head and allowed it to be placed over her curls. Its weight was strange.

Emrys was next. A crown of gold stained with black. The carved details stood out in gilded relief, surrounded by shadow. He smiled as it was placed upon his black hair.

The seer raised both of her hands, and Brenna jolted as her eyes went white. The voice that poured from her lips was both high and deep, like a chorus speaking in perfect harmony.

“Blood weds flame, two rival lines entwined,

Fire to heal and fire to consume,

As the blood of the people feeds the land,

Shadows rise and darkness looms.

One sister destined to rule, the other to shatter the throne,

Bound by blood, by choice, and by fate. ”

She came out of her trance with a small gasp. She turned, raising her hands, and declared, “I give you the Fire Queen and her Blood King.”